Asheville, NC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2023 Population
410,817
12.5% 1-year decline
US Senator
Thom Tillis
Republican Party
US Senator
Ted Budd
Republican Party
2023 Median Age
43.8
1.35% 1-year decrease
2023 Poverty Rate
11.7%
2.42% 1-year increase
2023 Median Household Income
$69,236
7.28% 1-year growth
2023 Median Property Value
$338,400
14.7% 1-year growth
2023 Employed Population
195,538
12.8% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Asheville, NC had a population of 411k people with a median age of 43.8 and a median household income of $69,236. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Asheville, NC declined from 469,484 to 410,817, a −12.5% decrease and its median household income grew from $64,538 to $69,236, a 7.28% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Asheville, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (81.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.45%), Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) (3.9%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (2.61%), and White (Hispanic) (2.5%).

None of the households in Asheville, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.1% of the residents in Asheville, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Asheville, NC are Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (1,456 degrees awarded in 2023), Blue Ridge Community College (801 degrees), and University of North Carolina Asheville (684 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Asheville, NC was $338,400, and the homeownership rate was 68.2%.

Most people in Asheville, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Asheville, NC was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Cayce
United StatesNorth Carolina

Population & Diversity

Asheville, NC is home to a population of 411k people, from which 96.1% are citizens. As of 2023, 6.89% of Asheville, NC residents were born outside of the country (28.3k people).

In 2023, there were 18.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (334k people) in Asheville, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 18.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 16k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.1%
2023 Citizenship
96.8%
2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 96.1% of Asheville, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Asheville, NC was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Asheville, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Asheville, NC
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    334k ± 731
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    18.3k ± 1.02k
  3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
    16k ± 1.56k
9.31%
Hispanic Population
38.2k people

In 2023, there were 18.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (334k people) in Asheville, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 18.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 16k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

9.31% of the people in Asheville, NC are hispanic (38.2k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Asheville, NC as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    224,963 ± 11,520 people
  2. India
    83,219 ± 7,055 people
  3. Honduras
    48,247 ± 5,380 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 224,963 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 83,219 and Honduras with 48,247.

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Foreign-Born Population

6.89%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
28.3k people
5.73%
2022 Foreign-Born Population
26.9k people

As of 2023, 6.89% of Asheville, NC residents (28.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Asheville, NC was 5.73%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Asheville, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    9,111 ± 677
  2. Gulf War (2001-)
    4,179 ± 651
  3. Gulf War (1990s)
    3,367 ± 546

Asheville, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.18 times greater than any other conflict.

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Economy

The economy of Asheville, NC employs 196k people. In 2023, the largest industries in Asheville, NC were Health Care & Social Assistance (31,371 people), Retail Trade (24,167 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (20,178 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($75,536), Finance & Insurance ($64,370), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($62,627).

Employment

Occupations

196k
2023 Value
± 4,301
−12.8%
1 Year decline
± 3.4%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Asheville, NC declined at a rate of −12.8%, from 224k employees to 196k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Asheville, NC, are Management Occupations (21,788 people), Sales & Related Occupations (20,538 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (17,448 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Asheville, NC.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

196k
2023 Value
± 4,301
−12.8%
1 Year decline
± 3.4%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Asheville, NC declined at a rate of −12.8%, from 224k employees to 196k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Asheville, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (31,371 people), Retail Trade (24,167 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (20,178 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Asheville, NC, though some of these residents may live in Asheville, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$45,329
Median earning men ± $1,468
$35,879
Median earning women ± $979

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Information ($65,954), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($63,145), and Public Administration ($61,490).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Public Administration ($57,264), Wholesale Trade ($56,023), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($48,369).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
Y-Axis
3.04%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 1,126
    Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  2. 1,029
    Construction
  3. 846
    Health Care and Social Assistance

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $2.15M
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. $1.24M
    Manufacturing
  3. $867k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Asheville, NC awarded 3,649 degrees. The student population of Asheville, NC in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 6,070 male students and 9,129 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Asheville, NC are White (2,715 and 75.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (383 and 10.7%), Black or African American (177 and 4.93%), and Unknown (144 and 4.01%).

The largest universities in Asheville, NC by number of degrees awarded are Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (1,456 and 39.9%), Blue Ridge Community College (801 and 22%), and University of North Carolina Asheville (684 and 18.7%).

The most popular majors in Asheville, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (476 and 13%), General Business Administration & Management (248 and 6.8%), and Registered Nursing (116 and 3.18%).

The median tuition costs in Asheville, NC are $37,270 for private four year colleges, and $4,122 and $21,470 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Asheville, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 15,199 (39.9% men and 60.1% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 15,199 students enrolled in Asheville, NC, 39.9% men and 60.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 10,751 records, of which 59.7% were women and 40.3% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. General Business Administration & Management
    108 degrees awarded
  2. Environmental Studies
    72 degrees awarded
  3. General Psychology
    112 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Asheville, NC was General Business Administration & Management with 108 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Asheville, NC according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
    1,456 degrees awarded
  2. Blue Ridge Community College
    801 degrees awarded
  3. University of North Carolina Asheville
    684 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College with 1,456 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 1,463 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Asheville, NC, which is 0.669 times less than the 2,186 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,715 degrees mean that there were 7.09 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 383 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($37,270) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 4-year or above ($3,339) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($3,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
Measure

In 2023, 0.995% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.855% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

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Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (2.18M), Some college (1.81M), and Bachelors Degree (1.69M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Asheville, NC was $338,400 in 2023, which is 1.12 times larger than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $295,000 to $338,400, a 14.7% increase. The homeownership rate in Asheville, NC is 68.2%, which is higher than the national average of 65%.

People in Asheville, NC have an average commute time of 21.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Asheville, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$338,400
Median Property Value 2023
±$5,920
$110,126
Median Property Taxes
±$2,561

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Asheville, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Asheville, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

68.2%
Homeownership
2023
69.3%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2023

In 2023, 68.2% of the housing units in Asheville, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 69.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Asheville, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$69,236
Median Household Income
± $1,507
161k
Number of Households
± 3,407

In 2023, the median household income of the 161k households in Asheville, NC grew to $69,236 from the previous year's value of $64,538.

The following chart displays the households in Asheville, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Asheville, NC is from North Carolina.
0.467
2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina
0.47
2022 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2023, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.467 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.639% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023
  1. Drove Alone (74.4%)
  2. Worked At Home (14%)
  3. Carpooled (7.75%)

In 2023, 74.4% of workers in Asheville, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14%) and those who carpooled to work (7.75%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

21.8 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Asheville, NC have a shorter commute time (21.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 1.23% of the workforce in Asheville, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Asheville, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Asheville, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Asheville, NC have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

11.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Asheville, NC (47.1k out of 402k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Asheville, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

88.2% of the population of Asheville, NC has health coverage, with 40% on employee plans, 13.6% on Medicaid, 16.8% on Medicare, 16.5% on non-group plans, and 1.38% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1,413 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1634 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 317 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
1,413 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,413 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 19.6% under 18 years, 19% between 18 and 34 years, 39.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 22% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

11.8%
Uninsured
40%
Employer Coverage
13.6%
Medicaid
16.8%
Medicare
16.5%
Non-Group
1.38%
Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Asheville, NC grew by 3.22% from 11.5% to 11.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Asheville, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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