County · North Carolina
Jackson County, North Carolina
Jackson County, North Carolina. Jackson County had 45,039 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 10 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 37099.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
45,039
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 43,109 · ACS 2020-2024: 43,771
Median household income
$55,815
±$5,024 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$284,700
±$19,969 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$904
±$55 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Jackson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 43,109 residents in Jackson County. The Census Bureau estimates 45,039 for July 1, 2025, up 4.4% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 43,771 over 491 square miles of land.
| Measure | Jackson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 43,771 | 10,730,404 | +833 |
| Households | 18,430±616 | 4,282,345 | +1,657 |
| Average household size | 2.16±0.07 | 2.44 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 27,803±42 | 4,895,668 | +506 |
Jackson County's population since 2000
From 33,121 in 2000 to 45,039 in 2025: up 36.0%. 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County holds 10 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Cullowhee with 7,973 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Cullowhee | 7,682 | $35,929 |
|---|---|---|
| Sylva | 2,578 | $44,086 |
| Cherokee | 2,195 | $55,972 |
| CashiersGEOID 3710800 | 657 | $73,750 |
| Webster | 372 | $61,528 |
| Forest HillsGEOID 3724170 | 303 | $90,313 |
| Dillsboro | 213 | $58,516 |
| GlenvilleGEOID 3726520 | 155 | not published |
| WhittierGEOID 3773780 | 25 | not published |
| Highlands | 1,072 | $71,509 |
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 Jackson County?
The median resident of Jackson County is 38.1 years old; 16.4% are under 18 and 20.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.0%. 4.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Jackson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1±1.2 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 16.4%±0.3 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.2%±0.3 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.0% | 11.3% | +2.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.4%±0.4 pts | 60.0% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.1%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 6.4%±0.6 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 | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.5%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.1%±1.3 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 14.0%±1.6 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.8%±1.5 pts | 9.9% | +2.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.6%±2.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.1%±2.4 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.2%±1.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.8%±1.0 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 Jackson County earn?
Half of Jackson County's 18,430 households earn less than $55,815 a year (±$5,024), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $58,153 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Jackson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,815±$5,024 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,171±$5,777 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,850±$2,302 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.0%±2.0 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 22.1%±5.4 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.2%±1.9 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.9%±2.5 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 Jackson County?
Owners occupy 60.8% of Jackson County's occupied homes and renters 39.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $284,700 by its owner (±$19,969). The median renter pays $904 a month including utilities, and 33.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Jackson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $284,700±$19,969 | $288,900 | +$43,361 |
| Median gross rent | $904±$55 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.5%±5.7 pts | 39.6% | −11.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,403±$81 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60.8%±3.0 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 27,803±42 | 4,895,668 | +506 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±2.4 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.0%±2.3 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 15.2%±1.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±1.3 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 Jackson County building?
Builders took permits for 232 new housing units across Jackson County in 2025 (232 single-family), 5.2 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 Jackson County get to work?
79.1% of Jackson County's workers drive alone and 7.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Jackson County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.8%±2.2 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1%±2.9 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 4.3%±1.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.8%±2.1 pts | 16.3% | +4.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.2 min±1.3 | 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 Jackson County's census tracts?
Jackson County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,540 (Tract 9506) to $88,750 (Tract 9509).
| Tract 940237099940200 | 5,548±575 | $51,146 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950237099950200 | 2,245±314 | $87,639 |
| Tract 950337099950300 | 5,514±746 | $56,368 |
| Tract 950437099950400 | 4,513±548 | $57,389 |
| Tract 950537099950500 | 5,969±778 | $50,509 |
| Tract 950637099950600 | 12,118±753 | $44,540 |
| Tract 950737099950700 | 3,391±527 | $60,083 |
| Tract 950837099950800 | 2,124±459 | $54,912 |
| Tract 950937099950900 | 2,349±489 | $88,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Jackson County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 59th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 40th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 61st of 100 |
| Median household income | 70th of 100 |
| Median home value | 24th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 28th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24th of 100 |
| Median age | 85th 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 Jackson 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.