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Watauga County, North Carolina
Facts, statistics and data on population, demographics, income, economy, housing and education
Key Indicators
A quick look at key numbers
Population
55,123
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates
Median Age
31.4
years ∙ half population younger than 31.4, half older
Diversity Index
21.2%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Nativity
3.5%
foreign-born population
Geographic Context
Location, size, and surroundings
About
Watauga County is a county in North Carolina, United States.
Co-ordinates
DEC36.235368° N, 81.709888° W
DMS36° 14′ 07.32″ N, 81° 42′ 35.60″ W
Population Density & area
176.5/sq mi
(68.12/km²)
Demographics & Living
Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition
Population Composition
Key characteristics of the population
Sex Distribution
49.9%
male
Male
49.9%
Female
50.1%
males per 100 females
Watauga County
99.5
North Carolina
95.6
United States
98
Nativity
3.5%
foreign-born population
% Foreign-born
Watauga County
3.5%
North Carolina
9.1%
United States
14.1%
Age Distribution
How the population is spread across age groups
Median Age
31.4
years ∙ half population younger than 31.4, half older
Dependency ratio
41.3
dependents per 100 working-age adults
Watauga County
41.3
North Carolina
63.8
United States
64.4
AGE DISTRIBUTION
Distribution of age group
Median age
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Group | |||
| Children (Under 18) | 12.1% | 21.8% | 22% |
| Working age (18-64) | 70.8% | 61% | 60.8% |
| Senior (65+) | 17.1% | 17.2% | 17.2% |
| Dependency ratio | |||
| Total dependency ratio | 41.3 | 63.8 | 64.4 |
| Child dependency ratio | 17.1 | 35.6 | 36.1 |
| Old-age dependency ratio | 24.2 | 28.2 | 28.3 |
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares
Race & Ethnicity
Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.
Diversity Index
21.2%
chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity
Watauga County
21.2%
North Carolina
58.4%
United States
61.4%
Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.
RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION
Race & Ethnicity
Percentage of Watauga County population
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic or Latino | 6.2% | 11.3% | 19.3% |
| Mexican | 3.2% | 5.6% | 11.3% |
| Puerto Rican | 0.6% | 1.3% | 1.8% |
| Cuban | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.8% |
| Other Hispanic / Latino | 1.9% | 4.1% | 5.5% |
| Not Hispanic or Latino | 93.8% | 88.7% | 80.7% |
| One race | 91.1% | 84.6% | 76.4% |
| White | 88.5% | 60% | 57.4% |
| Black or African American | 1.6% | 20% | 11.9% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.1% | 0.8% | 0.5% |
| Asian | 0.9% | 3.3% | 5.9% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0% | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Some Other Race | 0.1% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 2.7% | 4.1% | 4.3% |
Household & Families Composition
Household size, type, and family structure
Household structure
51.1%
family
Family
51.1%
Non family
48.9%
% family households
Watauga County
51.1%
North Carolina
64.3%
United States
64.2%
Average household size
2.29
persons per household
Household & Family COMPOSITION
Households
Percentage of Watauga County population
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 21,198 | 4,282,345 | 129,227,496 |
| Average houshold size | 2.29 | 2.44 | 2.53 |
| Family households | 10,839 | 2,753,022 | 82,990,528 |
| Average family size | 2.8 | 3.03 | 3.14 |
| Married couple family | 8,812 | 2,021,951 | 60,637,388 |
| Other families | 2,027 | 731,071 | 22,353,140 |
| Male householder | 656 | 195,051 | 6,572,819 |
| Female householder | 1,371 | 536,020 | 15,780,321 |
| Non-family households | 10,359 | 1,529,323 | 46,236,968 |
| One-person households | 6,667 | 1,258,822 | 37,140,836 |
| Male householder | 3,019 | 544,050 | 16,871,444 |
| Senior (65+) living alone | 1,059 | 160,332 | 5,225,110 |
| Female householder | 3,648 | 714,772 | 20,269,392 |
| Senior (65+) living alone | 1,325 | 342,051 | 10,089,070 |
| Other living arrangements | 3,692 | 270,501 | 9,096,132 |
Housing Profile
Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens
Total housing units
33,355
housing units
Watauga County
33,355
North Carolina
4,895,668
United States
143,775,355
Occupancy status
63.6%
occupied
Occupied
63.6%
Vacant
36.4%
vacancy rate
Watauga County
36.4%
North Carolina
12.5%
United States
10.1%
Housing Characteristics
How the housing supply is structured and used
Types of Housing unit
65.9%
Single family houses
Median Year Built
1988
Half of houses were built before 1988, and half after.
Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.
