Avery County, NC

County

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2019 Population

17,506

0.0286% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

45.2

1.8% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

15.1%

4.52% 1-year increase

2019 Median Household Income

$40,340

5.78% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$144,000

4.38% 1-year decline

2019 Employed Population

6,545

2.58% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Avery County, NC had a population of 17.5k people with a median age of 45.2 and a median household income of $40,340. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Avery County, NC grew from 17,501 to 17,506, a 0.0286% increase and its median household income grew from $38,134 to $40,340, a 5.78% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Avery County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (88.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.91%), White (Hispanic) (3.28%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.32%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.25%). 0% of the households in Avery County, NC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

97.7% of the residents in Avery County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Avery County, NC are Mayland Community College (277 degrees awarded in 2019) and Lees-McRae College (229 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Avery County, NC was $144,000, and the homeownership rate was 75.3%. Most people in Avery County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Avery County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Avery County, NC borders Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, McDowell County, NC, Mitchell County, NC, Watauga County, NC, Carter County, TN, and Johnson County, TN.

United States North Carolina

Diversity

Avery County, NC is home to a population of 17.5k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2019, 3.2% of Avery County, NC residents were born outside of the country (560 people).

In 2019, there were 22.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (15.5k people) in Avery County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 684 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 575 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Avery County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
15.5k ± 11
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
684 ± 125
White (Hispanic)
575 ± 159

5.06%

Hispanic Population

886 people

5.06% of the people in Avery County, NC are hispanic (886 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Avery County, NC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

3.2%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

560 people

3.29%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

575 people

As of 2019, 3.2% of Avery County, NC residents (560 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Avery County, NC was 3.29%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 5.2

In 2019, the median age of all people in Avery County, NC was 45.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 45, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Avery County, NC are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Avery County, NC residents was 44.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
229,947 ± 11,640 people
India
70,805 ± 6,510 people
Honduras
36,544 ± 4,685 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,947 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 70,805 and Honduras with 36,544.

Citizenship

97.7%

2019 Citizenship

97.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 97.7% of Avery County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Avery County, NC was 97.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
379 ± 98
Gulf War (2001-)
106 ± 75
Korea
68 ± 38

Avery County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.58 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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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.

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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Avery County, NC is $40,340. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Avery County, NC was Census Tract 9302 with a value of $47,522, followed by Census Tract 9304 and Census Tract 9301, with respective values of $44,157 and $40,134.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,862. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Avery County, NC employs 6.55k people. The largest industries in Avery County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,210 people), Accommodation & Food Services (790 people), and Educational Services (750 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($56,250), Utilities ($55,234), and Information ($47,569).

Wages

Median Household Income

$40,340

2019 value

± $3,613

5.78%

1 Year Growth

± 11.6%

Households in Avery County, NC have a median annual income of $40,340, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $38,134 in 2018, which represents a 5.78% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Avery County, NC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$63,585

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,168

$47,862

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $855

In 2019, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.33 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.

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 in North Carolina

Asian
$64,719 ± $4,583
White
$53,494 ± $850
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,933 ± $24,629

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0599% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9302
Census Tract 9304
Census Tract 9301

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Avery County, NC was Census Tract 9302 with a value of $47,522, followed by Census Tract 9304 and Census Tract 9301, with respective values of $44,157 and $40,134.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Avery County, NC (2.12k out of 14.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 55 - 64, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 45 - 54.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
1,902 ± 283
Hispanic
265 ± 126
Other
156 ± 119

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

6.55k

2019 Value

± 555

−2.58%

1 Year decline

± 12.2%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Avery County, NC declined at a rate of −2.58%, from 6.72k employees to 6.55k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Avery County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (686 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (619 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (532 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Avery County, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Avery County, NC, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (686 people), Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (619 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (532 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Avery County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (3.1 times higher than expected), Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (2.05 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.81 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Avery County, NC, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($88,542), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($71,250), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($57,333).

