County in North Carolina · 247 sq mi · 73 people per sq mi
18,117 people live in Avery County. The typical household earns $61,428, and the median resident is 47.1 years old.
2026 projection
From 17,918 in 2020
Poverty rate 10.16%
Men 45.9 · Women 48.8
1920–2026
18,117
2026 projection
1.1% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1920–2026
18,117
2026 projection
1.1% since 2020 (increase)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 18,117 | +7 | 0.04% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18,110 | +7 | 0.04% |
| 2024 | 18,103 | +338 | 1.90% |
| 2023 | 17,765 | +129 | 0.73% |
| 2022 | 17,636 | +33 | 0.19% |
| 2021 | 17,603 | -315 | 1.76% |
| 2020 | 17,918 | +422 | 2.41% |
| 2019 | 17,496 | -13 | 0.07% |
| 2018 | 17,509 | -13 | 0.07% |
| 2017 | 17,522 | +72 | 0.41% |
Showing 10 of 25 years.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 177 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 10 residents
51% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 51% | 48% | 54% |
| Never married | 29% | 34% | 22% |
| Divorced | 12% | 13% | 11% |
| Widowed | 7% | 3% | 11% |
| Separated | 1% | <1% | 2% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
8 sources, all from the U.S. Census Bureau