Housing Characteristics
Units, rooms & bedrooms
Physical characteristics of housing units
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rooms per unit | |||
| Median rooms | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| 1–3 rooms | 14% | 11.4% | 15.1% |
| 4–6 rooms | 54.3% | 54.9% | 51.6% |
| 7+ rooms | 31.8% | 33.6% | 33.4% |
| Bedrooms | |||
| No bedroom / studio | 2.4% | 1.9% | 2.9% |
| 1 bedroom | 8.5% | 7.1% | 10.9% |
| 2 bedrooms | 28.7% | 23.8% | 25% |
| 3 bedrooms | 41.3% | 46.2% | 38.7% |
| 4+ bedrooms | 19.1% | 21% | 22.4% |
| At a glance | |||
| Median year built | 1988 | 1992 | 1981 |
| Total housing units | 33,355 | 4,895,668 | 143,775,355 |
Occupancy Profile
Who is inside and how they use it
Homeownership
62.1%
owners
Renter-occupied
37.9%
Owner-occupied
62.1%
homeownership rate
Watauga County
62.1%
North Carolina
66.6%
United States
65.2%
Average household size
2.31
Owner-occupied
2.25
Renter-occupied
owner-occupied average size
Watauga County
2.31
North Carolina
2.54
United States
2.64
Housing Characteristics
Occupied unit characteristics
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total occupied units | 21,198 | 4,282,345 | 129,227,496 |
| Year moved in | |||
| 2020 or later | 32.7% | 26.2% | 24.8% |
| 2010 to 2019 | 33.4% | 39.2% | 39.6% |
| 2000 to 2009 | 14% | 16.2% | 16.4% |
| 1999 or earlier | 19.9% | 18.5% | 19.1% |
| Occupants per room | |||
| 1.00 or fewer | 98.6% | 97.8% | 96.6% |
| 1.01 to 1.50 | 1% | 1.5% | 2.2% |
| 1.51 or more | 0.4% | 0.7% | 1.2% |
| Vehicles availability | |||
| No vehicles | 4.4% | 5.3% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 32% | 31.4% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 39% | 38% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 24.7% | 25.2% | 21.9% |
| House heating fuel used | |||
| Gas | 24.5% | 30.5% | 51.4% |
| Electricity | 55.1% | 65.5% | 41.3% |
| Solar | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.3% |
| Fuel oil, kerosene etc | 15.1% | 2% | 3.9% |
| All other fuels | 4.9% | 1.3% | 2% |
| No fuel used | 0.3% | 0.7% | 1.2% |
| Selected characteristics | |||
| Lacking complete plumbing | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Lacking complete kitchen | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| No telephone service available | 1.6% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
Housing Value
What owner-occupied units are worth
Median home value
$358,900
owner-occupied units
Housing Cost Burden
32.2%
of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened
Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.
Financial characteristics
Property value and housing costs
Tenure, crowding, and utilities
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property value | |||
| Median Value | $358,900 | $288,900 | $332,700 |
| Under $100,000 | 9.6% | 12.7% | 11.4% |
| $100,000 - $200,000 | 11% | 18.9% | 15.8% |
| $200,000 - $300,000 | 18.7% | 20.5% | 17.8% |
| $300,000 - $500,000 | 32.6% | 28.3% | 26.9% |
| $500,000 - $1,000,000 | 21.7% | 16.3% | 20.9% |
| $1,000,000 and more | 6.2% | 3.3% | 7.1% |
| Owner-occupied households | |||
| With a mortgage | 50.7% | 61.3% | 60.6% |
| Without a mortgage | 49.3% | 38.7% | 39.4% |
| Median monthly owner costs | |||
| With a mortgage | $1,668 | $1,631 | $1,963 |
| Without a mortgage | $449 | $490 | $638 |
| Gross rent | |||
| Median rent | $1,127 | $1,228 | $1,413 |
Education Profile
How educated is the community and how education pays off
Adults with a college degree
48.1%
of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
Watauga County
48.1%
North Carolina
35.7%
United States
35.7%
Adults without a high school diploma
7.3%
of adults (25+) without a high school diploma
Watauga County
7.3%
North Carolina
9.9%
United States
10.4%
School Enrollment
Who is enrolled in school and at what level
School enrollment
21,734
population (age 3+) enrolled in school
College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)
85.4%
of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school
Enrollment & school type
Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split
Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total enrolled (age 3+) | 21,734 | 2,530,102 | 80,089,790 |
| Nursery / preschool | 1.6% | 5.3% | 5.7% |
| K–12 | 23.3% | 67.4% | 67.6% |
| Kindergarten | 1.9% | 4.9% | 5% |
| Elementary: Grades 1–4 | 7.4% | 20% | 19.8% |
| Elementary: Grades 5–8 | 6.4% | 21% | 21% |
| High School: Grades 9–12 | 7.6% | 21.5% | 21.7% |
| College or graduate school | 75.1% | 27.3% | 26.7% |
| College, undergraduate | 68.3% | 21.7% | 21% |
| Graduate, professional school | 6.8% | 5.6% | 5.8% |
| College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds | 85.4% | 39.3% | 40.9% |
| School type | |||
| Public school | 92.6% | 82.3% | 82% |
| Private school | 7.4% | 17.7% | 18% |
Education Attainment by Level & Gender
What is the highest level of education completed among adults
Education attainment
31,109
population 25 years and over
Attainment by gender
Male vs Female
Adults (25+) · Share within each education level
Educational Attainment Overview
Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)
Highest credential completed · adults 25+
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (25+) | 31,109 | 7,380,330 | 230,807,303 |
| Less than 9th grade | 2.6% | 3.9% | 4.7% |
| 9th–12th, no diploma | 4.7% | 6% | 5.7% |
| High school diploma or GED | 20.8% | 24.8% | 26% |
| Some college, no degree | 16.6% | 19.6% | 19.1% |
| Associate's degree | 7.1% | 10.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48.1% | 35.7% | 35.7% |
| Bachelor's degree | 26.3% | 22.2% | 21.6% |
| Graduate or professional | 21.7% | 13.5% | 14.1% |
| High School or higher | 92.6% | 90.1% | 89.6% |
Earnings by education level
percentage as applicable
Median Earnings
$40,800
Median earnings for adults 25+, by level
Poverty Rate
8.2%
for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher
Outcomes by Education Level
Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)
Adults 25+
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median earnings | |||
| Population 25+, with earnings | $40,800 | $49,275 | $52,696 |
| Less than high school graduate | $27,428 | $31,234 | $32,485 |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | $27,193 | $37,346 | $40,153 |
| Some college or associate's degree | $31,164 | $43,525 | $47,260 |
| Bachelor's degree | $45,170 | $64,395 | $70,044 |
| Graduate or professional degree | $71,738 | $80,986 | $90,720 |
| Poverty rates | |||
| Less than high school graduate | 20.7% | 26.6% | 24.2% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 15.2% | 15.2% | 14.4% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 14.6% | 10% | 9.8% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8.2% | 4.2% | 4.5% |
Economy & Employment
Jobs, industries, and workforce at a glance
Labor Force
Who is working, looking for work, and participating in the economy
Adult Population (16+)
49,301
residents 16 years and over
Watauga County
49,301
North Carolina
8,672,106
United States
270,181,636
Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP)
54.3%
of residents age 16+ are employed
Watauga County
54.3%
North Carolina
58.6%
United States
59.7%
Note: The Employment-Population Ratio (EPOP) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is currently employed. Higher values indicate a larger proportion of residents holding jobs.
