Ashe County, North Carolina Demographics 2026
Ashe County, North Carolina has a population of 26,950, the 73rd most populous county in North Carolina. The median household income is $56,866 and the median home value is $243,100. The poverty rate is 13.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Ashe County Quick Facts
How Ashe County Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,831 | 26,950 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $50,827 | $56,866 | +11.9% |
| Median home value | $221,900 | $243,100 | +9.6% |
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Ashe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 1,864 | $40,590 | 22.9% | $236,000 |
| West Jefferson | 1,436 | $46,827 | 20.8% | $232,400 |
| Lansing | 165 | $48,750 | 6.1% | $169,400 |
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Population Overview
Ashe County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 26,950. It is the 73rd most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ashe County is 49.8 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ashe County is $56,866. This is 21% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.8%. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $243,100. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 79.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ashe County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.0%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (90.8% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Ashe County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against North Carolina and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ashe County, North Carolina?
Ashe County has a population of 26,950, making it the 73rd most populous county in North Carolina.
What is the median income in Ashe County?
The median household income in Ashe County is $56,866 with a poverty rate of 13.5%.
How many cities are in Ashe County, North Carolina?
Ashe County contains 3 Census-designated places.