Boone, NC

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

20,032

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

21.3

0.93% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

51.2%

1.64% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$30,065

5% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$411,100

10% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

9,062

5.41% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Boone, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.1% of the residents in Boone, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Boone, NC are Appalachian State University (5,382 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Boone, NC was $411,100, and the homeownership rate was 26.2%.

Most people in Boone, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Boone, NC was 2 cars per household.

United States North Carolina Watauga County, NC Boone, NC Boone High Country--Watauga, Ashe, Yancey, Avery & Mitchell Counties PUMA, NC

Population & Diversity

Boone, NC is home to a population of 20k people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 4.41% of Boone, NC residents were born outside of the country (883 people).

In 2024, there were 24 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (16.8k people) in Boone, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 699 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 527 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.1%

2024 Citizenship

96.4%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.1% of Boone, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Boone, NC was 96.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Boone, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Boone, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
16.8k ± 467
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
699 ± 225
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
527 ± 196

7.74%

Hispanic Population

1.55k people

7.74% of the people in Boone, NC are hispanic (1.55k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Boone, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
228,441 ± 11,609 people
India
90,815 ± 7,367 people
Honduras
52,061 ± 5,588 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 228,441 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 90,815 and Honduras with 52,061.

Foreign-Born Population

4.41%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

883 people

4.86%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

949 people

As of 2024, 4.41% of Boone, NC residents (883 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Boone, NC was 4.86%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Boone, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
131 ± 107
Gulf War (2001-)
13 ± 41
Korea
8 ± 28

Boone, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 10.1 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Boone, NC.

Health

93.1% of the population of Boone, NC has health coverage, with 57.9% on employee plans, 6.65% on Medicaid, 6.53% on Medicare, 20.8% on non-group plans, and 1.21% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1,413 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1634 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 299 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 16.8% under 18 years, 62.8% between 18 and 34 years, 13.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 6.68% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.3% were men and 51.7% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.91%

Uninsured

57.9%

Employer Coverage

6.65%

Medicaid

6.53%

Medicare

20.8%

Non-Group

1.21%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Boone, NC declined by 1.93% from 7.04% to 6.91%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Boone, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Boone, NC employs 9.06k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Boone, NC were Accommodation & Food Services (1,888 people), Retail Trade (1,843 people), and Educational Services (1,742 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,632), Finance & Insurance ($46,250), and Wholesale Trade ($45,526).

Employment

Occupations

9.06k

2024 Value

± 1,003

5.41%

1 Year growth

± 15%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Boone, NC grew at a rate of 5.41%, from 8.6k employees to 9.06k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Boone, NC, are Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,687 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,593 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,231 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Boone, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

9.06k

2024 Value

± 1,003

5.41%

1 Year growth

± 15%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Boone, NC grew at a rate of 5.41%, from 8.6k employees to 9.06k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Boone, NC, are Accommodation & Food Services (1,888 people), Retail Trade (1,843 people), and Educational Services (1,742 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Boone, NC, though some of these residents may live in Boone, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$14,086

Median earning men ± $3,630

$11,859

Median earning women ± $3,593

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($59,743), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($55,156), and Information ($50,761).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($20,476), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($18,202), and Information ($16,533).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

3.04%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Boone, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (50.9%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (47.6%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.675%)
Other Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Boone, NC awarded 5,382 degrees. The student population of Boone, NC in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 9,329 male students and 12,241 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Boone, NC are White (4,439 and 82.8%), Hispanic or Latino (390 and 7.28%), Two or More Races (198 and 3.69%), and Black or African American (188 and 3.51%).

The largest universities in Boone, NC by number of degrees awarded are Appalachian State University (5,382 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Boone, NC are General Psychology (370 and 6.87%), General Business Administration & Management (302 and 5.61%), and General Marketing & Marketing Management (239 and 4.44%).

The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,242 for in-state students and $21,875 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Boone, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 90.1%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 18.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 21,570 (43.2% men and 56.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 21,570 students enrolled in Boone, NC, 43.2% men and 56.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 16,911 records, of which 56.6% were women and 43.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
363 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
242 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
239 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Boone, NC was General Psychology with 363 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Boone, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Appalachian State University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

5,382 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Appalachian State University with 5,382 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 2,113 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Boone, NC, which is 0.646 times less than the 3,269 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 4,439 degrees mean that there were 11.4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 390 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($4,242) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,337) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 4-year or above ($800) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Boone, NC was $411,100 in 2024, which is 1.24 times larger than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $373,600 to $411,100, a 10% increase. The homeownership rate in Boone, NC is 26.2%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Boone, NC have an average commute time of 15.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Boone, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$411,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$53,060

$1,566

Median Property Taxes

±$335

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Boone, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Boone, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

26.2%

Homeownership

2024

68.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 26.2% of the housing units in Boone, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 23.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Boone, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$30,065

Median Household Income

± $5,963

5.98k

Number of Households

± 754

In 2024, the median household income of the 5.98k households in Boone, NC grew to $30,065 from the previous year's value of $28,633.

The following chart displays the households in Boone, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Boone, NC is from North Carolina.

0.466

2024 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.467

2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2024, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.16% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (63.7%)
Walked (13.2%)
Worked At Home (10.1%)

In 2024, 63.7% of workers in Boone, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (13.2%) and those who worked at home (10.1%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

15.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Boone, NC have a shorter commute time (15.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.7% of the workforce in Boone, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Boone, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Boone, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Boone, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

51.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Boone, NC (7.04k out of 13.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Boone, NC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.