Asheville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Asheville, North Carolina had a total population of 94,535, the 11th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $71,102, which is 2% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 53.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
Asheville Quick Facts
How Asheville 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 | 94,369 | 94,535 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $67,221 | $71,102 | +5.8% |
| Median home value | $411,000 | $440,000 | +7.1% |
How Asheville Compares
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+)
Asheville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Buncombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | 5.9% | $358,900 |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | 14.1% | $366,700 |
| Swannanoa | 6,901 | $69,760 | 16.8% | $287,500 |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | 4.2% | $463,700 |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | 1.5% | $400,200 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | 1.4% | $412,900 |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | 11.3% | $92,300 |
| Fairview | 2,298 | $92,132 | 25.1% | $439,600 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | 2.0% | $1,333,300 |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | 15.6% | $404,000 |
Cities Similar to Asheville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia | 82,884 | $64,059 | $277,600 | 26.6% | 16.3% |
| Greenville | 92,857 | $49,748 | $233,500 | 39.1% | 24.6% |
| Concord | 108,719 | $86,921 | $353,700 | 40.9% | 9.6% |
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | $235,800 | 34.0% | 15.7% |
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | $383,800 | 46.8% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
Asheville is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Buncombe County. The total population is 94,535. It ranks as the 11th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Asheville is 40.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Asheville is $71,102. This is 2% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 12% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 9% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $440,000. Housing costs are 52% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 51.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Asheville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.1%. The Black or African American population (8.1%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
53.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Asheville in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% higher 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 94.1%. Notably, 22.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Asheville, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Asheville, North Carolina?
Asheville, North Carolina has a population of 94,535 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Asheville, NC?
The median household income in Asheville is $71,102, which is 12% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Asheville, NC?
The poverty rate in Asheville is 14.2%. This means approximately 13,011 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Asheville, North Carolina?
Asheville's population is 79.8% White, 8.1% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Asheville, NC?
The median home value in Asheville is $440,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Asheville, North Carolina?
53.4% of adults (25+) in Asheville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.