Sylva, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sylva, North Carolina had a total population of 2,646, the 291st largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $44,086, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Sylva Quick Facts
How Sylva 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 | 2,600 | 2,646 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $41,926 | $44,086 | +5.2% |
| Median home value | $195,500 | $201,200 | +2.9% |
How Sylva 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+)
Sylva 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 |
| 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 |
| Dillsboro | 195 | $58,516 | 16.5% | $270,300 |
| Glenville | 138 | N/A | 28.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sylva
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma | 2,657 | $43,907 | $92,300 | 20.8% | 11.3% |
| Brogden | 2,733 | $42,074 | $96,400 | 4.5% | 31.1% |
| Liberty | 2,682 | $39,663 | $194,500 | 9.2% | 16.6% |
| Polkton | 2,555 | $47,059 | $130,100 | 2.5% | 30.4% |
| La Grange | 2,756 | $48,078 | $83,800 | 11.8% | 32.0% |
Population Overview
Sylva is a small community located in North Carolina, within Jackson County. The total population is 2,646. It ranks as the 291st most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sylva is 31.4 years. This is 20% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Sylva has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sylva is $44,086. This is 39% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 45% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.4%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $201,200. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 45.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sylva is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.6%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
30.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% 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 79.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sylva, 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 Sylva, North Carolina?
Sylva, North Carolina has a population of 2,646 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sylva, NC?
The median household income in Sylva is $44,086, which is 45% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sylva, NC?
The poverty rate in Sylva is 19.4%. This means approximately 492 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sylva, North Carolina?
Sylva's population is 69.3% White, 3.5% Black, 16.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sylva, NC?
The median home value in Sylva is $201,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Sylva, North Carolina?
30.7% of adults (25+) in Sylva hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.