Industries

Employment by Industries

6.55k

2019 Value

± 555

−2.58%

1 Year decline

± 12.2%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Avery County, NC declined at a rate of −2.58%, from 6.72k employees to 6.55k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Avery County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,210 people), Accommodation & Food Services (790 people), and Educational Services (750 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Avery County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Avery County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Avery County, NC, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,210 people), Accommodation & Food Services (790 people), and Educational Services (750 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Avery County, NC has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (3.75 times higher than expected), Accommodation & Food Services (1.6 times), and Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation (1.57 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Avery County, NC, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($56,250), Utilities ($55,234), and Information ($47,569).

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

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.1B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($40B) and Machinery ($36.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$430B

2018 Value in North Carolina

$840B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

95.4% growth

In 2018, total outbound North Carolina trade was $430B. This is expected to increase 95.4% to $840B by 2045.

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

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

Georgia
$28.2B
South Carolina
$27.5B
Virginia
$24.4B

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $28.2B, followed by South Carolina with $27.5B and Virginia and $24.4B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Avery County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 76.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (20.5%), followed by Other (3.18%). The most partisan county was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis 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 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (76.3%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (20.5%)
Democratic Party
Other (3.18%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 76.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (20.5%), followed by Other (3.18%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of North Carolina.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Avery County, NC

76.3% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Graham County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Yadkin County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Durham County, NC
77.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in North Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis 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.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Avery County, NC awarded 506 degrees. The student population of Avery County, NC is skewed towards women, with 418 male students and 829 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Avery County, NC are White (400 and 79.8%), followed by Unknown (55 and 11%), Hispanic or Latino (27 and 5.39%), and Black or African American (10 and 2%).

The largest universities in Avery County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Mayland Community College (277 and 54.7%) and Lees-McRae College (229 and 45.3%).

The most popular majors in Avery County, NC are Registered Nursing (59 and 11.7%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (47 and 9.29%), and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (41 and 8.1%).

The median tuition cost in Avery County, NC for private four year colleges is $25,625.

Concentrations

Most Common

Wildlife Biology
32 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
44 degree-majorss awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
41 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Avery County, NC was Wildlife Biology with 32 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Mayland Community College
277 degrees awarded
Lees-McRae College
229 degrees awarded

$25,625

Median Private

In 2019, the Avery County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Mayland Community College with 277 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

211

Degrees Awarded to Men

295

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 211 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Avery County, NC, which is 0.715 times less than the 295 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Avery County, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
400 degrees awarded
Unknown
55 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
27 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Avery County, NC was White students. These 400 degrees mean that there were 7.27 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 55 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Avery County, NC was $144,000 in 2019, which is 0.599 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $150,600 to $144,000, a 4.38% decrease. The homeownership rate in Avery County, NC is 75.3%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Avery County, NC have an average commute time of 19.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Avery County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$144,000

2019 Median

± $17,805

$150,600

2018 Median

± $13,255

In 2019, the median property value in Avery County, NC declined from to $144,000 from the previous year's value of $150,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Avery 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 Avery County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $150k - $175k range.

Household Income

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

$40,340

Median Household Income

± $3,613

6.55k

Number of Households

± 492

In 2019, the median household income of the 6.55k households in Avery County, NC grew to $40,340 from the previous year's value of $38,134.

The following chart displays the households in Avery 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 $20k - $25k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

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

Rent vs Own

75.3%

2019 Homeownership

74.7%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 75.3% of the housing units in Avery County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Avery County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

19.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Avery County, NC have a shorter commute time (19.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 0.637% of the workforce in Avery County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (77.5%)
Carpooled (11.6%)
Walked (4.36%)

In 2019, 77.5% of workers in Avery County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.6%) and those who walked to work (4.36%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

84.1% of the population of Avery County, NC has health coverage, with 30% on employee plans, 13.8% on Medicaid, 19.8% on Medicare, 18.6% on non-group plans, and 1.81% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Avery County, NC see 3501 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.171% decrease from the previous year (3507 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2926 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 231 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,501 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Avery County, NC

Primary care physicians in Avery County, NC see an average of 3,501 patients per year. This represents a 0.171% decrease from the previous year (3,507 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
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.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
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.

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 in North Carolina

$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.

Health Care Coverage

15.9%

Uninsured

30%

Employer Coverage

13.8%

Medicaid

19.8%

Medicare

18.6%

Non-Group

1.81%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Avery County, NC grew by 5.65% from 15% to 15.9%.

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