County · North Carolina
Cherokee County, North Carolina
Cherokee County, North Carolina. Cherokee County had 30,830 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 7.1% since 2020, in line with North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 37039.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,830
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,774 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,562
Median household income
$53,628
±$3,764 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$232,300
±$11,614 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$813
±$141 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Cherokee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 28,774 residents in Cherokee County. The Census Bureau estimates 30,830 for July 1, 2025, up 7.1% since 2020, in line with North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 29,562 over 456 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cherokee County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,562 | 10,730,404 | +1,593 |
| Households | 13,241±406 | 4,282,345 | +770 |
| Average household size | 2.20±0.07 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 18,404±26 | 4,895,668 | +146 |
Cherokee County's population since 2000
From 24,298 in 2000 to 30,830 in 2025: up 26.9%. 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 Cherokee County?
Cherokee County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Andrews with 1,799 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Cherokee County?
The median resident of Cherokee County is 53.5 years old; 16.0% are under 18 and 31.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.7%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cherokee County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.5±0.4 | 39.1 | +2.0 |
| Under 18 years | 16.0%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 31.5%±0.3 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 11.3% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.3%±0.6 pts | 60.0% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.2 pts | 20.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | −0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 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 | 3.4%±0.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.2%±1.5 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.0%±1.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.5%±1.9 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.2%±1.3 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.2%±1.8 pts | 35.7% | +5.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.5%±1.5 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5%±1.2 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 Cherokee County earn?
Half of Cherokee County's 13,241 households earn less than $53,628 a year (±$3,764), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $50,997 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cherokee County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $53,628±$3,764 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,893±$2,977 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,569±$1,263 | $41,385 | +$2,153 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.4%±1.7 pts | 13.0% | −4.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0%±5.5 pts | 17.7% | −11.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.9%±2.1 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.6%±2.7 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 Cherokee County?
Owners occupy 83.7% of Cherokee County's occupied homes and renters 16.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $232,300 by its owner (±$11,614). The median renter pays $813 a month including utilities, and 27.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cherokee County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $232,300±$11,614 | $288,900 | +$36,497 |
| Median gross rent | $813±$141 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 27.6%±8.6 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,242±$73 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.7%±2.7 pts | 66.6% | +4.7 pts |
| Housing units | 18,404±26 | 4,895,668 | +146 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±3.8 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.0%±2.4 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 19.0%±2.1 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±1.2 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 Cherokee County building?
Builders took permits for 239 new housing units across Cherokee County in 2025 (239 single-family), 7.8 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 Cherokee County get to work?
79.5% of Cherokee County's workers drive alone and 10.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | Cherokee County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.3%±2.3 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±3.5 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4%±1.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.8%±2.8 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.2 min±1.6 | 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 Cherokee County's census tracts?
Cherokee County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $41,285 (Tract 9301.01) to $76,625 (Tract 9305.01).
| Tract 9301.0137039930101 | 2,329±339 | $41,285 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9301.0237039930102 | 2,010±388 | $45,500 |
| Tract 930237039930200 | 2,326±408 | $61,346 |
| Tract 930337039930300 | 2,492±441 | $65,543 |
| Tract 9304.0137039930401 | 4,131±592 | $50,625 |
| Tract 9304.0237039930402 | 1,747±244 | $71,083 |
| Tract 9305.0137039930501 | 1,975±249 | $76,625 |
| Tract 9305.0237039930502 | 3,844±457 | $68,875 |
| Tract 9306.0337039930603 | 1,839±290 | $43,571 |
| Tract 9306.0437039930604 | 1,899±377 | $41,964 |
| Tract 9306.0537039930605 | 2,075±339 | $70,283 |
| Tract 9306.0637039930606 | 2,895±559 | $47,841 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cherokee County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 72nd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 25th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 72nd of 100 |
| Median household income | 75th of 100 |
| Median home value | 47th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 68th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 69th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 100 |
| Median age | 5th 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 Cherokee 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.