Labor Force Composition
Age and demographic makeup of the labor force
Median Age of Workers (16–64)
29
years ∙ half are younger than 29, half older
Note: Median worker age is based on adults age 16–64 who worked in the past 12 months.
Male-Female Labor Force Split
54.1%
male
Male
54.1%
Female
45.9%
Female Share of Labor Force (%)
Watauga County
45.9
North Carolina
47.7
United States
47.2
Labor force composition
Age and Gender Composition of the Labor Force (16+) in Watauga County
How the labor force age 16 and over is distributed across age groups and gender.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total labor force | 29,087 | 5,443,607 | 171,493,276 |
| Age distribution | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 10.3% | 4.2% | 4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 24.6% | 10% | 9.6% |
| 25 to 29 years | 7.9% | 11% | 11% |
| 30 to 34 years | 7.2% | 11.3% | 11.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 15.1% | 21% | 21.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 14.8% | 20.2% | 19.5% |
| 55 to 59 years | 6.6% | 9.1% | 9% |
| 60 to 64 years | 6.3% | 7.2% | 7.4% |
| 65 to 74 years | 5.8% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| 75 years and over | 1.2% | 0.9% | 1% |
| Gender composition | |||
| Male | 54.1% | 52.3% | 52.8% |
| Female | 45.9% | 47.7% | 47.2% |
Labor Force Participation
How much of the working-age population is active in the labor force?
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
59%
of adults age 16+ are in the labor force
Note: The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Participation Gap · Male vs Female
64.2%
of males age 16+ are in the labor force
53.8%
of females age 16+ are in the labor force
Female LFPR (%)
Watauga County
53.8%
North Carolina
58%
United States
58.9%
Note: LFPR measures the share of the male or female population age 16+ that is working or looking for work.
AGE & GENDER LFPR
Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Watauga County
Share of residents age 16+ working or seeking work, by age group, gender and race
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LFPR by age group | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 40.1% | 40.2% | 39.4% |
| 20 to 24 years | 67% | 75.7% | 75.4% |
| 25 to 29 years | 83.4% | 84.6% | 84.1% |
| 30 to 34 years | 82.9% | 83.8% | 84% |
| 35 to 44 years | 85.1% | 83.2% | 83.6% |
| 45 to 54 years | 83.6% | 81.2% | 82.1% |
| 55 to 59 years | 73.6% | 72.8% | 74.1% |
| 60 to 64 years | 53.7% | 57% | 59.2% |
| 65 to 74 years | 29.3% | 25.2% | 27.1% |
| 75 years and over | 9.6% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| LFPR by gender | |||
| Male | 64.2% | 67.9% | 68.2% |
| Female | 53.8% | 58% | 58.9% |
| LFPR by race, ethnicity | |||
| White | 58.9% | 61% | 62% |
| Black or African American | 51.5% | 63.7% | 63.5% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 32.6% | 56.8% | 62.3% |
| Asian | 60.7% | 70.1% | 66.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | 70.4% | 65.3% |
| Some Other Race | 67.4% | 71.4% | 67.7% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 63.4% | 68.8% | 67.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 66% | 71% | 68.3% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the share of the population age 16 and over that is working or looking for work.
Labor Force Status
Employment, unemployment, and labor force conditions
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
of the civilian labor force age 16+ is unemployed
Note: Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.
UNEMPLOYMENT GAP · MALE VS FEMALE
8.4%
of males age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
7.2%
of females age 16+ in civilian labor force are unemployed
male unemployment rate
Watauga County
8.4%
North Carolina
4.8%
United States
5.3%
Note: Male and female unemployment rates measure the share of each group's civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed and seeking work.
CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
Unemployment Rate in Watauga County
Share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is unemployed, by age group, gender and race
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| By age group | |||
| 16 to 19 years | 19.4% | 13.1% | 14.3% |
| 20 to 24 years | 12.2% | 8.9% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 29 years | 7.5% | 5.7% | 6% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3% | 4.5% | 5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 3.4% | 3.9% | 4.3% |
| 45 to 54 years | 2.9% | 3.3% | 3.9% |
| 55 to 59 years | 12.1% | 3.1% | 3.8% |
| 60 to 64 years | 1.2% | 3% | 3.7% |
| 65 to 74 years | 3.9% | 3% | 3.9% |
| 75 years and over | 0% | 2.9% | 3.9% |
| By gender | |||
| Male | 8.4% | 4.8% | 5.3% |
| Female | 7.2% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| By race, ethnicity | |||
| White | 7.8% | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Black or African American | 23.4% | 7.5% | 8.7% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0% | 6% | 7.8% |
| Asian | 0% | 4% | 4.4% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | 5% | 7.2% |
| Some Other Race | 4.3% | 4.9% | 6.3% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 6.7% | 5.8% | 6.3% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5.6% | 5% | 6.2% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
2.Unemployment rate measures the share of the civilian labor force age 16+ that is jobless and seeking work. It excludes residents not in the labor force, such as retirees and students.
