County · North Carolina
Buncombe County, North Carolina
Buncombe County, North Carolina. Buncombe County had 277,417 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 13 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 7 census-designated) and 65 census tracts. GEOID 37021.
Buncombe County is one of the 3 counties of the Asheville, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
277,417
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 269,452 · ACS 2020-2024: 274,360
Median household income
$74,436
±$2,206 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$391,800
±$8,308 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,362
±$42 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Buncombe County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 269,452 residents in Buncombe County. The Census Bureau estimates 277,417 for July 1, 2025, up 3.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 274,360 over 656 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buncombe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 274,360 | 10,730,404 | +17,474 |
| Households | 101,855±2,041 | 4,282,345 | −5,624 |
| Average household size | 2.62±0.05 | 2.44 | +0.29 |
| Housing units | 134,483±159 | 4,895,668 | +10,841 |
Buncombe County's population since 2000
From 206,330 in 2000 to 277,417 in 2025: up 34.5%. 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 Buncombe County?
Buncombe County holds 13 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 7 census-designated places. The largest is Asheville with 93,523 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Asheville | 94,589 | $71,102 |
|---|---|---|
| Black Mountain | 8,426 | $77,042 |
| Woodfin | 7,936 | $71,384 |
| Swannanoa | 5,021 | $69,760 |
| Weaverville | 4,567 | $88,221 |
| Royal Pines | 4,127 | $107,885 |
| Fairview, Buncombe CountyGEOID 3722440 | 2,771 | $92,132 |
| Avery CreekGEOID 3702760 | 2,241 | $113,261 |
| EmmaGEOID 3721260 | 2,174 | $43,907 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,409 | $169,167 |
| Bent CreekGEOID 3705049 | 1,402 | $72,176 |
| MontreatGEOID 3744100 | 901 | $115,568 |
| BarnardsvilleGEOID 3703720 | 559 | $97,610 |
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 Buncombe County?
The median resident of Buncombe County is 42.6 years old; 17.8% are under 18 and 21.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.6%. 6.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buncombe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±0.2 | 39.1 | +0.4 |
| Under 18 years | 17.8% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.2%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.6% | 11.3% | +2.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.8%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −2.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.3 pts | 20.0% | −1.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.7%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.4%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.4%±0.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.9%±0.7 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.6%±0.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 45.9%±1.3 pts | 35.7% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.0%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9%±0.5 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 Buncombe County earn?
Half of Buncombe County's 101,855 households earn less than $74,436 a year (±$2,206), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $64,251 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $10,185 after inflation. 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buncombe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,436±$2,206 | $72,388 | +$10,185 |
| Mean household income | $105,560±$3,752 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,371±$1,377 | $41,385 | +$3,465 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.8%±0.9 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.7%±2.6 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.5%±0.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3%±1.0 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 Buncombe County?
Owners occupy 66.2% of Buncombe County's occupied homes and renters 33.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $391,800 by its owner (±$8,308). The median renter pays $1,362 a month including utilities, and 41.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buncombe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $391,800±$8,308 | $288,900 | +$98,649 |
| Median gross rent | $1,362±$42 | $1,228 | +$162 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.8%±3.2 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,785±$30 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.2%±1.4 pts | 66.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Housing units | 134,483±159 | 4,895,668 | +10,841 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 14.8%±1.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 18.2%±2.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.8%±1.1 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.9%±0.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.9%±0.7 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 Buncombe County building?
Builders took permits for 2,028 new housing units across Buncombe County in 2025 (992 single-family), 7.3 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 Buncombe County get to work?
70.5% of Buncombe County's workers drive alone and 17.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Buncombe County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.1%±1.0 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 70.5%±1.4 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6%±0.8 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 17.6%±1.1 pts | 16.3% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min±0.5 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
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 Buncombe County's census tracts?
Buncombe County is divided into 65 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,515 (Tract 9) to $170,000 (Tract 21.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Buncombe County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 7th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 60th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 100 |
| Median household income | 19th of 100 |
| Median home value | 7th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 72nd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 100 |
| Median age | 50th 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 Buncombe 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.