Swannanoa, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Swannanoa, North Carolina had a total population of 6,901, the 135th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $69,760, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 14.8% is notably above the national average.
Swannanoa Quick Facts
How Swannanoa 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 | 6,043 | 6,901 | +14.2% |
| Median household income | $72,978 | $69,760 | -4.4% |
| Median home value | $270,800 | $287,500 | +6.2% |
How Swannanoa 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+)
Swannanoa Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Buncombe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 94,535 | $71,102 | 14.2% | $440,000 |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | 5.9% | $358,900 |
| Woodfin | 8,048 | $71,384 | 14.1% | $366,700 |
| Weaverville | 4,687 | $88,221 | 4.2% | $463,700 |
| Royal Pines | 4,325 | $107,885 | 1.5% | $400,200 |
| Avery Creek | 2,887 | $113,261 | 1.4% | $412,900 |
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | 11.3% | $92,300 |
| Fairview | 2,298 | $92,132 | 25.1% | $439,600 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,587 | $169,167 | 2.0% | $1,333,300 |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | 15.6% | $404,000 |
Cities Similar to Swannanoa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Moon | 7,378 | $68,946 | $182,500 | 27.0% | 7.9% |
| Silver Lake | 6,563 | $76,756 | $325,500 | 32.2% | 9.7% |
| Cherryville | 6,226 | $70,625 | $232,100 | 24.8% | 12.4% |
| Trinity | 7,111 | $82,664 | $216,600 | 20.1% | 11.7% |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 6,347 | $62,676 | $292,300 | 23.6% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Swannanoa is a small city located in North Carolina, within Buncombe County. The total population is 6,901. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Swannanoa is 37.1 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Swannanoa is $69,760. This is 4% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.8%. This is 29% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 14.8%. This is 213% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $287,500. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 78.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Swannanoa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.8%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.8% vs 11.3%). The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
27.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 23% 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 74.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Swannanoa, 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 Swannanoa, North Carolina?
Swannanoa, North Carolina has a population of 6,901 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Swannanoa, NC?
The median household income in Swannanoa is $69,760, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Swannanoa, NC?
The poverty rate in Swannanoa is 16.8%. This means approximately 1,086 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Swannanoa, North Carolina?
Swannanoa's population is 69.9% White, 1.3% Black, 23.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Swannanoa, NC?
The median home value in Swannanoa is $287,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Swannanoa, North Carolina?
27.4% of adults (25+) in Swannanoa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.