Boone, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Boone, North Carolina had a total population of 20,032, the 49th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $30,065, which is 58% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 51.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 58% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (51.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 56.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 13.7x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 12.0% is notably above the national average.
Boone Quick Facts
How Boone 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 | 19,534 | 20,032 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $28,633 | $30,065 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $373,600 | $411,100 | +10.0% |
How Boone 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+)
Boone Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Watauga County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cove Creek | 1,629 | $52,847 | 22.6% | $295,700 |
| Foscoe | 1,226 | $49,243 | 22.3% | $325,800 |
| Beech Mountain | 987 | $90,855 | 6.4% | $443,500 |
| Seven Devils | 425 | $111,667 | 3.3% | $426,900 |
| Valle Crucis | 242 | N/A | 6.2% | $463,800 |
Cities Similar to Boone
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinston | 19,505 | $36,878 | $119,300 | 16.4% | 27.9% |
| Lexington | 19,690 | $43,128 | $179,900 | 12.9% | 27.8% |
| Lumberton | 18,859 | $42,877 | $152,600 | 19.2% | 30.8% |
| Elizabeth City | 18,871 | $52,141 | $187,700 | 27.2% | 13.3% |
| Shelby | 22,100 | $48,376 | $197,200 | 26.6% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Boone is a small city located in North Carolina, within Watauga County. The total population is 20,032. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Boone is 21.3 years. This is 46% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 5.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Boone is $30,065. This is 58% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 63% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 51.2%. This is 293% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. 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 12.0%. This is 154% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $411,100. Housing costs are 42% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 13.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 26.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 61% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Boone is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
56.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Boone in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 59% 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 94.3%. Notably, 30.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Boone, 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 Boone, North Carolina?
Boone, North Carolina has a population of 20,032 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Boone, NC?
The median household income in Boone is $30,065, which is 63% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Boone, NC?
The poverty rate in Boone is 51.2%. This means approximately 7,043 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Boone, North Carolina?
Boone's population is 83.7% White, 3.5% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Boone, NC?
The median home value in Boone is $411,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 13.7x.
How educated is Boone, North Carolina?
56.8% of adults (25+) in Boone hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 30.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.