Etowah, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Etowah, North Carolina had a total population of 7,968, the 122nd largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $72,596, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Etowah Quick Facts
How Etowah 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 | 7,765 | 7,968 | +2.6% |
| Median household income | $73,000 | $72,596 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $313,500 | $338,100 | +7.8% |
How Etowah 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+)
Etowah Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Henderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendersonville | 15,408 | $53,449 | 14.5% | $317,000 |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | 7.6% | $331,100 |
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | 2.6% | $436,100 |
| East Flat Rock | 6,323 | $59,583 | 12.6% | $245,900 |
| Dana | 4,147 | $60,450 | 24.7% | $249,700 |
| Flat Rock | 3,530 | $95,098 | 7.6% | $601,700 |
| Mountain Home | 3,437 | $83,083 | 11.9% | $400,000 |
| Edneyville | 2,716 | $53,818 | 22.3% | $286,400 |
| Valley Hill | 2,675 | $86,599 | 7.9% | $353,100 |
| Laurel Park | 2,408 | $90,000 | 5.5% | $433,100 |
Cities Similar to Etowah
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | $366,700 | 45.9% | 14.1% |
| Butner | 8,065 | $74,739 | $231,100 | 27.0% | 15.0% |
| Fletcher | 8,098 | $75,272 | $331,100 | 39.8% | 7.6% |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | $358,900 | 56.3% | 5.9% |
| Half Moon | 7,378 | $68,946 | $182,500 | 27.0% | 7.9% |
Population Overview
Etowah is a small city located in North Carolina, within Henderson County. The total population is 7,968. It ranks as the 122nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Etowah is 45.5 years. This is 16% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Etowah is $72,596. This is about the same as the state median of $72,388. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 10% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $338,100. Housing costs are 17% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 84.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Etowah is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%. The Black or African American population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
39.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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, 16.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Etowah, 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 Etowah, North Carolina?
Etowah, North Carolina has a population of 7,968 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Etowah, NC?
The median household income in Etowah is $72,596, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Etowah, NC?
The poverty rate in Etowah is 14.4%. This means approximately 1,145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Etowah, North Carolina?
Etowah's population is 83.4% White, 1.7% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Etowah, NC?
The median home value in Etowah is $338,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Etowah, North Carolina?
39.0% of adults (25+) in Etowah hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.