Ashe County, NC

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Population

26,833

0.589% decline

Median Age

47.2


Median Household Income

$40,293

7.85% growth

Poverty Rate

19.4%


Number of Employees

12,174

3.7% growth

Median Property Value

$150,300

4.59% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Ashe County, NC had a population of 26.8k people with a median age of 47.2 and a median household income of $40,293. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Ashe County, NC declined from 26,992 to 26,833, a -0.589% decrease and its median household income grew from $37,360 to $40,293, a 7.85% increase.

The population of Ashe County, NC is 92.5% White Alone, 5.17% Hispanic or Latino, and 0.805% Two or More Races. N/A% of the people in Ashe County, NC speak a non-English language, and 97.2% are U.S. citizens.

The median property value in Ashe County, NC is $150,300, and the homeownership rate is 74.1%. Most people in Ashe County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 25.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Ashe County, NC is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Jeremy Taylor

United StatesNorth Carolina

Economy

The economy of Ashe County, NC employs 12.2k people. The largest industries in Ashe County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,912 people), Retail Trade (1,525 people), and Manufacturing (1,424 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($60,954), Finance & Insurance ($47,672), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,393).

Median household income in Ashe County, NC is $40,293. Males in Ashe County, NC have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,729. The income inequality in Ashe County, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$40,293

2017 value

± $2,235

7.85%

1 Year Growth

± 7.2%

Households in Ashe County, NC have a median annual income of $40,293, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $37,360 in 2016, which represents a 7.85% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Ashe County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$59,982

Average Male Salary

± $1,136

$44,729

Average Female Salary

± $812

In 2017, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $59,267 ± $4,472

  2. White

    $49,962 ± $811

  3. Two or More Races

    $36,539 ± $3,942

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.471

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.39% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9707

  2. Census Tract 9708

  3. Census Tract 9704

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Ashe County, NC was Census Tract 9707 with a value of $61,806, followed by Census Tract 9708 and Census Tract 9704, with respective values of $41,484 and $37,928.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Ashe County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

19.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ashe County, NC (5.14k out of 26.4k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 45 - 54, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    4,773 ± 456

  2. Hispanic

    676 ± 193

  3. Other

    219 ± 169

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

12.2k

2017 Value

± 778

3.7%

1 Year growth

± 8.75%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Ashe County, NC grew at a rate of 3.7%, from 11.7k employees to 12.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ashe County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,368 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,362 people), and Production Occupations (983 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ashe County, NC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Ashe County, NC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,368 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,362 people), and Production Occupations (983 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Ashe County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (2.76 times higher than expected), Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (2.01 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.58 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Ashe County, NC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($72,959), Business & Financial Operations Occupations ($59,615), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($53,542).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

12.2k

2017 Value

± 778

3.7%

1 Year growth

± 8.75%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Ashe County, NC grew at a rate of 3.7%, from 11.7k employees to 12.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ashe County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,912 people), Retail Trade (1,525 people), and Manufacturing (1,424 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ashe County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Ashe County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Ashe County, NC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,912 people), Retail Trade (1,525 people), and Manufacturing (1,424 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Ashe County, NC has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (2.72 times higher than expected), Construction (1.78 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.26 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Ashe County, NC, by median earnings, are Utilities ($60,954), Finance & Insurance ($47,672), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($43,393).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Mixed freight

    $54.9B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $41.2B

  3. Machinery

    $40B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.9B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($41.2B) and Machinery ($40B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina state.

$443B

2020 Value

$632B

Projected 2045 Value

42.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $443B. This is expected to increase 42.7% to $632B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. South Carolina

    $28.4B

  2. Virginia

    $28.1B

  3. Georgia

    $28B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $28.4B, followed by Virginia with $28.1B and Georgia and $28B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

86.1% of the population of Ashe County, NC has health coverage, with 34% on employee plans, 15.9% on Medicaid, 18.5% on Medicare, 16.7% on non-group plans, and 0.891% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Ashe County, NC was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Ashe County, NC see 2078 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.431% decrease from the previous year (2087 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3366 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 709 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,078 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Ashe County, NC see an average of 2,078 patients per year. This represents a 0.431% decrease from the previous year (2,087 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Ashe County, NC in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

13.9%

Uninsured

34%

Employer Coverage

15.9%

Medicaid

18.5%

Medicare

16.7%

Non-Group

0.891%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ashe County, NC declined by 14% from 16.1% to 13.9%.

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

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Edgecombe County

    16.2% prevalence

  2. Robeson County

    16.1% prevalence

  3. Hertford County

    16% prevalence

Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina, at 16.2%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Ashe County, NC is home to a population of 26.8k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2017, 3.95% of Ashe County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.06k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Ashe County, NC is composed of 24.8k White Alone residents (92.5%), 1.39k Hispanic or Latino residents (5.17%), 216 Two or More Races residents (0.805%), 210 Black or African American Alone residents (0.783%), 104 Asian Alone residents (0.388%), 97 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.361%), 9 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0335%), and 0 Some Other Race Alone residents (0%).

Age

Age by Nativity

48

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 3.9

In 2017, the median age of all people in Ashe County, NC was 47.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 48, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Ashe County, NC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Ashe County, NC residents was 47.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

3.95%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

1.06k people

4.04%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

1.09k people

As of 2017, 3.95% of Ashe County, NC residents (1.06k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ashe County, NC was 4.04%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    242,756 ± 11,950 people

  2. India

    60,392 ± 6,015 people

  3. Honduras

    34,513 ± 4,553 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 242,756 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 60,392 and Honduras with 34,513.

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Citizenship

97.2%

2017 Citizenship

96.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 97.2% of Ashe County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Ashe County, NC was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    24.8k ± 22

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    1.39k ± 382

  3. Two or More Races

    216 ± 70.9

In 2017, there were 17.9 times more White Alone residents (24.8k people) in Ashe County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.39k Hispanic or Latino and 216 Two or More Races residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Ashe County, NC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    694 ± 135

  2. Korea

    156 ± 80

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    139 ± 65

Ashe County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.45 times greater than any other conflict.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Ashe County, NC was $150,300 in 2017, which is 0.654 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $143,700 to $150,300, a 4.59% increase. The homeownership rate in Ashe County, NC is 74.1%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Ashe County, NC have an average commute time of 25.4 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Ashe County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$150,300

2017 Median

± $12,406

$143,700

2016 Median

± $16,285

In 2017, the median property value in Ashe County, NC grew to to $150,300 from the previous year's value of $143,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Ashe County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ashe County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $200k - $250k range.

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Household Income

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

$40,293

Median Household Income

± $2,235

12k

Number of Households

± 774

In 2017, the median household income of the 12k households in Ashe County, NC grew to $40,293 from the previous year's value of $37,360.

The following chart displays the households in Ashe County, 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 $75k - $100k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Ashe County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Ashe County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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Rent vs Own

74.1%

2017 Homeownership

74%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 74.1% of the housing units in Ashe County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Ashe County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

25.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Ashe County, NC have a longer commute time (25.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 3.12% of the workforce in Ashe County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    79.9%

  2. Carpooled

    13.3%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.1%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Ashe County, NC was Drove Alone (79.9%), followed by those who Carpooled (13.3%) and those who Worked At Home (4.1%).

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.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Ashe County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Ashe County, NC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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