Watauga County, NC

County

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2020 Population

55,669

1.35% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

32.7

2.51% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

24.5%

3.49% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$46,453

2.26% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$246,000

3.36% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

26,959

4.7% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Watauga County, NC had a population of 55.7k people with a median age of 32.7 and a median household income of $46,453. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Watauga County, NC grew from 54,925 to 55,669, a 1.35% increase and its median household income declined from $47,526 to $46,453, a −2.26% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Watauga County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.6%), White (Hispanic) (1.81%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.68%), Other (Hispanic) (1.25%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.21%).

None of the households in Watauga 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.

97.8% of the residents in Watauga County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Watauga County, NC are Appalachian State University (5,317 degrees awarded in 2020) and Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine (9 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Watauga County, NC was $246,000, and the homeownership rate was 60.9%. Most people in Watauga County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Watauga County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Watauga County, NC borders Ashe County, NC, Avery County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Wilkes County, NC, and Johnson County, TN.

United States North Carolina Boone, NC

Diversity

Watauga County, NC is home to a population of 55.7k people, from which 97.8% are citizens. As of 2020, 3.53% of Watauga County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.96k people).

In 2020, there were 50.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (51k people) in Watauga County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.01k White (Hispanic) and 935 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Watauga County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
51k ± 32
White (Hispanic)
1.01k ± 214
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
935 ± 138

3.76%

Hispanic Population

2.09k people

3.76% of the people in Watauga County, NC are hispanic (2.09k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

3.53%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.96k people

2.94%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

1.61k people

As of 2020, 3.53% of Watauga County, NC residents (1.96k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Watauga County, NC was 2.94%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.7

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 6.7

In 2020, the median age of all people in Watauga County, NC was 32.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 32, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 37. But people in Watauga County, NC are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Watauga County, NC residents was 32.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
224,275 ± 11,501 people
India
74,765 ± 6,689 people
Honduras
37,815 ± 4,766 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 224,275 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 74,765 and Honduras with 37,815.

Citizenship

97.8%

2020 Citizenship

98.3%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 97.8% of Watauga County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Watauga County, NC was 98.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,241 ± 278
Gulf War (2001-)
399 ± 158
Gulf War (1990s)
276 ± 115

Watauga County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.11 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 Watauga County, NC is $46,453. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Watauga County, NC was Census Tract 9208 with a value of $74,922, followed by Census Tract 9210 and Census Tract 9207.02, with respective values of $72,411 and $70,104.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,357. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Watauga County, NC employs 27k people. The largest industries in Watauga County, NC are Educational Services (4,987 people), Accommodation & Food Services (4,136 people), and Retail Trade (4,002 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($72,386), Utilities ($52,930), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,375).

Wages

Median Household Income

$46,453

2020 value

± $2,534

−2.26%

1 Year Growth

± 7.59%

Households in Watauga County, NC have a median annual income of $46,453, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $47,526 in 2019, which represents a −2.26% annual growth.

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

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$65,285

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,177

$49,357

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $863

In 2020, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.32 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-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
$68,761 ± $4,586
White
$55,155 ± $864
Two or More Races
$42,126 ± $3,548

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.25 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 Watauga County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2020, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.395% decline from 2019 to 2020, 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 9208
Census Tract 9210
Census Tract 9207.02

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Watauga County, NC was Census Tract 9208 with a value of $74,922, followed by Census Tract 9210 and Census Tract 9207.02, with respective values of $72,411 and $70,104.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Males 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

24.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Watauga County, NC (12.2k out of 49.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

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
10,938 ± 784
Hispanic
722 ± 216
Other
342 ± 183

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

27k

2020 Value

± 1,323

4.7%

1 Year growth

± 6.29%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Watauga County, NC grew at a rate of 4.7%, from 25.7k employees to 27k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Watauga County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (3,692 people), Management Occupations (3,450 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,961 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Watauga County, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Watauga County, NC, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (3,692 people), Management Occupations (3,450 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,961 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Watauga County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1.98 times higher than expected), Personal Care & Service Occupations (1.5 times), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1.45 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Watauga County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($66,181), Legal Occupations ($63,750), and Business & Financial Operations Occupations ($56,389).

