Catawba County, NC

County

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2021 Population

159,852

0.849% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

41.7

0.24% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

12.8%

3.54% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$57,840

5.76% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$163,100

4.42% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

75,196

0.423% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Catawba County, NC had a population of 160k people with a median age of 41.7 and a median household income of $57,840. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Catawba County, NC grew from 158,507 to 159,852, a 0.849% increase and its median household income grew from $54,690 to $57,840, a 5.76% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Catawba County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (74.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.02%), Other (Hispanic) (4.92%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.44%), and White (Hispanic) (3.3%).

None of the households in Catawba 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.

96% of the residents in Catawba County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Catawba County, NC are Catawba Valley Community College (1,587 degrees awarded in 2021) and Lenoir-Rhyne University (671 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Catawba County, NC was $163,100, and the homeownership rate was 70.4%.

Most people in Catawba County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Catawba County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Catawba County, NC borders Alexander County, NC, Burke County, NC, Caldwell County, NC, Iredell County, NC, and Lincoln County, NC.

United States North Carolina Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Population & Diversity

Catawba County, NC is home to a population of 160k people, from which 96% are citizens. As of 2021, 6.8% of Catawba County, NC residents were born outside of the country (10.9k people).

In 2021, there were 9.24 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (119k people) in Catawba County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.8k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 7.86k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96%

2021 Citizenship

96.1%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96% of Catawba County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Catawba County, NC was 96.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Catawba County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
119k ± 476
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
12.8k ± 582
Other (Hispanic)
7.86k ± 1.07k

10.1%

Hispanic Population

16.2k people

10.1% of the people in Catawba County, NC are hispanic (16.2k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

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

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

Foreign-Born Population

6.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

10.9k people

6.6%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

10.5k people

As of 2021, 6.8% of Catawba County, NC residents (10.9k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Catawba County, NC was 6.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,972 ± 342
Gulf War (2001-)
1,949 ± 368
Gulf War (1990s)
1,170 ± 209

Catawba County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.52 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Catawba County, NC employs 75.2k people. The largest industries in Catawba County, NC are Manufacturing (20,900 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,572 people), and Retail Trade (8,403 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($74,079), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($65,403), and Finance & Insurance ($60,592).

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

Employment

Occupations

75.2k

2021 Value

± 2,275

0.423%

1 Year growth

± 4.2%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Catawba County, NC grew at a rate of 0.423%, from 74.9k employees to 75.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Catawba County, NC, are Production Occupations (12,106 people), Management Occupations (7,913 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (7,829 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Catawba County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

75.2k

2021 Value

± 2,275

0.423%

1 Year growth

± 4.2%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Catawba County, NC grew at a rate of 0.423%, from 74.9k employees to 75.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Catawba County, NC, are Manufacturing (20,900 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (8,572 people), and Retail Trade (8,403 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Catawba County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Catawba County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,773

Median earning men ± $1,075

$31,509

Median earning women ± $1,023

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($73,750), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($56,117), and Wholesale Trade ($51,614).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($63,953), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,750), and Construction ($52,835).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

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

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,553
Manufacturing
1,433
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
954
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$3.98M
Manufacturing
$1.28M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$908k
Wholesale Trade

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

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

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

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

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

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

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

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

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Catawba County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 67.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (30.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.782%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (67.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (30.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.782%)
Libertarian Party

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

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

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

Education

In 2021, universities in Catawba County, NC awarded 2,258 degrees. The student population of Catawba County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 2,633 male students and 3,940 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Catawba County, NC are White (1,580 and 71%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (263 and 11.8%), Black or African American (134 and 6.03%), and Asian (133 and 5.98%).

The largest universities in Catawba County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Catawba Valley Community College (1,587 and 70.3%) and Lenoir-Rhyne University (671 and 29.7%).

The most popular majors in Catawba County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (437 and 19.4%), General Business Administration & Management (257 and 11.4%), and Registered Nursing (114 and 5.05%).

The median tuition cost in Catawba County, NC for private four year colleges is $41,500.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Catawba County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 85.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 9.19%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 6,573 (40.1% men and 59.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 6,573 students enrolled in Catawba County, NC, 40.1% men and 59.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,402 records, of which 60.3% were women and 39.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
50 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
24 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
437 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Catawba County, NC was Registered Nursing with 50 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Catawba Valley Community College
1,587 degrees awarded
Lenoir-Rhyne University
671 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Catawba Valley Community College with 1,587 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 975 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Catawba County, NC, which is 0.76 times less than the 1,283 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,580 degrees mean that there were 6.01 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 263 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 ($41,500) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($239) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,900) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

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

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

Educational Attainment

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

Race

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

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Catawba County, NC was $163,100 in 2021, which is 0.666 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $156,200 to $163,100, a 4.42% increase. The homeownership rate in Catawba County, NC is 70.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Catawba County, NC have an average commute time of 22.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Catawba County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Catawba County, NC is $57,840. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Catawba County, NC was Census Tract 105.02 with a value of $124,924, followed by Census Tract 115.03 and Census Tract 105.01, with respective values of $90,205 and $80,833.

In 2022, 12.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Catawba County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.0105%.

Housing

Property

$163,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,086

$44,654

Median Property Taxes

±$1,672

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

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

Rent vs Own

70.4%

Homeownership

2021

67%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 70.4% of the housing units in Catawba County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 70.9%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 105.02
Census Tract 115.03
Census Tract 105.01

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Catawba County, NC was Census Tract 105.02 with a value of $124,924, followed by Census Tract 115.03 and Census Tract 105.01, with respective values of $90,205 and $80,833.

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

Household Income

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

$57,840

Median Household Income

± $1,597

63.4k

Number of Households

± 2,097

In 2021, the median household income of the 63.4k households in Catawba County, NC grew to $57,840 from the previous year's value of $54,690.

The following chart displays the households in Catawba 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 $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

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

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (82.6%)
Carpooled (8.3%)
Worked At Home (5.53%)

In 2021, 82.6% of workers in Catawba County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.3%) and those who worked at home (5.53%).

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

22.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Catawba County, NC have a shorter commute time (22.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.93% of the workforce in Catawba County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 12.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Catawba County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.0105%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

12.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Catawba County, NC (20.1k out of 157k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 6 - 11.

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

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 17.2% of the children was living in poverty in Catawba County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 11.7%.

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

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

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

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

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

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 267 in Catawba County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 74 per 100,000 population.

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

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Health

88.3% of the population of Catawba County, NC has health coverage, with 44.6% on employee plans, 16.1% on Medicaid, 13.7% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 1.59% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Catawba County, NC see 1520 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.393% decrease from the previous year (1526 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1687 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 422 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,520 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Catawba County, NC

Primary care physicians in Catawba County, NC see an average of 1,520 patients per year. This represents a 0.393% decrease from the previous year (1,526 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.5% under 18 years, 18.9% between 18 and 34 years, 40% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

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

Uninsured People

11.7%

Uninsured

44.6%

Employer Coverage

16.1%

Medicaid

13.7%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

1.59%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Catawba County, NC grew by 3.2% from 11.3% to 11.7%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 43.4 in Catawba County, NC.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.7% in Catawba County, NC.

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

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