Population
170,172
2025
+5.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Catawba County, NC growth snapshot
Catawba County had an estimated 170,172 residents in 2025, up 5.8% (9,280 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 53rd fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+2,989
2025
17.6 per 1,000 residents
+9,795 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.
Jobs
89,369
2025
+6.7% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$1,135
2025
+26.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.7%
2025
+0.0 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
1,944
2025
+79.7% since 2021
11.4 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
$67,864
2020–24
+24.1% 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
85,704
2023
+3.3% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 2,989 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 89,369 jobs in 2025, +6.7% since 2020 (74th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,135.
Unemployment averaged 3.7% in 2025.
Builders were authorized to start 1,944 new homes in 2025, or 11.4 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $67,864 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +24.1% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 527th.
Part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area.
Catawba County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 170,172 | +2,983 |
| 2024 | 167,189 | +2,288 |
| 2023 | 164,901 | +1,627 |
| 2022 | 163,274 | +1,568 |
| 2021 | 161,706 | +814 |
| 2020 | 160,892 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Catawba County
Catawba County grew by 9,280 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+9,795).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −300 | −2,245 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +319 | +1,632 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +2,989 | +9,795 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −25 | +98 | |
| Total change | +2,983 | +9,280 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In North Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 35th of 100 | 527th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 10th of 100 | 175th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 68th of 100 | 1,419th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 28th of 100 | 1,340th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 15th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 36th of 100 | 1,198th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 7th of 100 | 100th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Catawba County's population change (+5.8%) was ahead of 3 of its 5 neighbouring counties and behind 2 (Lincoln County and Iredell County).
2 of its 5 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Catawba County's $67,864 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba County, NC This county | 170,172 | +5.8% | 17.6 | 11.4 | $67,864 |
| Lincoln County, NC | 98,654 | +13.2% | 10.1 | 8.0 | $80,016 |
| Alexander County, NC | 36,958 | +1.5% | 8.5 | 2.8 | $65,354 |
| Iredell County, NC | 211,798 | +12.9% | 24.1 | 8.7 | $81,419 |
| Caldwell County, NC | 81,105 | +0.6% | 8.1 | 6.2 | $56,425 |
| Burke County, NC | 88,655 | +1.6% | 5.5 | 6.6 | $58,592 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 100 North Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Catawba County?
About 170,172 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Catawba County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 5.8% between 2020 and 2025, about 9,280 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 53rd of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Catawba County?
On net, about 2,989 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Catawba County?
Employers there reported 89,369 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +6.7% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,135 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Catawba County?
It averaged 3.7% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Catawba County?
Building permits authorized 1,944 new housing units in 2025, 11.4 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Catawba County?
$67,864 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Catawba County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 35th of 100 for population growth; 10th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 68th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 28th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 527th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
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.