Job Market
Where residents work, what types of employers they work for, and how they commute
Total employed population
26,768
employed residents 16 years and over
Employed population
Watauga County
26,768
North Carolina
5,084,958
United States
161,297,155
Note: Total employed population refers to the civilian employed population age 16 and over, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Full-time employment rate
53%
of employed residents 16 and older
Full-time employment (%)
Watauga County
53%
North Carolina
73%
United States
72%
Note: Total full-time employed population refers to civilians age 16 and over working full time throughout the year, excluding part-time workers.
Industries
The industries that employ Watauga County, North Carolina workforce and shape the local economy
Top Industry
About 1 in 6 workers
are employed in Educational services
Top 3 Industries
% of total workers
Educational services
16.2%
Retail trade
15.7%
Accommodation and food services
14.4%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Top industry by gender
Male
Retail trade employs the most men — 14.6% of 14,405 employed male workers
Female
Educational services employs the most women — 21.4% of 12,363 employed female workers
Note: Percentages reflect the share of employed males or females age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers.
Industries Distribution Table
Employment Distribution by Industries in Watauga County
Share of employed residents 16 and older · by industry
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employed population | 26,768 | 5,084,958 | 161,297,155 |
| Agriculture and mining | |||
| Agriculture | 0.4% | 0.9% | 1.2% |
| Mining and logging | 0% | 0.1% | 0.4% |
| Construction | 7.4% | 7.4% | 6.9% |
| Manufacturing | 4.5% | 11.7% | 9.9% |
| Wholesale trade | 1.2% | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Retail trade | 15.7% | 11.2% | 10.8% |
| Transportation and utilities | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | 2.3% | 4.6% | 5.1% |
| Utilities | 0.2% | 0.9% | 0.9% |
| Information | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.9% |
| Financial activities | |||
| Finance and Insurance | 2.3% | 5.3% | 4.8% |
| Real estate and leasing | 3.2% | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| Professional and business services | |||
| Professional and technical services | 6.3% | 8.2% | 8.3% |
| Corporate management | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Administrative and waste services | 3.8% | 4.4% | 4.2% |
| Education and health services | |||
| Educational services | 16.2% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| Health care and social assistance | 9.7% | 13.7% | 14.1% |
| Leisure and hospitality | |||
| Arts and recreation | 3.1% | 1.7% | 2.1% |
| Accommodation and food services | 14.4% | 6.7% | 6.6% |
| Other services | 5.4% | 4.9% | 4.7% |
| Government | 2.3% | 4.1% | 4.7% |
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the total civilian employed population age 16+ working in each industry, including both full-time and part-time workers. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Type of Employer
Whether residents work for private companies, government agencies, or are self-employed
Employment by employer type
66.8%
Private
Government
18.9%
Private Employment
66.8%
Self Employed
14.3%
Private employment (%)
Watauga County
66.8%
North Carolina
76.2%
United States
75.3%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed.
Self-employed workers
14.3%
of the workers are self-employed
Category
% of total workers
Incorporated business
6.5%
Unincorporated business
7.4%
Unpaid family workers
0.4%
Note: Percentages reflect the share of self-employed and unpaid family workers within the civilian employed population age 16+, excluding private-sector and government employees.
Percentages are rounded for readability and may not add up.
Type of employer
Employment distribution by employer type in Watauga County
Share of employed population 16 and older · by class of worker
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private wage & salary | 66.8% | 76.2% | 75.3% |
| For-profit company employees | 57.7% | 68.5% | 66.5% |
| Not-for-profit employees | 9% | 7.7% | 8.8% |
| Self-employed | 14.3% | 10% | 10.1% |
| Incorporated business | 6.5% | 4.1% | 4% |
| Unincorporated business | 7.4% | 5.7% | 6% |
| Unpaid family workers | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.2% |
| Government | 18.9% | 13.8% | 14.5% |
| Local government | 5.2% | 6.4% | 7.6% |
| State government | 12.9% | 5.2% | 4.2% |
| Federal government | 0.8% | 2.3% | 2.7% |
Note: Percentages reflect the share of the civilian employed population age 16+ by type of employer, including private-sector workers, government employees, and the self-employed. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Commute & Job Access
How residents commute to work and how long their daily travel takes
Work From Home Rate
10.4%
WFH
Work from home
10.4%
Commute to work
89.6%
Working from home (%)
Watauga County
10.4%
North Carolina
16.3%
United States
15.1%
Note: Percentages reflect workers age 16+ by work commute type, including those working from home and those commuting to a workplace.
Travel Time to Work
21.2 minutes
mean one-way travel time for commuters
Mean travel time (minutes)
Watauga County
21.2
North Carolina
25.1
United States
26.4
Note: Mean travel time measures the average one-way commute in minutes for employed residents 16+ who commute to work. It excludes those who worked from home.
Commute Patterns
Means of transportation and travel time to work in Watauga County
Employed residents 16+.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total employed population | 26,768 | 5,084,958 | 161,297,155 |
| Worked from home | 10.4% | 16.3% | 15.1% |
| Drove Alone | 72.5% | 71.5% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 9.9% | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 1.7% | 0.7% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 4.8% | 1.6% | 2.4% |
| Bicycle, taxi & other means | 0.7% | 1.5% | 2% |
| Commuting population | 22,982 | 4,253,446 | 135,071,605 |
| Mean travel time (minutes) | 21.2 | 25.1 | 26.4 |
| Less than 5 minutes | 4.2% | 2.9% | 3% |
| 5 to 14 minutes | 35.8% | 23.3% | 23% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 37.4% | 39.5% | 36.6% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 13.7% | 20.4% | 20.8% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.3% | 7.4% | 8% |
| 60 to 89 minutes | 2.2% | 4.4% | 5.8% |
| 90 minutes or more | 2.4% | 2.1% | 2.7% |
Note: Means of transportation distribution shows the share of employed residents 16+ by how they primarily get to work. Travel time distribution and mean travel time are calculated only for commuting residents — those who did not work from home. Percentages are rounded for readability and may not sum to 100%.
