County · North Carolina
Swain County, North Carolina
Swain County, North Carolina. Swain County had 14,024 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.6% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. It holds 2 places (1 city, village or borough and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 37173.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,024
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,117 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,013
Median household income
$52,349
±$5,811 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$207,000
±$19,733 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$742
±$53 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Swain County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,117 residents in Swain County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,024 for July 1, 2025, down 0.6% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,013 over 528 square miles of land.
| Measure | Swain County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,013 | 10,730,404 | −247 |
| Households | 6,013±250 | 4,282,345 | +393 |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.09 | 2.44 | −0.21 |
| Housing units | 8,629±31 | 4,895,668 | −393 |
Swain County's population since 2000
From 12,968 in 2000 to 14,024 in 2025: up 8.1%. 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 Swain County?
Swain County holds 2 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Bryson City with 1,525 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bryson City | 1,558 | $44,167 |
|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | 2,195 | $55,972 |
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 Swain County?
The median resident of Swain County is 42.6 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 19.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 59.2%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 27.3%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Swain County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±0.9 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.8%±0.2 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.9%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.5% | 11.3% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 59.2%±0.6 pts | 60.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.6%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 3.3% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 27.3%±1.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.0%±1.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8%±1.0 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.7%±2.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±1.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7%±2.2 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 23.8%±3.4 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7%±2.8 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.4%±2.6 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.0%±2.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2%±1.7 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 Swain County earn?
Half of Swain County's 6,013 households earn less than $52,349 a year (±$5,811), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $48,387 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Swain County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,349±$5,811 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,210±$6,458 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,803±$2,502 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 19.1%±3.4 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.8%±8.3 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.7%±3.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.3%±3.4 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 Swain County?
Owners occupy 72.7% of Swain County's occupied homes and renters 27.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $207,000 by its owner (±$19,733). The median renter pays $742 a month including utilities, and 31.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Swain County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $207,000±$19,733 | $288,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $742±$53 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.7%±10.4 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,290±$108 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.7%±3.4 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,629±31 | 4,895,668 | −393 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±1.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 12.5%±6.2 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.0%±3.3 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 25.5%±3.5 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.1%±1.4 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 Swain County building?
Builders took permits for 94 new housing units across Swain County in 2025 (84 single-family), 6.7 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 Swain County get to work?
80.4% of Swain County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.6%.
| Measure | Swain County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 57.0%±2.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6%±2.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.4%±3.6 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.9%±3.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±3.0 pts | 16.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.5 min±2.5 | 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 Swain County's census tracts?
Swain County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,946 (Tract 9602) to $63,253 (Tract 9401).
| Tract 940137173940100 | 4,505±441 | $63,253 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960237173960200 | 3,224±461 | $42,946 |
| Tract 9603.0137173960301 | 3,442±423 | $57,167 |
| Tract 9603.0237173960302 | 2,786±434 | $49,896 |
| Tract 980237173980200 | 56±84 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Swain County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 88th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 88th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 96th of 100 |
| Median household income | 78th of 100 |
| Median home value | 58th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 93rd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 60th 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 Swain 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.