Jackson County, NC

County

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2021 Population

42,983

1.04% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

38.6

0.26% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

19.2%

6.69% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$47,989

2.5% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$211,500

2.22% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

18,835

1.64% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Jackson County, NC had a population of 43k people with a median age of 38.6 and a median household income of $47,989. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Jackson County, NC declined from 43,435 to 42,983, a −1.04% decrease and its median household income grew from $46,820 to $47,989, a 2.5% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Jackson County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (79.6%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (7.46%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.49%), Other (Hispanic) (2.51%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.12%).

None of the households in Jackson County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.2% of the residents in Jackson County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Jackson County, NC are Western Carolina University (3,186 degrees awarded in 2021) and Southwestern Community College (199731) (802 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Jackson County, NC was $211,500, and the homeownership rate was 63.3%.

Most people in Jackson County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Jackson County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Jackson County, NC borders Rabun County, GA, Haywood County, NC, Macon County, NC, Swain County, NC, Transylvania County, NC, and Oconee County, SC.

United States North Carolina Cullowhee, NC

Population & Diversity

Jackson County, NC is home to a population of 43k people, from which 97.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.75% of Jackson County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.61k people).

In 2021, there were 10.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (34.2k people) in Jackson County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 3.21k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and 1.5k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.2%

2021 Citizenship

97.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97.2% of Jackson County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Jackson County, NC was 97.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Jackson County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
34.2k ± 111
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
3.21k ± 267
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.5k ± 345

6.34%

Hispanic Population

2.72k people

6.34% of the people in Jackson County, NC are hispanic (2.72k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Jackson 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

3.75%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.61k people

3.22%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.4k people

As of 2021, 3.75% of Jackson County, NC residents (1.61k 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 Jackson County, NC was 3.22%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,293 ± 245
Gulf War (2001-)
430 ± 179
Gulf War (1990s)
275 ± 114

Jackson County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.01 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Jackson County, NC employs 18.8k people. The largest industries in Jackson County, NC are Educational Services (2,918 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,759 people), and Retail Trade (2,306 people), and the highest paying industries are Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($58,125), Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($55,318), and Wholesale Trade ($50,385).

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

18.8k

2021 Value

± 1,260

−1.64%

1 Year decline

± 9.58%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Jackson County, NC declined at a rate of −1.64%, from 19.1k employees to 18.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Jackson County, NC, are Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1,959 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,928 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,735 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Jackson 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

18.8k

2021 Value

± 1,260

−1.64%

1 Year decline

± 9.58%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Jackson County, NC declined at a rate of −1.64%, from 19.1k employees to 18.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Jackson County, NC, are Educational Services (2,918 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,759 people), and Retail Trade (2,306 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Jackson County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Jackson County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$32,584

Median earning men ± $1,949

$27,066

Median earning women ± $4,159

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,516), Wholesale Trade ($50,513), and Public Administration ($44,628).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($66,406), Information ($45,764), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($37,586).

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

313
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
227
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
204
Retail Trade

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

$184k
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation and Accommodation & Food Services
$175k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$55.1k
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 Jackson County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 53% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.8%), 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

Donald J. Trump (53%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.2%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Jackson County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 53% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (44.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.2%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Jackson 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 Jackson County, NC awarded 3,988 degrees. The student population of Jackson County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 5,894 male students and 8,487 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Jackson County, NC are White (3,144 and 80.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (267 and 6.8%), Black or African American (175 and 4.46%), and American Indian or Alaska Native (134 and 3.41%).

The largest universities in Jackson County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Western Carolina University (3,186 and 79.9%) and Southwestern Community College (199731) (802 and 20.1%).

The most popular majors in Jackson County, NC are General Business Administration & Management (365 and 9.15%), Registered Nursing (234 and 5.87%), and Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (166 and 4.16%).

The median tuition cost in Jackson County, NC for a public four year colleges is $1,000 for in-state students and $5,000 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Jackson County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 79.4%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 14,381 (41% men and 59% 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 14,381 students enrolled in Jackson County, NC, 41% men and 59% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 11,070 records, of which 59% were women and 41% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Criminal Justice - Safety Studies
157 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
242 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
167 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Jackson County, NC was Criminal Justice - Safety Studies with 157 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Western Carolina University
3,186 degrees awarded
Southwestern Community College (199731)
802 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Carolina University with 3,186 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,599 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Jackson County, NC, which is 0.669 times less than the 2,389 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 3,144 degrees mean that there were 11.8 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 267 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, 2-year ($2,392) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,367) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) 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 Jackson County, NC was $211,500 in 2021, which is 0.864 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $206,900 to $211,500, a 2.22% increase. The homeownership rate in Jackson County, NC is 63.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Jackson County, NC have an average commute time of 19.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Jackson County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Jackson County, NC is $47,989. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Jackson County, NC was Census Tract 9509 with a value of $71,328, followed by Census Tract 9502 and Census Tract 9504, with respective values of $67,628 and $58,433.

In 2022, 16.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jackson County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.166%.

Housing

Property

$211,500

Median Property Value 2021

±$18,059

$10,691

Median Property Taxes

±$756

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

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

Rent vs Own

63.3%

Homeownership

2021

69%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 63.3% of the housing units in Jackson County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 63.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Jackson 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 9509
Census Tract 9502
Census Tract 9504

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Jackson County, NC was Census Tract 9509 with a value of $71,328, followed by Census Tract 9502 and Census Tract 9504, with respective values of $67,628 and $58,433.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Jackson 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.

$47,989

Median Household Income

± $2,592

16.9k

Number of Households

± 1,097

In 2021, the median household income of the 16.9k households in Jackson County, NC grew to $47,989 from the previous year's value of $46,820.

The following chart displays the households in Jackson 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 $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Jackson 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 (81.4%)
Carpooled (8.17%)
Worked At Home (4.86%)

In 2021, 81.4% of workers in Jackson County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.17%) and those who worked at home (4.86%).

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

19.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Jackson County, NC have a shorter commute time (19.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 0.802% of the workforce in Jackson County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Jackson 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 Jackson County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Jackson County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 16.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Jackson County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.166%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

19.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Jackson County, NC (7.55k out of 39.2k 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 Jackson 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, 20% of the children was living in poverty in Jackson County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 9.7%.

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 214 in Jackson County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 176 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

84.8% of the population of Jackson County, NC has health coverage, with 38.2% on employee plans, 14.3% on Medicaid, 15.4% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 2.04% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Jackson County, NC see 1188 patients per year on average, which represents a 9.7% increase from the previous year (1083 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2097 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 220 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,188 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Jackson County, NC

Primary care physicians in Jackson County, NC see an average of 1,188 patients per year. This represents a 9.7% increase from the previous year (1,083 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.9% under 18 years, 26.4% between 18 and 34 years, 34% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.9% were men and 53.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

15.2%

Uninsured

38.2%

Employer Coverage

14.3%

Medicaid

15.4%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

2.04%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Jackson County, NC grew by 5.31% from 14.4% to 15.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Jackson 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 N/A in Jackson County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Jackson 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 35.1% in Jackson County, NC.

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

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