Wages & Earnings
What employed residents earn — by industry, occupation, and type of employer
Median Earnings
$50,169
median annual earnings · full-time year-round workers
Median annual earnings
Watauga County
$50,169
North Carolina
$56,608
United States
$61,859
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older. Part-time and part-year workers are excluded.
Gender earnings gap
83 ¢
per $1 earned by men
women earning per $1 earned by male
Watauga County
83¢
North Carolina
83¢
United States
82¢
Note: Gender earnings gap measures how much women earn for every $1 earned by men, among full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older.
Top Earnings By industry
How median earnings vary across the industries where Watauga County, North Carolina workers are employed
Highest-paying industry
$87,656
Workers in Utilities report the highest median earnings
Top Industries
Median annual earnings
Utilities
$87,656
Agriculture
$82,604
Professional and technical services
$70,775
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, based on the worker's industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Highest-paying industry by gender
Male
Men working in Finance and Insurance earn the highest median earnings — $168,370, compared to $56,951 for all employed men
Female
Women working in Agriculture earn the highest median earnings — $84,375, compared to $47,276 for all employed women
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry and gender.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Earnings Distribution Table
Earnings by industry in Watauga County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by industry
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Earnings | $50,169 | $56,608 | $61,859 |
| Agriculture and mining | |||
| Agriculture | $82,604 | $43,861 | $45,892 |
| Mining and logging | $— | $79,224 | $86,268 |
| Construction | $60,962 | $51,497 | $59,718 |
| Manufacturing | $47,392 | $57,065 | $65,243 |
| Wholesale trade | $45,974 | $62,216 | $64,875 |
| Retail trade | $36,250 | $41,807 | $44,926 |
| Transportation and utilities | |||
| Transportation and warehousing | $32,159 | $54,197 | $58,006 |
| Utilities | $87,656 | $82,617 | $91,656 |
| Information | $51,902 | $74,050 | $87,180 |
| Financial activities | |||
| Finance and Insurance | $61,607 | $88,778 | $83,271 |
| Real estate and leasing | $56,304 | $61,234 | $65,651 |
| Professional and business services | |||
| Professional and technical services | $70,775 | $96,538 | $99,546 |
| Corporate management | $— | $85,938 | $99,442 |
| Administrative and waste services | $40,098 | $43,251 | $47,120 |
| Education and health services | |||
| Educational services | $60,809 | $54,785 | $62,720 |
| Health care and social assistance | $47,862 | $55,211 | $58,751 |
| Leisure and hospitality | |||
| Arts and recreation | $51,875 | $48,830 | $51,274 |
| Accommodation and food services | $31,858 | $32,819 | $36,287 |
| Other services | $36,046 | $45,968 | $49,232 |
| Government | $55,399 | $62,469 | $75,907 |
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by industry of employment.
2. Industry categories are based on the NAICS classification system.
Top Earnings By Employer Type
How median earnings vary depending on whether residents work for private businesses, government agencies, or are self-employed
Highest-paying employer type
$91,490
Workers in Federal government roles report the highest median earnings
Top employer types
Median annual earnings
Federal government
$91,490
State government
$62,120
Own incorporated business
$60,956
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Highest-paying employer type by gender
Male
Men in Federal government roles earn the highest median earnings — $91,779, compared to $56,951 for all employed men
Female
Women in Nonprofit organization roles earn the highest median earnings — $59,034, compared to $47,276 for all employed women
Note: Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by employer type and gender.
Earnings by employer type
Earnings by employer type in Watauga County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by employer type
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private wage & salary | |||
| For-profit company employees | $46,321 | $55,590 | $60,496 |
| Not-for-profit employees | $60,051 | $62,753 | $65,589 |
| Self-employed | |||
| Incorporated business | $60,956 | $68,071 | $73,960 |
| Unincorporated business | $34,063 | $43,610 | $47,798 |
| Government | |||
| Local government | $50,642 | $53,400 | $63,995 |
| State government | $62,120 | $58,172 | $65,197 |
| Federal government | $91,490 | $74,081 | $83,481 |
Note: Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by class of worker.
Top Earnings By Occupations
How median earnings vary across the occupations Watauga County, North Carolina workers hold
Highest-paying occupation
$120,795
Workers in Legal occupation report the highest median earnings
Top occupation groups
Median annual earnings
Legal
$120,795
Architecture and engineering
$88,500
Firefighting and emergency services
$72,692
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Highest-paying occupation by gender
Male
Among employed men, workers in Legal occupations earn the highest median earnings — $121,989 versus $56,951 overall
Female
Among employed women, workers in Management occupations earn the highest median earnings — $67,039 versus $47,276 overall
Note:
1. Median earnings reflect annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation group and gender.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Earnings by occupation
Earnings by occupation in Watauga County
Median annual earnings · full-time, year-round workers 16 and older · by occupation
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median earnings(Total) | $50,169 | $56,608 | $61,859 |
| Management and business | |||
| Management | $65,748 | $90,202 | $95,511 |
| Business and finance | $72,500 | $82,221 | $85,333 |
| Technology and science | |||
| Computer and math | $70,075 | $104,107 | $106,999 |
| Architecture and engineering | $88,500 | $95,892 | $102,526 |
| Sciences | $66,162 | $76,053 | $84,877 |
| Education, legal, and arts | |||
| Community and Social Service | $59,028 | $56,353 | $58,943 |
| Legal | $120,795 | $102,257 | $113,997 |
| Education, Training and Library | $64,491 | $52,253 | $61,591 |
| Arts, design and media | $45,417 | $62,008 | $69,945 |
| Healthcare | |||
| Doctors, Nurses & Medical Professionals | $64,336 | $88,883 | $95,504 |
| Health technicians | $27,256 | $50,868 | $54,377 |
| Healthcare support | $36,893 | $37,084 | $37,780 |
| Protective Service | |||
| Firefighting and emergency services | $72,692 | $52,195 | $54,969 |
| Law enforcement | $59,130 | $60,617 | $78,427 |
| Other services | |||
| Food preparation and serving | $35,000 | $28,520 | $31,969 |
| Building and grounds cleaning | $32,192 | $34,046 | $36,545 |
| Personal care and service | $34,091 | $34,535 | $36,137 |
| Sales and office | |||
| Sales | $43,526 | $54,546 | $58,713 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $41,917 | $45,266 | $47,965 |
| Trades and natural resources | |||
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $— | $37,113 | $37,492 |
| Construction and extraction | $43,977 | $44,719 | $53,180 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $37,917 | $55,215 | $60,226 |
| Production and transportation | |||
| Production | $38,750 | $44,006 | $48,805 |
| Transportation | $31,092 | $51,282 | $55,051 |
| Material moving | $30,268 | $36,246 | $38,558 |
Note:
