Population
54,786
2025
+0.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Boone, NC micro area: population growth, jobs and income
The Boone, NC micro area lost 135 residents between 2024 and 2025 (−0.2%).
The Boone, NC micro area had an estimated 54,786 residents in 2025, up 0.6% (320 more people) since 2020.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Map, parcel and listing layers cover North and South Carolina only for now.
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−172
2025
−3.1 per 1,000 residents
+445 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
New homes permitted
536
2025
+81.1% since 2024
9.8 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$51,693
2020–24
+11.3% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
20,781
2023
+12.9% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net migration (IRS tax returns)
−291
2022–23
Source: IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data, 2022–23. People on tax returns moving in minus moving out, U.S. and abroad; the sum of the member counties (moves between them cancel out).
Population, migration, employment, permits, unemployment and income are the figures each agency publishes for the area itself (OMB Bulletin 23-01 delineation; ACS 2016-20 and CBP 2018 use the delineation of their year). IRS migration is the sum of the member counties.
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 172 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Private employers had 20,781 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +12.9% since 2018 (County Business Patterns).
Builders were authorized to start 536 new homes in 2025, or 9.8 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $51,693 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +11.3% since 2016–20.
Population growth over five years ranks 17th of 23 North Carolina micro areas and 267th of 538 U.S. micro areas.
IRS tax-return data for 2022-2023 show a net loss of 291 people (the sum of its counties).
How it ranks
| Measure | Among U.S. micro areas |
|---|---|
| Population growth | 267th of 538 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 419th of 538 |
| Private-sector job growth | 59th of 495 |
| Median household income | 469th of 538 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 16th of 534 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment), against areas with a figure for the same period.
Fastest-growing metro areas in North Carolina · Fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.
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Counties in this micro area
| County | Role | Residents2025 | Share of residents2025 | Change2020–2025 | Share of the change2020–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watauga County, NC | Central | 54,786 | 100.0% | +320 (+0.6%) | 100% |
Census Bureau population estimates (July 1). Shares are of the member counties' total; a share of the change shows only when every county moved the same way. – means no figure for the common period.
Nearby and similar metro areas
Next to this micro area
Similar in size
Questions
Is the Boone, NC micro area growing?
Yes. Its population grew 0.6% between 2020 and 2025, about 320 more people (Census Bureau population estimates).
How many people moved to the Boone, NC micro area?
On net, none in 2025: about 172 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
What is the population of the Boone, NC micro area?
About 54,786 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
How many jobs are in the Boone, NC micro area?
Private employers there had 20,781 paid employees in mid-March 2023, +12.9% since 2018 (Census Bureau County Business Patterns; government jobs and the self-employed are not counted).
What is the median household income in the Boone, NC micro area?
$51,693 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
- IRS Statistics of Income, U.S. Population Migration Data
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.
Jobs outside North and South Carolina use County Business Patterns (paid private-sector employees in mid-March); wages and government jobs are not included.