County · North Carolina
Graham County, North Carolina
Graham County, North Carolina. Graham County had 8,190 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 37075.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
8,190
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 8,030 · ACS 2020-2024: 8,072
Median household income
$49,684
±$4,545 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$170,600
±$23,203 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$676
±$179 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Graham County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 8,030 residents in Graham County. The Census Bureau estimates 8,190 for July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 8,072 over 292 square miles of land.
| Measure | Graham County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 8,072 | 10,730,404 | −437 |
| Households | 3,524±201 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.24±0.13 | 2.44 | −0.23 |
| Housing units | 5,240±28 | 4,895,668 | −810 |
Graham County's population since 2000
From 7,993 in 2000 to 8,190 in 2025: up 2.5%. 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 Graham County?
Graham County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Robbinsville with 579 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| RobbinsvilleGEOID 3757020 | 597 | $17,802 |
|---|---|---|
| Lake SanteetlahGEOID 3736514 | 38 | $85,625 |
| Fontana DamGEOID 3723980 | 13 | not published |
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 Graham County?
The median resident of Graham County is 45.6 years old; 19.1% are under 18 and 25.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 84.9%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 9.6%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Graham County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.6±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.1%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.5%±0.9 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% | 11.3% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 84.9%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±1.0 pts | 20.0% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 9.6%±1.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.0%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±2.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.5%±3.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.5%±3.0 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.7%±3.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.6%±3.6 pts | 35.7% | +4.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.3%±1.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.6 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 Graham County earn?
Half of Graham County's 3,524 households earn less than $49,684 a year (±$4,545), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $48,700 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Graham County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $49,684±$4,545 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,762±$5,765 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,648±$2,566 | $41,385 | +$5,637 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.7%±2.4 pts | 13.0% | −10.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 3.6%±4.0 pts | 17.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.7%±4.3 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.4%±4.0 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 Graham County?
Owners occupy 80.7% of Graham County's occupied homes and renters 19.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $170,600 by its owner (±$23,203). The median renter pays $676 a month including utilities, and 29.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Graham County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $170,600±$23,203 | $288,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $676±$179 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.0%±13.1 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,122±$157 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 80.7%±4.5 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,240±28 | 4,895,668 | −810 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 14.2%±9.6 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.5%±4.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 25.7%±4.5 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±1.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.1%±0.8 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 Graham County building?
Builders took permits for 28 new housing units across Graham County in 2025 (28 single-family), 3.4 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 Graham County get to work?
81.7% of Graham County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Graham County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.9%±4.4 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±3.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.7%±4.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7%±3.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.2%±1.5 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±4.2 | 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 Graham County's census tracts?
Graham County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,730 (Tract 9201) to $54,091 (Tract 9203).
| Tract 920137075920100 | 2,064±351 | $48,730 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 920237075920200 | 2,725±415 | $49,200 |
| Tract 920337075920300 | 3,283±362 | $54,091 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Graham County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 98th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 67th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 95th of 100 |
| Median household income | 86th of 100 |
| Median home value | 74th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 98th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 98th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 78th of 100 |
| Median age | 33rd 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 Graham 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.