Boone town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Boone town, North Carolina has a total population of 19,534, the 50th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $28,633, which is 59% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 52.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 59% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (52.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 53.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 13.0x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 14.8% is notably above the national average.
Boone town Quick Facts
How Boone town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Boone town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Watauga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blowing Rock town | 848 | $120,865 | 1.8% | $667,300 |
Cities Similar to Boone town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston city | 19,576 | $35,250 | $108,300 | 16.1% | 28.9% |
| Lexington city | 19,691 | $41,775 | $158,100 | 13.4% | 25.4% |
| Lumberton city | 19,220 | $43,114 | $140,100 | 21.3% | 31.0% |
| Elizabeth City city | 18,740 | $50,947 | $202,100 | 28.0% | 15.0% |
| Lenoir city | 18,282 | $48,889 | $165,200 | 20.6% | 12.9% |
Population Overview
Boone town is a small city located in North Carolina, within Watauga County. The total population is 19,534. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Boone town is 21.5 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 5.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Boone town is $28,633. This is 59% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 64% lower. The poverty rate stands at 52.1%. This is 295% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 14.8%. This is 207% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $373,600. Housing costs are 44% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 13.0x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 23.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 64% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Boone town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (3.2%) is well below the state average of 20.3%.
Education
53.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Boone town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 53% higher than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%. Notably, 28.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Boone town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Boone town, North Carolina?
Boone town, North Carolina has a population of 19,534 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Boone town, NC?
The median household income in Boone town is $28,633, which is 64% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Boone town, NC?
The poverty rate in Boone town is 52.1%. This means approximately 7,156 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Boone town, North Carolina?
Boone town's population is 83.6% White, 3.2% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Boone town, NC?
The median home value in Boone town is $373,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 13.0x.
How educated is Boone town, North Carolina?
53.1% of adults (25+) in Boone town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 28.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.