County · North Carolina
Yancey County, North Carolina
Yancey County, North Carolina. Yancey County had 19,084 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 37199.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,084
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,470 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,797
Median household income
$58,709
±$5,720 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$243,100
±$17,235 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$882
±$83 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Yancey County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,470 residents in Yancey County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,084 for July 1, 2025, up 3.3% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,797 over 313 square miles of land.
| Measure | Yancey County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,797 | 10,730,404 | +1,037 |
| Households | 8,130±353 | 4,282,345 | +620 |
| Average household size | 2.29±0.10 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,376±39 | 4,895,668 | +105 |
Yancey County's population since 2000
From 17,774 in 2000 to 19,084 in 2025: up 7.4%. 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 Yancey County?
Yancey County holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Burnsville with 1,655 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Burnsville | 1,614 | $50,997 |
|---|
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 Yancey County?
The median resident of Yancey County is 49.2 years old; 18.0% are under 18 and 27.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.8%. 3.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Yancey County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.2±0.6 | 39.1 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 18.0%±0.4 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 27.1%±0.6 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.8% | 11.3% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.8%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.8%±1.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.7%±1.2 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.9%±2.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.2%±1.5 pts | 9.9% | −5.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.7%±1.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.1%±2.7 pts | 35.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.3%±1.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.8 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 Yancey County earn?
Half of Yancey County's 8,130 households earn less than $58,709 a year (±$5,720), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $51,962 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,747 after inflation. 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Yancey County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,709±$5,720 | $72,388 | +$6,747 |
| Mean household income | $83,965±$8,911 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,664±$3,880 | $41,385 | +$6,528 |
| People below the poverty line | 15.2%±2.2 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.5%±5.5 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.8%±2.6 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.4%±3.1 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 Yancey County?
Owners occupy 79.4% of Yancey County's occupied homes and renters 20.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $243,100 by its owner (±$17,235). The median renter pays $882 a month including utilities, and 42.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Yancey County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $243,100±$17,235 | $288,900 | +$49,758 |
| Median gross rent | $882±$83 | $1,228 | +$102 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.7%±10.8 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,378±$138 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 79.4%±3.4 pts | 66.6% | +6.1 pts |
| Housing units | 11,376±39 | 4,895,668 | +105 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.5 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.6%±3.5 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.3%±2.8 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.2%±2.2 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 Yancey County building?
Builders took permits for 107 new housing units across Yancey County in 2025 (107 single-family), 5.6 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 Yancey County get to work?
78.6% of Yancey County's workers drive alone and 11.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Yancey County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.4%±2.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3%±2.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.6%±3.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0%±2.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.5%±0.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.7%±2.9 pts | 16.3% | +6.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.1 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 Yancey County's census tracts?
Yancey County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,228 (Tract 9601.02) to $69,188 (Tract 9604).
| Tract 9601.0137199960101 | 4,240±518 | $58,385 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9601.0237199960102 | 2,137±346 | $52,228 |
| Tract 960237199960200 | 4,657±441 | $61,170 |
| Tract 960337199960300 | 3,031±505 | $53,918 |
| Tract 960437199960400 | 4,732±459 | $69,188 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Yancey County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 82nd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 58th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 77th of 100 |
| Median household income | 56th of 100 |
| Median home value | 37th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 53rd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 45th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 44th of 100 |
| Median age | 14th 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 Yancey 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.