1. Earnings reflect median annual earnings for full-time, year-round workers age 16 and older, by occupation.
2. Occupation groups follow the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
Income & Financial Security
Earnings, income distribution, and economic pressure points
Household Income
What households earn, where income comes from, and how household structure shapes earnings
Median Household Income
$51,693
Median household income in Watauga County
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Watauga County,
including family and non-family households.
2. Median household income represents the midpoint of household incomes,
with half of households earning more and half earning less.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Per capita income
$34,167
Per capita income in Watauga County
Note:
1. Based on income across all residents in Watauga County, per capita income represents the average income per person, calculated by dividing total income by the total population, including adults and children.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income level
How household income, per-capita income, and local earnings compare to broader benchmarks
Mean Household Income
$83,665
Average household income in Watauga County
Note:
1. Based on income across all household types in Watauga County, including family and non-family households, mean household income is the average of all household incomes and is often higher than the median due to the influence of higher-income households.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Mean vs median household income
$83,665
Mean household income
$51,693
Median household income
Mean-median gap (USD)
Watauga County
$31,972
North Carolina
$28,820
United States
$32,796
Note:
1. A larger mean-median gap indicates greater income inequality, as it generally signals a wider concentration of income at the upper end of the distribution.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Level
Household and per capita income in Watauga County
Household, family, non-family, and per-capita income measures compared across Watauga County and peer geographies.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 21,198 | 4,282,345 | 129,227,496 |
| Median household income | $51,693 | $72,388 | $80,734 |
| Mean household income | $83,665 | $101,208 | $113,530 |
| Mean-median gap | $31,972 | $28,820 | $32,796 |
| Family households | 10,839 | 2,753,022 | 82,990,528 |
| Median family income | $82,433 | $90,290 | $99,999 |
| Mean family income | $117,931 | $120,769 | $134,109 |
| Mean-median gap | $35,498 | $30,479 | $34,110 |
| Non-family households | 10,359 | 1,529,323 | 46,236,968 |
| Median non-family income | $31,339 | $43,909 | $48,618 |
| Mean non-family income | $46,302 | $62,047 | $71,134 |
| Mean-median gap | $14,963 | $18,138 | $22,516 |
| Other Benchmarks | |||
| Per capita income | $34,167 | $41,385 | $44,673 |
Note:
1. Household, family, and non-family income measures are based on their respective household types.
2. Per capita income is based on all residents and represents total income divided by the total population, including adults and children.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income sources
Where household income comes from, including wages, retirement income, and public assistance
Households with earnings
76.9%
of households have wages, salaries, or self-employment income
Note: Includes households where at least one member received wages, salaries, or net self-employment income during the year.
Transfer income dependency
Social Security
32.1% of households (6,801) receive Social Security income, with an average annual benefit of $25,813
SSI (disability)
2.3% of households (494) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), with an average annual benefit of $10,119
Cash Assistance
1.8% of households (376) receive cash public assistance income, with an average annual amount of $10,119
SNAP / Food Stamps
7.5% of households (1,589) receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits.
Note: Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Sources
Income sources for households in Watauga County
Share of households receiving each income type
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 21,198 | 4,282,345 | 129,227,496 |
| Wage-based income | |||
| With earnings | 77% | 77% | 78% |
| Retirement and disability income | |||
| Social security | 32% | 32% | 31% |
| Average social security income | $25,813 | $24,506 | $24,367 |
| Retirement income | 23% | 25% | 24% |
| Average retirement income | $33,416 | $30,271 | $33,349 |
| SSI (Supplemental security) | 2% | 5% | 5% |
| Average SSI income | $10,119 | $11,220 | $11,477 |
| Public assistance | |||
| SNAP / food stamps | 8% | 13% | 12% |
| Cash assistance | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Note:
1. Percentages reflect the share of households receiving each income type during the year.
2. Categories are not mutually exclusive; households may receive more than one income type.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by household type
How income levels vary across different household and family structures
Median income by household type
$82,433
Family households earn $82,433, compared to $31,339 for those living alone or with non-relatives.
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Median income by family type
$92,271
Married-couple families earn $92,271, compared to $42,614 for single-parent and other family types.
