Avery County, NC

County

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2021 Population

17,747

1.35% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

45.5

0.22% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

13.3%

1.33% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$46,383

8.64% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$171,200

12.8% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

6,786

2.94% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Avery County, NC had a population of 17.7k people with a median age of 45.5 and a median household income of $46,383. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Avery County, NC grew from 17,510 to 17,747, a 1.35% increase and its median household income grew from $42,695 to $46,383, a 8.64% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Avery County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (87.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.06%), White (Hispanic) (2.64%), Two+ (Hispanic) (1.45%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.4%).

None of the households in Avery County, 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.

98% of the residents in Avery County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Avery County, NC are Mayland Community College (251 degrees awarded in 2021) and Lees-McRae College (213 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Avery County, NC was $171,200, and the homeownership rate was 79.5%.

Most people in Avery County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.4 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

Population & Diversity

Avery County, NC is home to a population of 17.7k people, from which 98% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.09% of Avery County, NC residents were born outside of the country (548 people).

In 2021, there were 21.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (15.5k people) in Avery County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 721 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 468 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98%

2021 Citizenship

97.9%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98% of Avery County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Avery County, NC was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Avery County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
15.5k ± 132
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
721 ± 149
White (Hispanic)
468 ± 124

5.2%

Hispanic Population

922 people

5.2% of the people in Avery County, NC are hispanic (922 people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

3.09%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

548 people

3.07%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

538 people

As of 2021, 3.09% of Avery County, NC residents (548 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Avery County, NC was 3.07%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
402 ± 122
Gulf War (1990s)
112 ± 51
Gulf War (2001-)
105 ± 73

Avery County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.59 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Avery County, NC employs 6.79k people. The largest industries in Avery County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,030 people), Retail Trade (838 people), and Educational Services (821 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($58,375), Information ($51,458), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($42,237).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

6.79k

2021 Value

± 596

2.94%

1 Year growth

± 12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Avery County, NC grew at a rate of 2.94%, from 6.59k employees to 6.79k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Avery County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (786 people), Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (649 people), and Management Occupations (645 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Avery County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

6.79k

2021 Value

± 596

2.94%

1 Year growth

± 12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Avery County, NC grew at a rate of 2.94%, from 6.59k employees to 6.79k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Avery County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,030 people), Retail Trade (838 people), and Educational Services (821 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$35,047

Median earning men ± $2,411

$26,822

Median earning women ± $3,130

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($51,146), Other Services Except Public Administration ($50,625), and Wholesale Trade ($47,957).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($38,639), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($31,912), and Wholesale Trade ($28,810).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

117
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
108
Retail Trade
104
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$37.9k
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services
$27.5k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$22.2k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

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.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

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

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Avery County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 75.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (23.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.592%).

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

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (75.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (23.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.592%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Avery County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 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 2021, universities in Avery County, NC awarded 464 degrees. The student population of Avery County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 677 male students and 1,059 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Avery County, NC are White (377 and 83%), followed by Unknown (36 and 7.93%), Hispanic or Latino (24 and 5.29%), and Black or African American (9 and 1.98%).

The largest universities in Avery County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Mayland Community College (251 and 54.1%) and Lees-McRae College (213 and 45.9%).

The most popular majors in Avery County, NC are Welding Technology (63 and 13.6%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (50 and 10.8%), and Registered Nursing (45 and 9.7%).

The median tuition cost in Avery County, NC for private four year colleges is $26,267.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Avery County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 59.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.5%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 1,736 (39% men and 61% 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 2021 there were 1,736 students enrolled in Avery County, NC, 39% men and 61% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,412 records, of which 60.6% were women and 39.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Wildlife Biology
35 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
29 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
25 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Avery County, NC was Wildlife Biology with 35 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

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Mayland Community College
251 degrees awarded
Lees-McRae College
213 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Mayland Community College with 251 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 200 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Avery County, NC, which is 0.758 times less than the 264 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 377 degrees mean that there were 10.5 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 36 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

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($26,267) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,400) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,193) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Avery County, NC was $171,200 in 2021, which is 0.699 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $151,800 to $171,200, a 12.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Avery County, NC is 79.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Avery County, NC have an average commute time of 20.4 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.

Median household income in Avery County, NC is $46,383. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Avery County, NC was Census Tract 9302 with a value of $55,585, followed by Census Tract 9304 and Census Tract 9301, with respective values of $51,193 and $45,391.

In 2022, 14.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Avery County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.77%.

Housing

Property

$171,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$13,800

$5,071

Median Property Taxes

±$423

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 Avery County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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

Rent vs Own

79.5%

Homeownership

2021

71.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 79.5% of the housing units in Avery County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 77.7%.

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

Equity

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 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Avery County, NC was Census Tract 9302 with a value of $55,585, followed by Census Tract 9304 and Census Tract 9301, with respective values of $51,193 and $45,391.

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

Household Income

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

$46,383

Median Household Income

± $4,213

6.38k

Number of Households

± 513

In 2021, the median household income of the 6.38k households in Avery County, NC grew to $46,383 from the previous year's value of $42,695.

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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.9%)
Carpooled (7.92%)
Worked At Home (6.79%)

In 2021, 78.9% of workers in Avery County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.92%) and those who worked at home (6.79%).

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

20.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Avery County, NC have a shorter commute time (20.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.08% 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.

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.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 14.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Avery County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.77%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

13.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Avery County, NC (1.95k out of 14.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 45 - 54.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Avery 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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 23.8% of the children was living in poverty in Avery County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 174 in Avery County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 47.3 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

84.1% of the population of Avery County, NC has health coverage, with 30.8% on employee plans, 14.2% on Medicaid, 19.5% on Medicare, 17% on non-group plans, and 2.58% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Avery County, NC see 3511 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.286% increase from the previous year (3501 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2928 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 220 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.2% were men and 52.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

3,511 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Avery County, NC

Primary care physicians in Avery County, NC see an average of 3,511 patients per year. This represents a 0.286% increase from the previous year (3,501 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 17.3% under 18 years, 19.7% between 18 and 34 years, 38.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 24.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.2% were men and 52.8% were women.

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

Uninsured People

15.9%

Uninsured

30.8%

Employer Coverage

14.2%

Medicaid

19.5%

Medicare

17%

Non-Group

2.58%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Avery County, NC grew by 8.03% from 14.7% 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.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Avery County, NC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35% in Avery County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Avery County, NC.

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