Cherokee County, North Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 72nd-largest in North Carolina

The population of Cherokee County, North Carolina is 29,197 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 72nd-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $51,496, the median home value is $208,700, and the median age is 53.3.

The population of Cherokee County has grown 10.7% since 2010 (27,435 → 30,373), a +0.73% annualized rate.

Cherokee County within North Carolina · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

29,197

Population

+0.73%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$51,496

Median Income

$208,700

Median Home Value

Cherokee County covers 456 sq mi of land at 64.1 people per square mile.

About Cherokee County, NC

Cherokee County is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 60.9% of the population. Cherokee County is a county in North Carolina with a population of 29,197.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $51,496, below the US median of $78,538. About 9.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $208,700, with typical rent around $800.

Roughly 24.2% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Remote work is on the higher side at 10.7%, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 27 minutes each way.

The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Cherokee County, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.

Cherokee County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Cherokee County had a population of 27,435 in 2010 and 30,373 in 2024, a 10.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 30,373 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.73%.

Cherokee County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

30,373

Population (2024)

27,435

Population (2010)

30,373

Peak (2024)

0.73%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	27,435	-	-	estimate
2011	27,185	-250	-0.91%	estimate
2012	27,044	-141	-0.52%	estimate
2013	27,139	+95	+0.35%	estimate
2014	27,093	-46	-0.17%	estimate
2015	27,126	+33	+0.12%	estimate
2016	27,860	+734	+2.71%	estimate
2017	28,000	+140	+0.50%	estimate
2018	28,425	+425	+1.52%	estimate
2019	28,708	+283	+1.00%	estimate
2020	28,864	+156	+0.54%	estimate
2021	29,188	+324	+1.12%	estimate
2022	29,431	+243	+0.83%	estimate
2023	29,952	+521	+1.77%	estimate
2024	30,373	+421	+1.41%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	91.2%
Black or African American	1.5%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3.0%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

53.3

Median Age

50.7%

Female

49.3%

Male

31.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

3.8%

5–9

3.4%

10–14

5.3%

15–19

5.0%

20–24

4.4%

25–34

8.5%

35–44

9.5%

45–54

12.4%

55–59

7.9%

60–64

8.5%

65–74

19.2%

75–84

9.5%

85+

2.5%

Children (under 15): 12.5% · Seniors (65+): 31.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$51,496$-18,408 vs state
Mean household income	$67,671
Per-capita income	$30,800
Poverty rate	9.3%-0.1% vs state
Unemployment rate	2.7%
Employment-to-population	47.1%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

21.1%

Education & health care

11.5%

Construction

10.3%

Manufacturing

9.9%

Finance & real estate

8.9%

Information

6.7%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.6%

Retail trade

3.1%

The largest employment sector in Cherokee County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.1% of workers.

How residents commute

0.3%

Drive alone

2.1%

Carpool

77.5%

Public transit

10.7%

Work from home

26.5 min

Avg commute

Housing

$208,700$-50,700 vs state

Median home value

$800

Median rent

83.6%

Homeownership rate

18,182

Total housing units

71.7%

Occupied

28.3%

Vacant

16.4%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

85.2%

With health insurance

92.3%

With broadband internet

60.9%

Foreign-born

11.3%

Veterans (18+)

17.6%

With a disability

97.1%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

91.4%

High School+

24.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in North Carolina

Charlotte (886,283)Raleigh (470,763)Greensboro (298,564)Durham (288,465)Winston-Salem (250,887)Fayetteville (209,692)Cary (176,686)Wilmington (118,578)High Point (115,263)Concord (106,518)All North Carolina cities →

Other counties in North Carolina

Wake County (1,151,009)Mecklenburg County (1,130,906)Guilford County (542,987)Forsyth County (386,740)Cumberland County (336,749)Durham County (329,405)Buncombe County (271,790)Union County (244,975)Gaston County (231,485)Cabarrus County (231,262)All North Carolina counties →

Part of North Carolina

North Carolina demographic profile All North Carolina data →

Metro areas in North Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Virginia Beach (1,782,590)Raleigh (1,449,594)Greensboro (779,894)Winston (683,637)Durham (594,291)Wilmington (440,578)Asheville (410,817)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Cherokee County, North Carolina has a population of 29,197 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 72nd-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 64 people per square mile.

The population of Cherokee County has grown 10.7% since 2010 (27,435 → 30,373), a +0.73% annualized rate.

The median household income in Cherokee County, North Carolina is $51,496, with mean (average) household income of $67,671 and per-capita income of $30,800. 9.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Cherokee County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (91.2%), Hispanic or Latino (3.0%), Black or African American (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Cherokee County, North Carolina is 53.3 years. Residents are 50.7% female and 49.3% male.

The median home value in Cherokee County is $208,700 and median monthly rent is $800. 83.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 18,182 total housing units, 28.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Cherokee County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.

Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Cherokee County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.