Transylvania County, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 69th-largest in North Carolina
The population of Transylvania County, North Carolina is 33,243 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 69th-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $64,523, the median home value is $336,100, and the median age is 51.9.
The population of Transylvania County has grown 3.1% since 2010 (33,087 → 34,103), a +0.22% annualized rate.
33,243
Population
+0.22%
Annual growth
88
People / sq mi
$64,523
Median Income
$336,100
Median Home Value
Transylvania County covers 378 sq mi of land at 87.9 people per square mile.
About Transylvania County, NC
Age is the most distinctive thing about Transylvania County: a median age of 51.9, older than the national median. With 33,243 residents, Transylvania County is a county in North Carolina.
Median household income is $64,523, below the US median of $78,538. About 8.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The median home value is $336,100, with typical rent around $909.
Transylvania County is among the best-educated US counties: 38.6% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. A solid 10.7% of workers are based at home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Transylvania County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Transylvania County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Transylvania County had a population of 33,087 in 2010 and 34,103 in 2024, a 3.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 34,270 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.22%.
34,103
Population (2024)
33,087
Population (2010)
34,270
Peak (2019)
0.22%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 33,087 |
| 2011 | 32,812 |
| 2012 | 32,849 |
| 2013 | 32,847 |
| 2014 | 32,971 |
| 2015 | 33,185 |
| 2016 | 33,433 |
| 2017 | 33,812 |
| 2018 | 34,182 |
| 2019 | 34,270 |
| 2020 | 33,258 |
| 2021 | 33,494 |
| 2022 | 33,668 |
| 2023 | 33,934 |
| 2024 | 34,103 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 89.3% |
| Black or African American | 3.9% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
51.9
Median Age
51.6%
Female
48.4%
Male
30.8%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 12.9% · Seniors (65+): 30.8%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $64,523$-5,381 vs state |
| Mean household income | $86,211 |
| Per-capita income | $38,899 |
| Poverty rate | 8.7%-0.7% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9% |
| Employment-to-population | 50.1% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Transylvania County is professional & business services, accounting for 23.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.4%
Drive alone
2.3%
Carpool
76.4%
Public transit
10.7%
Work from home
23.5 min
Avg commute
Housing
$336,100+$76,700 vs state
Median home value
$909
Median rent
75.1%
Homeownership rate
19,147
Total housing units
76.2%
Occupied
23.8%
Vacant
24.9%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
88.2%
With health insurance
92.2%
With broadband internet
49.7%
Foreign-born
11.2%
Veterans (18+)
14.5%
With a disability
97.5%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
93.8%
High School+
38.6%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in North Carolina
Other counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Transylvania County, North Carolina has a population of 33,243 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 69th-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 88 people per square mile.
The population of Transylvania County has grown 3.1% since 2010 (33,087 → 34,103), a +0.22% annualized rate.
The median household income in Transylvania County, North Carolina is $64,523, with mean (average) household income of $86,211 and per-capita income of $38,899. 8.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Transylvania County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (89.3%), Black or African American (3.9%), Hispanic or Latino (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Transylvania County, North Carolina is 51.9 years. Residents are 51.6% female and 48.4% male.
The median home value in Transylvania County is $336,100 and median monthly rent is $909. 75.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 19,147 total housing units, 23.8% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Transylvania County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 23.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.
Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Transylvania County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.
More from North Carolina
Population 1,151,009
Population 1,130,906
Population 542,987
Population 386,740
Full rankings of North Carolina counties
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.