Population
54,786
2025
+0.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Watauga County, NC growth snapshot
Watauga County had an estimated 54,786 residents in 2025, up 0.6% (320 more people) since 2020. That is slower than North Carolina as a whole (+7.2%), and the 114th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
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.
Jobs
24,591
2025
+10.8% 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
$984
2025
+27.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
−0.3 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
536
2025
+51.0% since 2021
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).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 172 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Employers counted 24,591 jobs in 2025, +10.8% since 2020 (51st of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $984.
Unemployment averaged 3.5% in 2025, 0.3 points lower than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
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.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 1,679th.
Part of the Boone, NC micro area.
Watauga County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 54,786 | −135 |
| 2024 | 54,921 | −441 |
| 2023 | 55,362 | −1 |
| 2022 | 55,363 | +61 |
| 2021 | 55,302 | +836 |
| 2020 | 54,466 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Watauga County
Watauga County grew by 320 people since 2020; the largest part came from international migration (+470).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −65 | −528 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +96 | +470 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −172 | +445 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +6 | −67 | |
| Total change | −135 | +320 |
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 | 83rd of 100 | 1,679th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 94th of 100 | 2,364th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 19th of 100 | 483rd of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 80th of 100 | 2,651st of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 47th of 100 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 25th of 100 | 962nd of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 13th of 100 | 151st 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, Watauga County's population change (+0.6%) was ahead of 1 of its 5 neighbouring counties, behind 3 and level with Caldwell County.
Its median household income ($51,693, 2020–24) is lower than in all 5 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watauga County, NC This county | 54,786 | +0.6% | −3.1 | 9.8 | $51,693 |
| Johnson County, TN | 18,718 | +4.1% | 16.2 | 0.3 | $53,129 |
| Ashe County, NC | 27,514 | +3.5% | 10.0 | 7.1 | $56,866 |
| Avery County, NC | 18,110 | +1.1% | 0.9 | 8.3 | $61,428 |
| Caldwell County, NC | 81,105 | +0.6% | 8.1 | 6.2 | $56,425 |
| Wilkes County, NC | 66,233 | +0.5% | 2.6 | 2.3 | $51,721 |
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 Watauga County?
About 54,786 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Watauga County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 0.6% between 2020 and 2025, about 320 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). North Carolina as a whole changed +7.2% over the same years. That ranks 114th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Watauga County?
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).
How many jobs are in Watauga County?
Employers there reported 24,591 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +10.8% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $984 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Watauga County?
It averaged 3.5% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Watauga County?
Building permits authorized 536 new housing units in 2025, 9.8 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Watauga County?
$51,693 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Watauga County compare with other North Carolina counties?
Among North Carolina counties it ranks 83rd of 100 for population growth; 94th of 100 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 19th of 100 for private-sector job growth; 80th of 100 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 1,679th 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.