Cherokee, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cherokee, North Carolina had a total population of 2,059, the 337th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $55,972, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Cherokee Quick Facts
How Cherokee 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 | 1,631 | 2,059 | +26.2% |
| Median household income | $48,173 | $55,972 | +16.2% |
| Median home value | $192,700 | $189,900 | -1.5% |
How Cherokee 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cherokee Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Jackson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullowhee | 7,973 | $35,929 | 45.8% | $382,300 |
| Sylva | 2,646 | $44,086 | 19.4% | $201,200 |
| Highlands | 1,074 | $71,509 | 7.9% | $700,900 |
| Cashiers | 683 | $73,750 | 0.0% | $346,200 |
| Webster | 470 | $61,528 | 24.5% | $375,000 |
| Forest Hills | 329 | $90,313 | 23.7% | N/A |
| Dillsboro | 195 | $58,516 | 16.5% | $270,300 |
| Glenville | 138 | N/A | 28.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cherokee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | $172,400 | 19.1% | 11.7% |
| Burnsville | 2,082 | $50,997 | $243,500 | 25.0% | 26.1% |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | $187,100 | 16.7% | 9.2% |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | $193,900 | 13.7% | 21.1% |
| Badin | 2,184 | $53,145 | $160,200 | 12.3% | 19.6% |
Population Overview
Cherokee is a small community located in North Carolina, within Jackson County. The total population is 2,059. It ranks as the 337th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cherokee is 33.3 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cherokee is $55,972. This is 23% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 64% 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 1.6%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $189,900. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 62.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cherokee is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 4.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.9%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
24.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cherokee, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cherokee, North Carolina?
Cherokee, North Carolina has a population of 2,059 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cherokee, NC?
The median household income in Cherokee is $55,972, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cherokee, NC?
The poverty rate in Cherokee is 21.3%. This means approximately 426 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cherokee, North Carolina?
Cherokee's population is 9.9% White, 1.9% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cherokee, NC?
The median home value in Cherokee is $189,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Cherokee, North Carolina?
24.5% of adults (25+) in Cherokee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.