Asheville, NC Metro Area

Asheville, NC · Metro Area

414,711Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (2 central, 1 outlying), part of the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $71,838
Median home value: $370,900
Land area: 1,479 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Buncombe County, NC	Central	274,360	$74,436	$391,800
Henderson County, NC	Central	118,484	$68,187	$351,400
Madison County, NC	Outlying	21,867	$58,531	$284,600

Largest cities and towns

31 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Asheville, NC	City	94,535	$71,102
Hendersonville, NC	City	15,408	$53,449
Black Mountain, NC	Town	8,513	$77,042
Fletcher, NC	Town	8,098	$75,272
Woodfin, NC	Town	8,048	$71,384
Etowah, NC	CDP	7,968	$72,596
Mills River, NC	Town	7,281	$105,398
Swannanoa, NC	CDP	6,901	$69,760
East Flat Rock, NC	CDP	6,323	$59,583
Weaverville, NC	Town	4,687	$88,221
Royal Pines, NC	CDP	4,325	$107,885
Dana, NC	CDP	4,147	$60,450
Flat Rock, NC	Village	3,530	$95,098
Mountain Home, NC	CDP	3,437	$83,083
Mars Hill, NC	Town	3,025	$81,429
Avery Creek, NC	CDP	2,887	$113,261
Edneyville, NC	CDP	2,716	$53,818
Valley Hill, NC	CDP	2,675	$86,599
Laurel Park, NC	Town	2,408	$90,000
Fruitland, NC	CDP	2,398	$48,025
Fairview, NC	CDP	2,298	$92,132
Hoopers Creek, NC	CDP	1,683	$52,315
Biltmore Forest, NC	Town	1,587	$169,167
Horse Shoe, NC	CDP	1,490	$64,096
Bent Creek, NC	CDP	1,384	$72,176

Also in the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC combined area

Waynesville, NC · micro · 62,662 Brevard, NC · micro · 33,691

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Unemployment

College Educated

42.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$71,838

Mean Household Income

$100,473

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

48.4%

Female

51.6%

Population Split

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English23.8%

German12.3%

Irish11.0%

Mexican5.3%

Scottish3.9%

Italian3.6%

French2.4%

Polish1.6%

African0.3%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.9%Foreign Born

93.1%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized42.7%

Non-Citizen57.3%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later30.1%

Before 201069.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

203,883

Median Rent

$1,296/mo

Median Home Value

$370,900

Median Year Built

1990

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

80,500

College Enrollment

20.3%

High School

22.8%

College Educated

42.5%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

22.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

72.4%

Public Transit

0.5%

Work From Home

15.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

18.0%

18-34 Years

19.9%

35-64 Years

39.3%

65+ Years

22.8%

Population Composition

Under 1818.0%

18-3419.9%

35-6439.3%

65+22.8%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.8%

Single Parent

5.0%

Living Alone

29.6%

Avg Size

2.51

Household Types

Married Couples49.8%

Single Parent5.0%

Living Alone29.6%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$42,135

SNAP Usage

9.5%

Health Insurance

88.8%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k14.8%

$25k - $50k19.7%

$50k - $100k31.1%

$100k+34.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

10.0%

Retail Trade

12.5%

Education & Health Care

24.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

14.8%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

88.8%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

89.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

93.8%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

96.5

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

98.9

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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