County · North Carolina
Henderson County, North Carolina
Henderson County, North Carolina. Henderson County had 122,375 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.2% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 18 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 census-designated) and 30 census tracts. GEOID 37089.
Henderson 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
122,375
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 116,281 · ACS 2020-2024: 118,484
Median household income
$68,187
±$3,678 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$351,400
±$8,797 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,187
±$55 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Henderson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 116,281 residents in Henderson County. The Census Bureau estimates 122,375 for July 1, 2025, up 5.2% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 118,484 over 373 square miles of land.
| Measure | Henderson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 118,484 | 10,730,404 | +3,571 |
| Households | 51,067±711 | 4,282,345 | +1,846 |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.03 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 58,044±60 | 4,895,668 | +536 |
Henderson County's population since 2000
From 89,173 in 2000 to 122,375 in 2025: up 37.2%. 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 Henderson County?
Henderson County holds 18 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 census-designated places. The largest is Hendersonville with 15,867 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Hendersonville | 15,137 | $53,449 |
|---|---|---|
| Fletcher | 7,987 | $75,272 |
| Etowah | 7,642 | $72,596 |
| Mills River | 7,078 | $105,398 |
| East Flat Rock | 5,757 | $59,583 |
| Dana | 3,683 | $60,450 |
| Mountain Home | 3,490 | $83,083 |
| Flat Rock, Henderson County | 3,486 | $95,098 |
| Horse Shoe | 2,430 | $64,096 |
| Edneyville | 2,395 | $53,818 |
| Fruitland | 2,257 | $48,025 |
| Laurel Park | 2,250 | $90,000 |
| Valley Hill | 2,207 | $86,599 |
| Balfour | 1,335 | $70,116 |
| Barker Heights | 1,249 | $29,277 |
| Hoopers CreekGEOID 3732580 | 1,074 | $52,315 |
| GertonGEOID 3725900 | 290 | not published |
| Saluda | 631 | $52,137 |
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 Henderson County?
The median resident of Henderson County is 47.5 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 26.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 79.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.1%. 8.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Henderson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.5±0.4 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.7% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.5%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.1% | 11.3% | +3.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 79.5%±0.3 pts | 60.0% | −3.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.2 pts | 20.0% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | −0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.3%±0.6 pts | 9.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.1%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.1%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.1%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.4%±0.9 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.6%±0.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.5%±1.5 pts | 35.7% | +4.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.5%±1.0 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±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 Henderson County earn?
Half of Henderson County's 51,067 households earn less than $68,187 a year (±$3,678), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $68,851 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Henderson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,187±$3,678 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,991±$3,443 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $40,567±$1,397 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.6%±1.4 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.2%±3.8 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.2%±1.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0%±1.2 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 Henderson County?
Owners occupy 75.0% of Henderson County's occupied homes and renters 25.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $351,400 by its owner (±$8,797). The median renter pays $1,187 a month including utilities, and 38.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Henderson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $351,400±$8,797 | $288,900 | +$88,032 |
| Median gross rent | $1,187±$55 | $1,228 | +$137 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.1%±4.7 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,608±$40 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.0%±1.5 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 58,044±60 | 4,895,668 | +536 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.7%±2.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.3%±1.7 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.2%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.6%±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 Henderson County building?
Builders took permits for 1,093 new housing units across Henderson County in 2025 (686 single-family), 8.9 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 Henderson County get to work?
76.4% of Henderson County's workers drive alone and 10.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.5%.
| Measure | Henderson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.2%±1.1 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.5%±0.7 pts | 4.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.4%±1.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.3%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.4%±1.2 pts | 16.3% | +3.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±0.7 | 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 Henderson County's census tracts?
Henderson County is divided into 30 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,385 (Tract 9313) to $122,961 (Tract 9307.01).
All 30 census tracts of Henderson County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Henderson County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th of 100 |
| Median household income | 25th of 100 |
| Median home value | 14th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 74th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 100 |
| Median age | 25th 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 Henderson 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.