Cherokee CDP, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Cherokee CDP is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 1,631. It ranks as the 366th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cherokee CDP is 40.3 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cherokee CDP is $48,173. This is 31% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 39% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.0%. This is 90% 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 1.7%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $192,700. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 63.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Cherokee CDP is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.4%) is well below the state average of 60.7%. The Black or African American population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.2%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower 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 83.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cherokee CDP, 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.