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types include single-parent households and families headed by a householder with no spouse present.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income By Household Type
Median income by household and family size in Watauga County
Median household and family income by household size in Watauga County, compared with peer geographies.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total households | 21,198 | 4,282,345 | 129,227,496 |
| Household income by size | |||
| 1-person | $30,939 | $38,679 | $41,531 |
| 2-person | $61,250 | $82,494 | $89,421 |
| 3-person | $53,417 | $95,181 | $105,720 |
| 4-person | $72,230 | $111,274 | $122,780 |
| 5-person | $100,000 | $102,009 | $115,998 |
| 6-person | $133,250 | $97,888 | $114,729 |
| 7-person or more | $126,409 | $101,649 | $124,557 |
| Total families | 10,839 | 2,753,022 | 82,990,528 |
| Family income by size | |||
| 2-person | $74,772 | $80,630 | $86,867 |
| 3-person | $80,246 | $93,523 | $103,132 |
| 4-person | $98,784 | $113,006 | $123,422 |
| 5-person | $113,472 | $102,756 | $116,064 |
| 6-person | $133,438 | $97,603 | $113,447 |
| 7-person or more | $126,548 | $99,784 | $119,745 |
Note:
1. Household and family size includes all people living in the unit.
2. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income Distribution
How income is distributed across households and how evenly earnings are shared
Income Concentration
56.58%
of all household income is held by the top 20% of households
Bottom 20%
2.09%
of all household income
Top 20%
56.58%
of all household income
Key insights
- The top fifth of households earn nearly three-fifths of all income in the area. The bottom fifth hold just 2.09% — meaning the top 20% hold 27 times the income share of the bottom 20%.
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
The Top 5%
$448,065
is the average income among the top 5% of households
Bottom 40% combined
9%
of all household income
Top 5% alone
26.78%
of all household income
Key insights
- The top 5% of households earn an average of $448,065 and hold 26.78% of all household income — far more than the entire bottom 40% of households combined, who hold just 9%
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. The top 5% threshold represents the minimum income needed to rank among the highest-earning 5% of households. Average income figures reflect the mean within each group.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income ranges
The distribution of households across income ranges and how the local profile compares
Income Distribution
Note:
1. Income ranges reflect gross household income before taxes. Percentages reflect the share of all households falling within each range.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Households earning $100K or more
26.3%
of all households, 5,572 in total, earn $100,000 or more
% $100k+
Watauga County
26.3%
North Carolina
35.3%
United States
40.5%
Note: Share reflects the percentage of all households with total annual income of $100,000 or more, based on gross household income before taxes.
Household income brackets
Household income brackets in Watauga County
Distribution of households across income ranges, with cumulative shares in Watauga County, compared with peer geographies.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,693 | $72,388 | $80,734 |
| Income bracket | |||
| Less than $10,000 | 11.5% | 5% | 5% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 4.3% | 3.7% | 3.4% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 10.6% | 7.1% | 6.3% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 9.7% | 7.4% | 6.6% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 12.5% | 11.7% | 10.1% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 14.8% | 16.8% | 15.5% |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 10.3% | 13% | 12.6% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 11.9% | 16.6% | 17.5% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 7.1% | 8.3% | 9.6% |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | 10.4% | 13.4% |
| Cumulative Shares | |||
| Share below $35,000 | 36.1% | 23.2% | 21.3% |
| Share below $75,000 | 63.4% | 51.7% | 46.9% |
| Share above $100,000 | 26.3% | 35.3% | 40.5% |
Note:
1. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income inequality
How evenly income is distributed within the community and how inequality compares with broader geographies
Gini Index of Income Inequality
0.54
Scale: 0 (Perfect Equality) – 1 (Perfect Inequality)
Gini index
Watauga County
0.54
North Carolina
0.48
United States
0.48
Note: The Gini Index measures the distribution of income across households. Values range from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (perfect inequality), with higher values indicating greater income inequality.
Earnings Gap
$236,705
is the average income of the top 20% of households
Key insights
- The top 20% of households earn an average of $236,705 compared to $8,726 for the bottom 20%. Households in the middle earn $52,506 on average.
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Income shares are calculated by dividing each group's aggregate income by total household income. All households are ranked from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups of 20%.
2. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Household income distribution
Household income distribution by income groups — upper limits, mean incomes, and income shares in Watauga County
Distribution of household income across five equal groups
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest household income in each group ($) | |||
| Bottom 20% | $18,183 | $30,706 | $33,040 |
| Lower 20% | $40,299 | $57,016 | $63,330 |
| Middle 20% | $67,260 | $90,192 | $101,088 |
| Upper 20% | $125,080 | $144,687 | $162,235 |
| Top 5% threshold | $242,896 | $250,001 | $250,001 |
| Average household income within each group ($) | |||
| Bottom 20% | $8,726 | $16,102 | $17,079 |
| Lower 20% | $28,901 | $43,624 | $48,012 |
| Middle 20% | $52,506 | $72,714 | $81,211 |
| Upper 20% | $91,486 | $114,186 | $128,012 |
| Top 20% | $236,705 | $259,413 | $293,336 |
| Top 5% | $448,065 | $464,413 | $528,428 |
| Share of total income (%) | |||
| Bottom 20% | 2.09% | 3.18% | 3.01% |
| Lower 20% | 6.91% | 8.62% | 8.46% |
| Middle 20% | 12.55% | 14.37% | 14.31% |
| Upper 20% | 21.87% | 22.56% | 22.55% |
| Top 20% | 56.58% | 51.26% | 51.67% |
| Top 5% | 26.78% | 22.94% | 23.27% |
Note:
1. All households are ranked by income from lowest to highest and divided into five equal groups, each representing 20% of households.
2. Bottom 20% = the lowest-earning 20% of households; Top 20% = the highest-earning 20%.
3. The top 5% threshold is the minimum income needed to be among the highest-earning 5% of households.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race & ethnicity
How household income levels vary across racial and ethnic groups within the area
Median Household Income · by race & ethnicity
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Median Household Income · White vs. Black Households
White
Among the 19,769 White households (93.3% of all households), the median household income is $53,130.
