Dillsboro, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dillsboro, North Carolina had a total population of 195, the 708th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $58,516, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.5%.
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 0.9%.
Dillsboro Quick Facts
How Dillsboro 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 | 215 | 195 | -9.3% |
| Median household income | $45,833 | $58,516 | +27.7% |
| Median home value | $225,000 | $270,300 | +20.1% |
How Dillsboro 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+)
Dillsboro 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 |
| Cherokee | 2,059 | $55,972 | 21.3% | $189,900 |
| 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 |
| Glenville | 138 | N/A | 28.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Dillsboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henrietta | 197 | N/A | $162,500 | 0.0% | 20.8% |
| Vann Crossroads | 187 | N/A | $249,200 | 16.3% | 26.7% |
| Long Creek | 206 | N/A | N/A | 13.5% | 23.3% |
| Smithtown | 211 | N/A | $75,900 | 21.6% | 64.5% |
| Stokes | 210 | $59,625 | $225,000 | 5.1% | 0.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 195, Dillsboro's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dillsboro is a small community located in North Carolina, within Jackson County. The total population is 195. It ranks as the 708th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dillsboro is 44.9 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dillsboro is $58,516. This is 19% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.5%. This is 27% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 81% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $270,300. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 41.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dillsboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (7.2%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 98.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dillsboro, 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 Dillsboro, North Carolina?
Dillsboro, North Carolina has a population of 195 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dillsboro, NC?
The median household income in Dillsboro is $58,516, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dillsboro, NC?
The poverty rate in Dillsboro is 16.5%. This means approximately 32 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dillsboro, North Carolina?
Dillsboro's population is 67.7% White, 7.2% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dillsboro, NC?
The median home value in Dillsboro is $270,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Dillsboro, North Carolina?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Dillsboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.