Cherokee County, NC

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

28,413

1.59% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

52.1

1.17% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

17.8%

7.14% 1-year increase

2020 Median Household Income

$40,793

1.56% 1-year decline

2020 Median Property Value

$163,900

3.02% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

11,077

2.15% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Cherokee County, NC had a population of 28.4k people with a median age of 52.1 and a median household income of $40,793. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Cherokee County, NC grew from 27,969 to 28,413, a 1.59% increase and its median household income declined from $41,438 to $40,793, a −1.56% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cherokee County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (90.7%), White (Hispanic) (2.36%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.94%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (1.72%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.28%).

None of the households in Cherokee 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.

98.7% of the residents in Cherokee County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Cherokee County, NC are Tri-County Community College (202 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Cherokee County, NC was $163,900, and the homeownership rate was 81.5%.

Most people in Cherokee County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Cherokee County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Cherokee County, NC borders Fannin County, GA, Union County, GA, Clay County, NC, Graham County, NC, Macon County, NC, Monroe County, TN, and Polk County, TN.

Population & Diversity

Cherokee County, NC is home to a population of 28.4k people, from which 98.7% are citizens. As of 2020, 2.65% of Cherokee County, NC residents were born outside of the country (752 people).

In 2020, there were 38.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (25.8k people) in Cherokee County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 671 White (Hispanic) and 550 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.7%

2020 Citizenship

98.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 98.7% of Cherokee County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Cherokee County, NC was 98.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cherokee County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
25.8k ± 49
White (Hispanic)
671 ± 176
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
550 ± 160

3.45%

Hispanic Population

980 people

3.45% of the people in Cherokee County, NC are hispanic (980 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Cherokee 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
224,275 ± 11,501 people
India
74,765 ± 6,689 people
Honduras
37,815 ± 4,766 people

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

Foreign-Born Population

2.65%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

752 people

2.7%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

755 people

As of 2020, 2.65% of Cherokee County, NC residents (752 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Cherokee County, NC was 2.7%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,457 ± 200
Gulf War (2001-)
292 ± 124
Gulf War (1990s)
245 ± 133

Cherokee County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 4.99 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Cherokee County, NC employs 11.1k people. The largest industries in Cherokee County, NC are Retail Trade (1,764 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,507 people), and Construction (1,357 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($56,771), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($54,961), and Transportation & Warehousing ($53,633).

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

Employment

Occupations

11.1k

2020 Value

± 785

2.15%

1 Year growth

± 9.49%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Cherokee County, NC grew at a rate of 2.15%, from 10.8k employees to 11.1k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cherokee County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,849 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,250 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (997 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cherokee County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

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

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

11.1k

2020 Value

± 785

2.15%

1 Year growth

± 9.49%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Cherokee County, NC grew at a rate of 2.15%, from 10.8k employees to 11.1k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cherokee County, NC, are Retail Trade (1,764 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,507 people), and Construction (1,357 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cherokee County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Cherokee County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$31,618

Median earning men ± $2,497

$29,421

Median earning women ± $3,148

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($55,463), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($44,554), and Public Administration ($41,563).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Public Administration ($40,484), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($37,113), and Manufacturing ($33,872).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

195
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
154
Retail Trade
143
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

$131k
Manufacturing
$51.7k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$44.4k
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 $53.9B, followed by Machinery ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($48.7B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$488B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

89.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $488B. This is expected to increase 89.6% to $926B by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$35.1B
Virginia
$27B
Georgia
$18.5B

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

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Cherokee County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 76.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.8%), followed by Other (0.712%).

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

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (76.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (0.712%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Cherokee County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 76.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (21.8%), followed by Other (0.712%).

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

Senators Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

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

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

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house.

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

Education

In 2020, universities in Cherokee County, NC awarded 202 degrees. The student population of Cherokee County, NC in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 387 male students and 604 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Cherokee County, NC are White (186 and 92.5%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (8 and 3.98%), Asian (2 and 0.995%), and Two or More Races (2 and 0.995%).

The largest universities in Cherokee County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Tri-County Community College (202 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Cherokee County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (105 and 52%), Registered Nursing (18 and 8.91%), and Welding Technology (11 and 5.45%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2020 there were 991 students enrolled in Cherokee County, NC, 39.1% men and 60.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 863 records, of which 61.3% were women and 38.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
105 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
18 degree-majors awarded
Pre-Nursing Studies
7 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Cherokee County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 105 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Tri-County Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

202 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Tri-County Community College with 202 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2020, 73 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Cherokee County, NC, which is 0.566 times less than the 129 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 186 degrees mean that there were 23.3 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 8 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

Public, 2-year ($2,304) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 2-year ($59) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 2-year ($1,097) 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 2020, 0.849% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.733% 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 2020 were High School or Equivalent (2.14M), Some college (1.89M), and Bachelors Degree (1.54M).

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 Cherokee County, NC was $163,900 in 2020, which is 0.713 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $159,100 to $163,900, a 3.02% increase. The homeownership rate in Cherokee County, NC is 81.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Cherokee County, NC have an average commute time of 26.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cherokee County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2021, 12.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cherokee County, NC. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 1.15%.

Housing

Property

$163,900

Median Property Value 2020

±$5,628

$10,230

Median Property Taxes

±$733

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

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

Rent vs Own

81.5%

Homeownership

2020

64.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 81.5% of the housing units in Cherokee County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 79%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Cherokee 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 9303
Census Tract 9302

The following map shows all of the tracts in Cherokee 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.

$40,793

Median Household Income

± $2,333

12.5k

Number of Households

± 848

In 2020, the median household income of the 12.5k households in Cherokee County, NC declined from $40,793 from the previous year's value of $41,438.

The following chart displays the households in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2020, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.395% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (77.7%)
Carpooled (8.86%)
Worked At Home (8.54%)

In 2020, 77.7% of workers in Cherokee County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.86%) and those who worked at home (8.54%).

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

26.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cherokee County, NC have a shorter commute time (26.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 5.57% of the workforce in Cherokee County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 12.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cherokee County, NC. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 1.15%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

17.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cherokee County, NC (5k out of 28k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 55 - 64, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 35 - 44.

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

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 2021, 29.3% of the children was living in poverty in Cherokee County, NC. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 8.3%.

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 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 213 in Cherokee County, NC. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 6.67 per 100,000 population.

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

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health

84.5% of the population of Cherokee County, NC has health coverage, with 26.5% on employee plans, 18% on Medicaid, 22.6% on Medicare, 14.9% on non-group plans, and 2.43% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, NC see 2580 patients per year on average, which represents a 8.15% decrease from the previous year (2809 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3179 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 734 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in North Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,580 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cherokee County, NC

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, NC see an average of 2,580 patients per year. This represents a 8.15% decrease from the previous year (2,809 patients).

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

Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 17.4% under 18 years, 14.3% between 18 and 34 years, 38.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 29.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.1% were men and 51.9% were women.

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

Uninsured People

15.5%

Uninsured

26.5%

Employer Coverage

18%

Medicaid

22.6%

Medicare

14.9%

Non-Group

2.43%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cherokee County, NC grew by 9.61% from 14.2% to 15.5%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 88.1 in Cherokee County, NC.

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

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, 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 31.3% in Cherokee County, NC.

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

Error: TypeError: measure_.at is not a function