West Canton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, West Canton, North Carolina had a total population of 1,412, the 399th largest community in North Carolina, with a median household income of $34,464, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
West Canton Quick Facts
How West Canton 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 | 1,369 | 1,412 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $35,583 | $34,464 | -3.1% |
| Median home value | $190,200 | $197,000 | +3.6% |
How West Canton 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+)
West Canton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Haywood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | 15.9% | $281,700 |
| 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 |
| Clyde | 1,359 | $56,406 | 8.2% | $200,000 |
Cities Similar to West Canton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Spencer | 1,434 | $34,417 | $112,000 | 11.9% | 26.7% |
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Spring Hope | 1,387 | $38,393 | $161,000 | 8.7% | 11.1% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
| Elm City | 1,292 | $36,150 | $109,300 | 10.7% | 33.7% |
Population Overview
West Canton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Haywood County. The total population is 1,412. It ranks as the 399th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in West Canton is 42.9 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.4% 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 West Canton is $34,464. This is 52% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.9%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.1%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $197,000. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
West Canton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.8%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 93.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for West Canton, 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 West Canton, North Carolina?
West Canton, North Carolina has a population of 1,412 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in West Canton, NC?
The median household income in West Canton is $34,464, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in West Canton, NC?
The poverty rate in West Canton is 7.9%. This means approximately 110 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of West Canton, North Carolina?
West Canton's population is 89.5% White, 4.8% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in West Canton, NC?
The median home value in West Canton is $197,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.7x.
How educated is West Canton, North Carolina?
15.4% of adults (25+) in West Canton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.