Henderson County, North Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Henderson County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 117,387. It is the 25th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Henderson County is 47.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.1% 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 Henderson County is $67,623. This is 3% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.7%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $317,800. Housing costs are 23% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Henderson County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.8%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about average 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 91.1%.