Black
Among the 247 Black or African American households (1.2% of all households), the median household income is $33,878.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
3. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Income by race and ethnicity
Median Household Income by race and Hispanic origin in Watauga County
Median household income by race and Hispanic origin, compared to the North Carolina and United States.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Residents | $51,693 | $72,388 | $80,734 |
| White | $53,130 | $80,333 | $86,271 |
| Black or African American | $33,878 | $52,390 | $55,157 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | $50,333 | $48,615 | $62,420 |
| Asian | $— | $120,193 | $116,503 |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | $— | $82,697 | $81,811 |
| Some Other Race | $19,361 | $58,257 | $67,563 |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | $33,175 | $69,199 | $75,660 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $32,842 | $62,341 | $71,415 |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Median household income figures reflect all households regardless of employment status of the householder.
4. Amounts shown in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars, as reported by the Census Bureau.
Poverty
Poverty levels across the community and the groups most affected
Poverty Rate
25.5%
25.5% of residents, or 12,395 people, live below the poverty line.
Note: The poverty rate reflects the share of the total population with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Working Poor
4.1%
4.1% of full-time, year-round workers, or 577 people, earn below the poverty line despite working full time.
Note: The working poor rate measures the share of full-time, year-round civilian workers age 16+ whose income falls below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty levels
How widespread poverty is within the area and how local levels compare with broader geographies
CHILD POVERTY RATE
13.4%
13.4% of children under 18, or 884 children, live below the poverty line.
Note: Child poverty rate reflects the share of residents under age 18 with household income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
SENIOR POVERTY RATE
8%
8% of adults aged 65 and older, or 750 seniors, live below the poverty line.
Note: Senior poverty rate reflects the share of residents aged 65 and over with income below the federal poverty threshold, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Poverty Rates
Poverty distribution by age, sex, and work engagement
Share of population below the federal poverty level
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall poverty rate | 25.5% | 13% | 12.5% |
| Poverty by age | |||
| Under 18 years | 13.4% | 17.7% | 16.1% |
| Under 5 years | 17.5% | 18.9% | 17.3% |
| 5 to 17 years | 12.1% | 17.3% | 15.7% |
| 18 to 64 years | 32.8% | 12% | 11.6% |
| 18 to 34 years | 53.4% | 14.9% | 14.2% |
| 35 to 64 years | 12.2% | 10.4% | 10.1% |
| 65 years and over | 8% | 10.6% | 10.8% |
| Poverty by sex | |||
| Male | 28% | 11.8% | 11.3% |
| Female | 22.7% | 14.2% | 13.6% |
| Poverty by work engagement | |||
| Worked full time, year-round | 4.1% | 2.6% | 2.3% |
| Worked part time or part year | 46.9% | 16.1% | 15% |
| Did not work | 27.2% | 21.3% | 21.4% |
Note:
1. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
2. Work engagement categories are based on weeks and hours worked in the prior 12 months.
Poverty by household type
How poverty rates vary across family structures and household types
Poverty by household type
24.1%
of all households are below the poverty level
Key insights
- 9% of family households (979 families) live below the poverty line, compared to 39.9% of nonfamily households (4,136 households).
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty among family households
9%
of families are below the poverty level
Key insights
- 4.3% of married-couple families (381 families) live below the poverty line, compared to 29.5% of single-parent and other family types (598 families).
- Need additional insights? Ask NEIL. ➔
Note:
1. Married-couple families and other families are subsets of family households, which include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Other family types are predominantly single-parent households.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by household type
Poverty rates by household type and age of householder in Watauga County
Share of households below the federal poverty level by type and householder age
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS | |||
| All ages | 9% | 9.2% | 8.8% |
| Householder under 25 years | 43.6% | 22.2% | 24.6% |
| Householder 25 to 44 years | 14.6% | 13% | 12.2% |
| Householder 45 to 64 years | 7.1% | 7% | 6.5% |
| Householder 65 years and over | 4% | 6% | 6% |
| NON FAMILY HOUSEHOLDS | |||
| All ages | 39.9% | 19.8% | 19.4% |
| Householder under 25 years | 74% | 36.8% | 35.7% |
| Householder 25 to 44 years | 18.7% | 12.3% | 12.2% |
| Householder 45 to 64 years | 26.4% | 21.5% | 21.7% |
| Householder 65 years and over | 20% | 20.5% | 20% |
Note:
1. Family households include two or more people related by birth, marriage, or adoption.
2. Nonfamily households include people living alone or with unrelated individuals.
3. Householder age reflects the age of the person in whose name the housing unit is owned or rented.
4. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race & ethnicity
How poverty rates vary across racial and ethnic groups and how those differences compare locally
Poverty rates by race & ethnicity
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race — Black vs. White
White
24.7% of White residents, or 10,916 people, live below the poverty line.
Black
66.9% of Black or African American residents, or 463 people, live below the poverty line.
Note:
1. White and Black race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
Poverty by race and ethnicity
Poverty rates by race and Hispanic origin in Watauga County
Share of population below the federal poverty level in Watauga County and peer geographies.
| Watauga County | North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Residents | 25.5% | 13% | 12.5% |
| White | 24.7% | 9.6% | 9.7% |
| Black or African American | 66.9% | 19.9% | 21.2% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 19.3% | 22% | 21.1% |
| Asian | 44.8% | 8.2% | 9.9% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | —% | 21.5% | 16.8% |
| Some Other Race | 32.2% | 22.6% | 18.2% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) | 23.1% | 16.6% | 14.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 26.8% | 20.7% | 16.7% |
Note:
1. Race groups refer to individuals reporting a single race alone and may include people of Hispanic or Latino origin.
2. Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity and may include individuals of any race, so categories may overlap.
3. Poverty thresholds are set annually by the U.S. Census Bureau and vary by household size and composition.
About Neilsberg Research
Neilsberg Research team are data scientists with expertise in processing, analysis and visualization of big data helping small businesses make right decisions.
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