Industries

Employment by Industries

27k

2020 Value

± 1,323

4.7%

1 Year growth

± 6.29%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Watauga County, NC grew at a rate of 4.7%, from 25.7k employees to 27k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Watauga County, NC, are Educational Services (4,987 people), Accommodation & Food Services (4,136 people), and Retail Trade (4,002 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Watauga County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Watauga 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 Watauga County, NC, by number of employees, are Educational Services (4,987 people), Accommodation & Food Services (4,136 people), and Retail Trade (4,002 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Watauga County, NC has an unusually high number of Management of Companies & Enterprises (2.13 times higher than expected), Accommodation & Food Services (2.12 times), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing (2.11 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Watauga County, NC, by median earnings, are Finance & Insurance ($72,386), Utilities ($52,930), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($50,375).

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 $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).

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.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% 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
$35.1B
Virginia
$27B
Georgia
$18.5B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $35.1B, followed by Virginia with $27B and Georgia and $18.5B.

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 Watauga County, NC went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 53.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.2%). The most partisan county was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic 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

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (53.1%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.2%)
Libertarian Party

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

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Joseph R Biden Jr.

Popular Vote for Watauga County, NC

53.1% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Durham County, NC
80.4% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Yadkin County, NC
80% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Graham County, NC
79.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Durham County, NC with 80.4% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic 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 2020, universities in Watauga County, NC awarded 5,326 degrees. The student population of Watauga County, NC is skewed towards women, with 8,308 male students and 11,779 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Watauga County, NC are White (4,490 and 84.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (292 and 5.52%), Two or More Races (174 and 3.29%), and Black or African American (159 and 3%).

The largest universities in Watauga County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Appalachian State University (5,317 and 99.8%) and Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine (9 and 0.169%).

The most popular majors in Watauga County, NC are Kinesiology & Exercise Science (261 and 4.9%), General Psychology (261 and 4.9%), and General Biological Sciences (211 and 3.96%).

The median tuition cost in Watauga County, NC for a public four year colleges is $4,242 for in-state students and $19,049 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Kinesiology & Exercise Science
235 degree-majorss awarded
General Biological Sciences
187 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
250 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Watauga County, NC was Kinesiology & Exercise Science with 235 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Appalachian State University
5,317 degrees awarded
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
9 degrees awarded

$4,242

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Watauga County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Appalachian State University with 5,317 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

2,135

Degrees Awarded to Men

3,191

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 2,135 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Watauga County, NC, which is 0.669 times less than the 3,191 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Watauga County, NC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
4,490 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
292 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
174 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Watauga County, NC was White students. These 4,490 degrees mean that there were 15.4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 292 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Watauga County, NC was $246,000 in 2020, which is 1.07 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $238,000 to $246,000, a 3.36% increase. The homeownership rate in Watauga County, NC is 60.9%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Watauga County, NC have an average commute time of 20.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Watauga County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$246,000

2020 Median

± $9,934

$238,000

2019 Median

± $7,932

In 2020, the median property value in Watauga County, NC grew to to $246,000 from the previous year's value of $238,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Watauga 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 Watauga County, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

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

$46,453

Median Household Income

± $2,534

21.5k

Number of Households

± 1,152

In 2020, the median household income of the 21.5k households in Watauga County, NC declined from $46,453 from the previous year's value of $47,526.

The following chart displays the households in Watauga 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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Watauga County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Watauga County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

Rent vs Own

60.9%

2020 Homeownership

60.1%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 60.9% of the housing units in Watauga County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 60.1%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Watauga County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

20.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Watauga County, NC have a shorter commute time (20.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.24% of the workforce in Watauga County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (74.8%)
Carpooled (9.12%)
Worked At Home (8.3%)

In 2020, 74.8% of workers in Watauga County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.12%) and those who worked at home (8.3%).

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

Health

89.9% of the population of Watauga County, NC has health coverage, with 47.7% on employee plans, 9.45% on Medicaid, 12.3% on Medicare, 19.1% on non-group plans, and 1.35% 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 Watauga County, NC see 1332 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.893% decrease from the previous year (1344 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1518 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 243 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

1,332 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Watauga County, NC

Primary care physicians in Watauga County, NC see an average of 1,332 patients per year. This represents a 0.893% decrease from the previous year (1,344 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Watauga 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

10.1%

Uninsured

47.7%

Employer Coverage

9.45%

Medicaid

12.3%

Medicare

19.1%

Non-Group

1.35%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Watauga County, NC grew by 11.7% from 9.08% to 10.1%.

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