Population
63,369
2025
+1.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Haywood County, NC growth snapshot
Haywood County had an estimated 63,369 residents in 2025, up 1.8% (1,150 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 96th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+489
2025
7.7 per 1,000 residents
+3,137 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
17,431
2025
+4.0% 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
$952
2025
+23.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.9%
2025
+0.5 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
514
2025
+3.6% since 2021
8.1 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
$61,912
2020–24
+20.1% 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
16,322
2023
+5.6% 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 489 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 17,431 jobs in 2025, +4.0% since 2020 (92nd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $952.
Unemployment averaged 3.9% in 2025, 0.5 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 514 new homes in 2025, or 8.1 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $61,912 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +20.1% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,320th.
Part of the Waynesville, NC micro area.
Haywood County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 63,369 | +136 |
| 2024 | 63,233 | +285 |
| 2023 | 62,948 | +360 |
| 2022 | 62,588 | +49 |
| 2021 | 62,539 | +320 |
| 2020 | 62,219 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Haywood County
Haywood County grew by 1,150 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+3,137).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −385 | −2,251 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +35 | +243 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +489 | +3,137 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −3 | +21 | |
| Total change | +136 | +1,150 |
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 | 68th of 100 | 1,320th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 51st of 100 | 755th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 57th of 100 | 1,142nd of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 46th of 100 | 1,881st of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 65th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 52nd of 100 | 1,464th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 25th of 100 | 247th 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, Haywood County's population change (+1.8%) was ahead of 1 of its 8 neighbouring counties and behind 7.
4 of its 8 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Haywood County's $61,912 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haywood County, NC This county | 63,369 | +1.8% | 7.7 | 8.1 | $61,912 |
| Jackson County, NC | 45,039 | +6.9% | 1.1 | 5.2 | $55,815 |
| Transylvania County, NC | 34,211 | +2.9% | 3.8 | 5.1 | $66,184 |
| Cocke County, TN | 37,889 | +5.1% | 12.5 | 0.2 | $48,016 |
| Buncombe County, NC | 277,417 | +2.9% | −7.4 | 7.3 | $74,436 |
| Madison County, NC | 22,553 | +5.9% | 7.8 | 5.2 | $58,531 |
| Henderson County, NC | 122,375 | +5.0% | 9.4 | 8.9 | $68,187 |
| Sevier County, TN | 101,342 | +2.5% | −3.1 | 11.2 | $62,581 |
| Swain County, NC | 14,024 | −0.6% | 2.9 | 6.7 | $52,349 |
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 Haywood County?
About 63,369 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Haywood County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 1.8% between 2020 and 2025, about 1,150 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 96th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Haywood County?
On net, about 489 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 Haywood County?
Employers there reported 17,431 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +4.0% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $952 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Haywood County?
It averaged 3.9% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Haywood County?
Building permits authorized 514 new housing units in 2025, 8.1 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Haywood County?
$61,912 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Haywood County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 68th of 100 for population growth; 51st of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 57th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 46th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 1,320th 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.