Waynesville, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waynesville, North Carolina had a total population of 10,502, the 96th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $54,923, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Waynesville Quick Facts
How Waynesville 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 | 10,408 | 10,502 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $50,554 | $54,923 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $254,800 | $281,700 | +10.6% |
How Waynesville 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+)
Waynesville Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Haywood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton | 4,419 | $69,924 | 15.0% | $246,700 |
| Lake Junaluska | 3,175 | $66,165 | 9.4% | $389,200 |
| Maggie Valley | 2,112 | $68,125 | 14.6% | $320,500 |
| West Canton | 1,412 | $34,464 | 7.9% | $197,000 |
| Clyde | 1,359 | $56,406 | 8.2% | $200,000 |
Cities Similar to Waynesville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarboro | 10,770 | $49,796 | $185,500 | 26.6% | 18.5% |
| Morehead City | 9,806 | $56,233 | $357,400 | 35.6% | 18.1% |
| Spring Lake | 11,573 | $51,958 | $124,000 | 25.2% | 17.7% |
| St. Stephens | 9,457 | $60,394 | $213,300 | 25.7% | 16.3% |
| Mount Airy | 10,633 | $40,275 | $181,900 | 23.1% | 26.9% |
Population Overview
Waynesville is a small city located in North Carolina, within Haywood County. The total population is 10,502. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waynesville is 46.0 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 12.7% 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 Waynesville is $54,923. This is 24% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $281,700. Housing costs are 2% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waynesville has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
33.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 87.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waynesville, 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 Waynesville, North Carolina?
Waynesville, North Carolina has a population of 10,502 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waynesville, NC?
The median household income in Waynesville is $54,923, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waynesville, NC?
The poverty rate in Waynesville is 15.9%. This means approximately 1,624 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waynesville, North Carolina?
Waynesville's population is 87.7% White, 1.3% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waynesville, NC?
The median home value in Waynesville is $281,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is Waynesville, North Carolina?
33.0% of adults (25+) in Waynesville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.