County · North Carolina
Avery County, North Carolina
Avery County, North Carolina. Avery County had 18,110 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.7% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 9 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 37011.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,110
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,806 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,680
Median household income
$61,428
±$7,429 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$265,800
±$21,887 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$773
±$106 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Avery County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,806 residents in Avery County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,110 for July 1, 2025, up 1.7% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 17,680 over 247 square miles of land.
| Measure | Avery County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,680 | 10,730,404 | +174 |
| Households | 6,791±375 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.12 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,201±56 | 4,895,668 | no clear change |
Avery County's population since 2000
From 17,167 in 2000 to 18,110 in 2025: up 5.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Avery County?
Avery County holds 9 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Banner Elk with 1,242 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Banner Elk | 1,049 | $86,382 |
|---|---|---|
| Newland | 715 | $46,006 |
| Elk ParkGEOID 3720700 | 542 | $41,583 |
| Sugar Mountain | 371 | $96,094 |
| LinvilleGEOID 3738420 | 283 | $75,833 |
| CrossnoreGEOID 3715580 | 143 | not published |
| Grandfather VillageGEOID 3727324 | 95 | $191,875 |
| Beech Mountain | 675 | $90,855 |
| Seven DevilsGEOID 3760505 | 313 | $111,667 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Avery County?
The median resident of Avery County is 47.1 years old; 14.4% are under 18 and 23.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.1%. 4.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Avery County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.1±0.6 | 39.1 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 14.4%±0.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.6%±0.5 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.1% | 11.3% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.7%±1.6 pts | 60.0% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.7 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.2%±0.9 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.8%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.4%±1.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 17.7%±2.0 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.5%±1.8 pts | 9.9% | −3.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.8%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.0%±3.1 pts | 35.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5%±1.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.4%±1.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Avery County earn?
Half of Avery County's 6,791 households earn less than $61,428 a year (±$7,429), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,646 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $11,782 after inflation. 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Avery County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,428±$7,429 | $72,388 | +$11,782 |
| Mean household income | $88,834±$7,646 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,831±$2,964 | $41,385 | +$9,781 |
| People below the poverty line | 10.2%±2.5 pts | 13.0% | −4.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.4%±4.5 pts | 17.7% | −10.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.9%±3.6 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.2%±2.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Avery County?
Owners occupy 83.0% of Avery County's occupied homes and renters 17.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $265,800 by its owner (±$21,887). The median renter pays $773 a month including utilities, and 32.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Avery County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $265,800±$21,887 | $288,900 | +$88,580 |
| Median gross rent | $773±$106 | $1,228 | −$183 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.3%±12.2 pts | 39.6% | −18.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,273±$191 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.0%±3.0 pts | 66.6% | +7.7 pts |
| Housing units | 14,201±56 | 4,895,668 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.5%±1.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 15.6%±8.9 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.9%±3.0 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 10.9%±2.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.2%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Avery County building?
Builders took permits for 151 new housing units across Avery County in 2025 (126 single-family), 8.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Avery County get to work?
78.2% of Avery County's workers drive alone and 9.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Avery County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.3%±2.3 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±2.0 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.2%±4.1 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±3.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.2%±2.3 pts | 16.3% | +5.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.7 min±2.4 | 25.1 min | +3.8 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Avery County's census tracts?
Avery County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,418 (Tract 9303.02) to $92,381 (Tract 9304).
| Tract 930137011930100 | 3,684±384 | $66,328 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 930237011930200 | 3,220±457 | $61,927 |
| Tract 9303.0137011930301 | 3,269±392 | $53,922 |
| Tract 9303.0237011930302 | 2,895±449 | $44,418 |
| Tract 930437011930400 | 4,612±399 | $92,381 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Avery County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 84th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 69th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 67th of 100 |
| Median household income | 47th of 100 |
| Median home value | 30th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 81st of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 85th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 100 |
| Median age | 27th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Avery County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.