Watauga County, NC

County

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2021 Population

54,077

2.86% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

32.9

0.612% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

23.2%

5.35% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$48,786

5.02% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$249,500

1.42% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

26,207

2.79% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Watauga County, NC had a population of 54.1k people with a median age of 32.9 and a median household income of $48,786. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Watauga County, NC declined from 55,669 to 54,077, a −2.86% decrease and its median household income grew from $46,453 to $48,786, a 5.02% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Watauga County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (91.4%), White (Hispanic) (1.83%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.76%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.3%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.22%).

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.

98.2% of the residents in Watauga County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Watauga County, NC are Appalachian State University (5,301 degrees awarded in 2021) and Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine (17 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Watauga County, NC was $249,500, and the homeownership rate was 62.3%.

Most people in Watauga County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.7 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

Population & Diversity

Watauga County, NC is home to a population of 54.1k people, from which 98.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.19% of Watauga County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.72k people).

In 2021, there were 50.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (49.4k people) in Watauga County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 987 White (Hispanic) and 952 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.2%

2021 Citizenship

97.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.2% of Watauga County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Watauga County, NC was 97.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Watauga County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
49.4k ± 43
White (Hispanic)
987 ± 181
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
952 ± 154

3.89%

Hispanic Population

2.11k people

3.89% of the people in Watauga County, NC are hispanic (2.11k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

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

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

Foreign-Born Population

3.19%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.72k people

3.53%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.96k people

As of 2021, 3.19% of Watauga County, NC residents (1.72k 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 Watauga County, NC was 3.53%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,221 ± 260
Gulf War (2001-)
382 ± 158
Gulf War (1990s)
336 ± 150

Watauga County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Watauga County, NC employs 26.2k people. The largest industries in Watauga County, NC are Educational Services (4,727 people), Retail Trade (4,371 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,943 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($55,833), Utilities ($54,118), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($52,219).

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

26.2k

2021 Value

± 1,302

−2.79%

1 Year decline

± 7.18%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Watauga County, NC declined at a rate of −2.79%, from 27k employees to 26.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Watauga County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (3,842 people), Management Occupations (3,409 people), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (2,612 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Watauga 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

26.2k

2021 Value

± 1,302

−2.79%

1 Year decline

± 7.18%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Watauga County, NC declined at a rate of −2.79%, from 27k employees to 26.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Watauga County, NC, are Educational Services (4,727 people), Retail Trade (4,371 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,943 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.

Median Earnings by Industry

$31,880

Median earning men ± $3,071

$22,876

Median earning women ± $2,674

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($48,558), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($47,917), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,964).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($52,045), Information ($49,258), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($44,700).

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

559
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
430
Retail Trade
352
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

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

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$292k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$146k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$104k
Retail Trade

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

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

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

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

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

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

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

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

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in 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%).

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

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.

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 Watauga County, NC awarded 5,318 degrees. The student population of Watauga County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 8,664 male students and 12,049 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Watauga County, NC are White (4,479 and 84.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (341 and 6.45%), Black or African American (169 and 3.2%), and Two or More Races (164 and 3.1%).

The largest universities in Watauga County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Appalachian State University (5,301 and 99.7%) and Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine (17 and 0.32%).

The most popular majors in Watauga County, NC are General Psychology (312 and 5.87%), Kinesiology & Exercise Science (249 and 4.68%), and General Business Administration & Management (203 and 3.82%).

The median tuition cost in Watauga County, NC for a public four year colleges is $4,242 for in-state students and $19,849 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Watauga County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 22.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 20,713 (41.8% men and 58.2% 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 20,713 students enrolled in Watauga County, NC, 41.8% men and 58.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 16,795 records, of which 57.9% were women and 42.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Kinesiology & Exercise Science
228 degree-majors awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
166 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
307 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Watauga County, NC was Kinesiology & Exercise Science with 228 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

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Appalachian State University
5,301 degrees awarded
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
17 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Appalachian State University with 5,301 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 2,162 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Watauga County, NC, which is 0.685 times less than the 3,156 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 4,479 degrees mean that there were 13.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 341 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

Public, 4-year or above ($4,242) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,168) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($700) 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 Watauga County, NC was $249,500 in 2021, which is 1.02 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $246,000 to $249,500, a 1.42% increase. The homeownership rate in Watauga County, NC is 62.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Watauga County, NC have an average commute time of 20.7 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.

Median household income in Watauga County, NC is $48,786. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Watauga County, NC was Census Tract 9210 with a value of $75,000, followed by Census Tract 9207.02 and Census Tract 9208, with respective values of $72,345 and $70,517.

In 2022, 21.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Watauga County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 5.8%.

Housing

Property

$249,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$13,170

$12,970

Median Property Taxes

±$816

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 Watauga County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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

Rent vs Own

62.3%

Homeownership

2021

69.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 62.3% of the housing units in Watauga County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 60.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Watauga 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 9210
Census Tract 9207.02
Census Tract 9208

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Watauga County, NC was Census Tract 9210 with a value of $75,000, followed by Census Tract 9207.02 and Census Tract 9208, with respective values of $72,345 and $70,517.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Watauga 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.

$48,786

Median Household Income

± $3,859

20.8k

Number of Households

± 1,139

In 2021, the median household income of the 20.8k households in Watauga County, NC grew to $48,786 from the previous year's value of $46,453.

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.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Watauga 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 (74.7%)
Worked At Home (9.28%)
Carpooled (8.84%)

In 2021, 74.7% of workers in Watauga County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.28%) and those who carpooled to work (8.84%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

20.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Watauga County, NC have a shorter commute time (20.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.27% 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.

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.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 21.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Watauga County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 5.8%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

23.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Watauga County, NC (11.2k out of 48.4k 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 Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

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

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

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 12.9% of the children was living in poverty in Watauga County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 9.3%.

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 121 in Watauga County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 10.7 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

91% of the population of Watauga County, NC has health coverage, with 48.5% on employee plans, 9.56% on Medicaid, 12.4% on Medicare, 19.3% on non-group plans, and 1.34% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Watauga County, NC see 1146 patients per year on average, which represents a 14% decrease from the previous year (1332 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1411 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 235 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,146 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Watauga County, NC

Primary care physicians in Watauga County, NC see an average of 1,146 patients per year. This represents a 14% decrease from the previous year (1,332 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.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18% under 18 years, 34.1% between 18 and 34 years, 31.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 16% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

8.95%

Uninsured

48.5%

Employer Coverage

9.56%

Medicaid

12.4%

Medicare

19.3%

Non-Group

1.34%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Watauga County, NC declined by 11.8% from 10.1% to 8.95%.

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.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 63 in Watauga County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Watauga 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 32.4% in Watauga County, NC.

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

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