Ashe County, NC

County

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    2024 Population
    26,950
    US Senator
    Thom Tillis
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Ted Budd
    Republican Party
    2024 Poverty Rate
    13.5%
    3.99% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $56,866
    11.9% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $243,100
    9.55% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    11,614
    3.73% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Ashe 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.

    98.6% of the residents in Ashe County, NC are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Ashe County, NC was $243,100, and the homeownership rate was 79.4%.

    Most people in Ashe County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Ashe County, NC was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesNorth Carolina

    Population & Diversity

    Ashe County, NC is home to a population of 27k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 2.83% of Ashe County, NC residents were born outside of the country (762 people).

    In 2024, there were 37.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (24.5k people) in Ashe County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 656 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 544 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    98.6%
    2024 Citizenship
    98.6%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 98.6% of Ashe County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Ashe County, NC was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Ashe County, NC
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      24.5k ± 70
    2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      656 ± 242
    3. White (Hispanic)
      544 ± 255
    6.05%
    Hispanic Population
    1.63k people

    In 2024, there were 37.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (24.5k people) in Ashe County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 656 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 544 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    6.05% of the people in Ashe County, NC are hispanic (1.63k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Ashe County, NC as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      228,441 ± 11,609 people
    2. India
      90,815 ± 7,367 people
    3. Honduras
      52,061 ± 5,588 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 228,441 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 90,815 and Honduras with 52,061.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    2.83%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    762 people
    2.99%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    802 people

    As of 2024, 2.83% of Ashe County, NC residents (762 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Ashe County, NC was 2.99%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      693 ± 158
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      251 ± 93
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      172 ± 97

    Ashe County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.76 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Ashe County, NC.

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    Health

    90.2% of the population of Ashe County, NC has health coverage, with 35.5% on employee plans, 17.9% on Medicaid, 19.3% on Medicare, 16.3% on non-group plans, and 1.18% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Ashe County, NC see 2,055 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,055 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2465 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 564 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    2,055 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Ashe County, NC

    Primary care physicians in Ashe County, NC see an average of 2,055 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,055 patients).

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

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.3% under 18 years, 15.5% between 18 and 34 years, 39.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 26.9% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

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

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    Uninsured People

    9.83%
    Uninsured
    35.5%
    Employer Coverage
    17.9%
    Medicaid
    19.3%
    Medicare
    16.3%
    Non-Group
    1.18%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Ashe County, NC declined by 18.8% from 12.1% to 9.83%.

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

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.26 in Ashe County, NC.

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

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, 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 33.9% in Ashe County, NC.

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

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 13.6% in Ashe County, NC.

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

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    Economy

    The economy of Ashe County, NC employs 11.6k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Ashe County, NC were Manufacturing (1,744 people), Retail Trade (1,618 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,548 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($77,692), Wholesale Trade ($75,662), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($73,247).

    Employment

    Occupations

    11.6k
    2024 Value
    ± 807
    3.73%
    1 Year growth
    ± 9.67%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ashe County, NC grew at a rate of 3.73%, from 11.2k employees to 11.6k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Ashe County, NC, are Management Occupations (1,242 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,138 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,134 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Ashe County, NC.

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    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.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    11.6k
    2024 Value
    ± 807
    3.73%
    1 Year growth
    ± 9.67%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Ashe County, NC grew at a rate of 3.73%, from 11.2k employees to 11.6k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Ashe County, NC, are Manufacturing (1,744 people), Retail Trade (1,618 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1,548 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Ashe County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Ashe County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $41,621
    Median earning men ± $1,906
    $33,349
    Median earning women ± $3,008

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($75,613), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($65,363), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($62,031).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Information ($46,573), Public Administration ($43,472), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($38,542).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
    Y-Axis
    3.04%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

    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. 69
      Construction
    2. 62
      Retail Trade
    3. 46
      Other Services (except Public Administration)

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

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $62.4k
      Construction
    2. $54k
      Manufacturing
    3. $43.4k
      Health Care and Social Assistance

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

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

    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

    Voting results are not available for Ashe County, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (50.9%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (47.6%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Other (0.675%)
      Other Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    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 Carolina2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015
    Ted Budd
    Senator from North Carolina3
    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.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Ashe County, NC was $243,100 in 2024, which is 0.731 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $221,900 to $243,100, a 9.55% increase. The homeownership rate in Ashe County, NC is 79.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Ashe County, NC have an average commute time of 25.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Ashe County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ashe County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.2%.

    Housing

    Property

    $243,100
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$17,299
    $9,685
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$688

    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 Ashe 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 Ashe County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    79.4%
    Homeownership
    2024
    65.4%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 79.4% of the housing units in Ashe County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 78.4%.

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

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $56,866
    Median Household Income
    ± $4,577
    12.2k
    Number of Households
    ± 805

    In 2024, the median household income of the 12.2k households in Ashe County, NC grew to $56,866 from the previous year's value of $50,827.

    The following chart displays the households in Ashe 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.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Ashe County, NC is from North Carolina.
    0.466
    2024 Wage GINI in North Carolina
    0.467
    2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina

    In 2024, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.16% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.474. 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.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (79.3%)
    2. Carpooled (10%)
    3. Worked At Home (8.99%)

    In 2024, 79.3% of workers in Ashe County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10%) and those who worked at home (8.99%).

    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.

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    Commute Time

    25.3 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Ashe County, NC have a shorter commute time (25.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.42% of the workforce in Ashe County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

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

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Ashe County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 5.2%.

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

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    Poverty & Diversity

    13.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Ashe County, NC (3.59k out of 26.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 65 - 74 and then Males 45 - 54.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Ashe 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.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 22% of the children was living in poverty in Ashe County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 9%.

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

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 81.2 in Ashe County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 58.9% 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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