Jefferson, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Jefferson, North Carolina had a total population of 1,864, the 353rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $40,590, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Jefferson Quick Facts
How Jefferson 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 | 1,852 | 1,864 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $35,938 | $40,590 | +12.9% |
| Median home value | $186,300 | $236,000 | +26.7% |
How Jefferson 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+)
Jefferson Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Ashe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Jefferson | 1,436 | $46,827 | 20.8% | $232,400 |
| Lansing | 165 | $48,750 | 6.1% | $169,400 |
Cities Similar to Jefferson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 1,928 | $42,454 | $209,600 | 21.3% | 21.5% |
| Fairplains | 1,803 | $38,585 | $140,200 | 13.6% | 36.3% |
| Bryson City | 1,902 | $44,167 | $243,400 | 25.5% | 24.3% |
| Andrews | 1,998 | $37,061 | $98,600 | 12.6% | 21.4% |
| Hertford | 1,618 | $40,250 | $176,500 | 12.2% | 24.7% |
Population Overview
Jefferson is a small community located in North Carolina, within Ashe County. The total population is 1,864. It ranks as the 353rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jefferson is 41.6 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 14.4% 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 Jefferson is $40,590. This is 44% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.9%. This is 76% 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 2.5%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $236,000. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 44.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Jefferson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 20.0%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Jefferson, 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.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Jefferson, North Carolina?
Jefferson, North Carolina has a population of 1,864 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Jefferson, NC?
The median household income in Jefferson is $40,590, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Jefferson, NC?
The poverty rate in Jefferson is 22.9%. This means approximately 369 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Jefferson, North Carolina?
Jefferson's population is 89.8% White, 1.0% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Jefferson, NC?
The median home value in Jefferson is $236,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Jefferson, North Carolina?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Jefferson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.