Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2023 Population

137,925

0.546% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2023 Median Age

43.5

0% 1-year change

2023 Poverty Rate

10.7%

2.74% 1-year increase

2023 Median Household Income

$72,366

6% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$329,300

10.1% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

60,345

2.2% 1-year growth

About

In 2023, Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC had a population of 138k people with a median age of 43.5 and a median household income of $72,366. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew from 137,176 to 137,925, a 0.546% increase and its median household income grew from $68,267 to $72,366, a 6% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (84.1%), Two+ (Hispanic) (4.18%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.69%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.09%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.82%).

8.81% of the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, 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.

96.4% of the residents in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Montreat College (202 degrees awarded in 2022) and Warren Wilson College (183 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was $329,300, and the homeownership rate was 72.6%.

Most people in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 2 cars per household.

Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC borders Boone High Country--Watauga, Ashe, Yancey, Avery & Mitchell Counties PUMA, NC, Burke & McDowell Counties PUMA, NC, Buncombe County (Southeast)--Asheville City PUMA, NC, Haywood, Madison, Swain, Graham & Jackson (North) Counties PUMA, NC, and Henderson & Transylvania Counties PUMA, NC.

United States North Carolina

Population & Diversity

Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is home to a population of 138k people, from which 96.4% are citizens. As of 2023, 6.44% of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents were born outside of the country (8.88k people).

In 2023, there were 20.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (116k people) in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.76k Two+ (Hispanic) and 5.08k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary langauge in households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Spanish (8,187 households), Russian (686 households), and Ukrainian or Other Slavic Languages (520 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

72,334

Women

52.6%

65,158

Men

47.4%

The resident population of United States in 2022 was 137,492 inhabitants, with 47.4% men, and 52.6% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in the United States.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

96.4%

2023 Citizenship

97.1%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 96.4% of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 97.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
116k ± 2.39k
Two+ (Hispanic)
5.76k ± 1.3k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
5.08k ± 897

7.81%

Hispanic Population

10.8k people

7.81% of the people in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are hispanic (10.8k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
1,465 ± 935 people
Honduras
542 ± 570 people
Russia
503 ± 550 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Mexico, the natal country of 1,465 Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents, followed by Honduras with 542 and Russia with 503.

Foreign-Born Population

6.44%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

8.88k people

5.56%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

7.63k people

As of 2023, 6.44% of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents (8.88k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 5.56%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
8,187 households (6.23%)
Russian
686 households (0.522%)
Ukrainian or Other Slavic Languages
520 households (0.396%)

8.81% of the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 22%. 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.

In 2023, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Spanish. 6.23% of the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,923 ± 391
Gulf War (2001-)
1,327 ± 423
Gulf War (1990s)
1,214 ± 323

Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC employs 60.3k people. The largest industries in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Construction (5,173 people), Restaurants & Food Services (4,017 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,608 people), and the highest paying industries are Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities ($140,753), Securities, commodities, funds, trusts & other financial investments ($138,146), and Machinery manufacturing, n.e.c. or not specified ($125,419).

Males in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $51,671. The income inequality in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.428, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

28,396

Women

50.5%

27,818

Men

49.5%

The workforce of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in 2020 was 56,214 people, with 50.5% woman, and 49.5% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

60.3k

2022 Value

2.2%

1 Year growth

± 2.2%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew at a rate of 2.2%, from 59k employees to 60.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, are Retail salespersons (2,616 people), Cashiers (1,833 people), and Other managers (1,580 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, 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

60.3k

2022 Value

2.2%

1 Year growth

± 2.2%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew at a rate of 2.2%, from 59k employees to 60.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, are Construction (5,173 people), Restaurants & Food Services (4,017 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,608 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, though some of these residents may live in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,436

Median earning men ± $2,716

$36,420

Median earning women ± $1,675

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($64,536), Public Administration ($64,238), and Information ($59,554).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Wholesale Trade ($73,750), Public Administration ($60,115), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,888).

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.

Education

In 2022, universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC awarded 385 degrees. The student population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 751 male students and 1,014 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are White (264 and 70.8%), followed by Black or African American (47 and 12.6%), Hispanic or Latino (26 and 6.97%), and Two or More Races (18 and 4.83%).

The largest universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC by number of degrees awarded are Montreat College (202 and 52.5%) and Warren Wilson College (183 and 47.5%).

The most popular majors in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are General Business Administration & Management (39 and 10.1%), Creative Writing (35 and 9.09%), and Other Psychology (28 and 7.27%).

The median tuition cost in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC for private four year colleges is $33,875.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 74.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 1,765 (42.5% men and 57.5% 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 2022 there were 1,765 students enrolled in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, 42.5% men and 57.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,113 records, of which 59.4% were women and 40.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Psychology
28 degrees awarded
Computer & Information Systems Security
21 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
37 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Other Psychology with 28 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Montreat College
202 degrees awarded
Warren Wilson College
183 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Montreat College with 202 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 151 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, which is 0.645 times less than the 234 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 264 degrees mean that there were 5.62 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 47 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 ($33,875) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($613) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,025) 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

Measure

In 2022, 1.2% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.789% of women were in the same situation.

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

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in 2022 were High School or Equivalent (31.9k), Bachelors Degree (24.4k), and Some college (20.9k).

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 Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was $329,300 in 2023, which is 1.09 times larger than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $299,000 to $329,300, a 10.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is 72.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have an average commute time of 22.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is $72,366. In 2023, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Wake County (Southwest)--Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC with a value of $143,176, followed by Wake County (Northwest)--Raleigh City (Northwest) & Morrisville Town PUMA, NC and Union County (West)--Indian Trail & Stallings Towns PUMA, NC, with respective values of $139,831 and $123,543.

Housing

Property

$329,300

Median Property Value 2023

±$9,946

$36,399

Median Property Taxes

±$1,552

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 Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

72.6%

Homeownership

2023

68.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 72.6% of the housing units in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 72.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, 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)

In 2023, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Wake County (Southwest)--Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC with a value of $143,176, followed by Wake County (Northwest)--Raleigh City (Northwest) & Morrisville Town PUMA, NC and Union County (West)--Indian Trail & Stallings Towns PUMA, NC, with respective values of $139,831 and $123,543.

The following map shows all of the PUMAs in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, 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.

$72,366

Median Household Income

± $2,468

50.1k

Number of Households

± 1,985

In 2023, the median household income of the 50.1k households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew to $72,366 from the previous year's value of $68,267.

The following chart displays the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, 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.

Wage Distribution

0.428

2022 Wage GINI in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

0.424

2021 Wage GINI in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

In 2022, the income inequality in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 0.428 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.02% growth from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023

Drove Alone (75.8%)
Worked At Home (14.2%)
Carpooled (7.53%)

In 2023, 75.8% of workers in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.2%) and those who carpooled to work (7.53%).

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

22.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have a shorter commute time (22.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 0.985% of the workforce in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC (14.4k out of 135k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

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.

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.

Health

88% of the population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC has health coverage, with 40.2% on employee plans, 14.1% on Medicaid, 16.7% on Medicare, 15.4% on non-group plans, and 1.69% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1413 patients per year on average, which represents a 1% increase from the previous year (1399 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1657 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 336 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,413 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,413 patients per year. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year (1,399 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.5% under 18 years, 18.2% between 18 and 34 years, 40% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.7% were men and 53.3% were women.

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

Uninsured People

12%

Uninsured

40.2%

Employer Coverage

14.1%

Medicaid

16.7%

Medicare

15.4%

Non-Group

1.69%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC declined by 0.873% from 12.1% to 12%.

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