Buncombe County, NC

Buncombe County Map

Buncombe County Map

Buncombe County Overview

269,449
TOTAL POPULATION
130,266
MALE POPULATION
139,183
FEMALE POPULATION
93.59
MALES / 100 FEMALES
106.85
FEMALES / 100 MALES
42.3
MEDIAN AGE
3.2
AVG FAMILY SIZE
2.5
AVG HOUSEHOLD SIZE
$39,495
PER CAPITA INCOME
$85,099
AVG FAMILY INCOME
$66,531
AVG HOUSEHOLD INCOME
16.7%
WAGE / INCOME GAP [ % ]
83.3¢/ $1
WAGE / INCOME GAP [ $ ]
$8,666
FAMILY INCOME DEFICIT
0.48
INEQUALITY / GINI INDEX
137,028
LABOR FORCE [ PEOPLE ]
60.5%
PERCENT IN LABOR FORCE
3.6%
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

Buncombe County Area Codes

Race in Buncombe County

The most populous races in Buncombe County are White / Caucasian (229,554 | 85.2%), Hispanic or Latino (19,093 | 7.1%), and Two or more Races (16,022 | 5.9%).
Race in Buncombe County
Race# Population% Population
Asian3,1061.1%
Black / African American15,0895.6%
Hawaiian / Pacific3730.1%
Hispanic or Latino19,0937.1%
Native / Alaskan5610.2%
White / Caucasian229,55485.2%
Two or more Races16,0225.9%
Some other Race4,7441.8%
Total269,449100.0%

Ancestry in Buncombe County

The most populous ancestries reported in Buncombe County are English (66,706 | 24.8%), German (32,094 | 11.9%), Irish (25,910 | 9.6%), American (17,351 | 6.4%), and Mexican (10,580 | 3.9%), together accounting for 56.7% of all Buncombe County residents.
Ancestry in Buncombe County
Ancestry# Population% Population
African1980.1%
Albanian370.0%
American17,3516.4%
Apache290.0%
Arab7180.3%
Argentinean2230.1%
Armenian1720.1%
Australian730.0%
Austrian7180.3%
Barbadian50.0%
Belgian2950.1%
Bermudan240.0%
Bhutanese8090.3%
Blackfeet650.0%
Bolivian780.0%
Brazilian1010.0%
British2,6301.0%
Bulgarian940.0%
Burmese8090.3%
Cajun170.0%
Canadian1990.1%
Carpatho Rusyn380.0%
Celtic1430.1%
Central American3,0541.1%
Central American Indian1590.1%
Cherokee9460.4%
Chippewa540.0%
Choctaw420.0%
Colombian5670.2%
Costa Rican440.0%
Cree50.0%
Creek350.0%
Croatian1870.1%
Cuban5810.2%
Czech7670.3%
Czechoslovakian1080.0%
Danish6660.3%
Dominican4000.2%
Dutch2,2810.9%
Eastern European6400.2%
Ecuadorian2180.1%
Egyptian1000.0%
English66,70624.8%
Estonian190.0%
Ethiopian410.0%
European6,1752.3%
Fijian2830.1%
Filipino190.0%
Finnish1860.1%
French6,6132.5%
French American Indian100.0%
French Canadian8700.3%
German32,09411.9%
German Russian180.0%
Ghanaian370.0%
Greek1,7810.7%
Guamanian / Chamorro1470.1%
Guatemalan1,0360.4%
Haitian230.0%
Honduran9500.4%
Hungarian8870.3%
Icelander600.0%
Indian (Asian)6770.3%
Indonesian10.0%
Inupiat20.0%
Iranian700.0%
Irish25,9109.6%
Iroquois230.0%
Israeli740.0%
Italian9,8323.6%
Jamaican6830.3%
Japanese270.0%
Jordanian760.0%
Kiowa180.0%
Korean7430.3%
Laotian430.0%
Latvian290.0%
Lebanese4430.2%
Lithuanian4150.2%
Lumbee2090.1%
Luxembourger590.0%
Macedonian120.0%
Malaysian560.0%
Mexican10,5803.9%
Mexican American Indian690.0%
Native Hawaiian1870.1%
Navajo110.0%
New Zealander150.0%
Nicaraguan720.0%
Nigerian630.0%
Northern European6500.2%
Norwegian2,1360.8%
Pakistani2480.1%
Palestinian530.0%
Panamanian60.0%
Pennsylvania German900.0%
Peruvian820.0%
Polish3,7751.4%
Portuguese3890.1%
Puerto Rican1,3340.5%
Romanian9440.4%
Russian2,6051.0%
Salvadoran9460.4%
Samoan370.0%
Scandinavian9520.4%
Scotch-Irish8,5443.2%
Scottish10,0863.7%
Serbian350.0%
Shoshone350.0%
Sioux610.0%
Slavic3840.1%
Slovak3980.2%
Slovene600.0%
South African1150.0%
South American2,2350.8%
South American Indian30.0%
Spaniard3530.1%
Spanish1250.1%
Sri Lankan790.0%
Subsaharan African4900.2%
Swedish1,6060.6%
Swiss5810.2%
Syrian220.0%
Thai1,1310.4%
Trinidadian and Tobagonian410.0%
Turkish990.0%
U.S. Virgin Islander240.0%
Ugandan50.0%
Ukrainian1,7080.6%
Uruguayan290.0%
Venezuelan6110.2%
Welsh1,9130.7%
West Indian360.0%
Yaqui20.0%
Yugoslavian440.0%
View All 135 Rows

Immigrants in Buncombe County

The most numerous immigrant groups reported in Buncombe County came from Latin America (8,494 | 3.2%), Central America (6,092 | 2.3%), Europe (4,881 | 1.8%), Mexico (4,085 | 1.5%), and Asia (2,939 | 1.1%), together accounting for 9.8% of all Buncombe County residents.
Immigrants in Buncombe County
Immigration Origin# Population% Population
Africa3790.1%
Argentina760.0%
Asia2,9391.1%
Australia200.0%
Austria140.0%
Bangladesh530.0%
Belarus1030.0%
Belgium440.0%
Brazil2350.1%
Bulgaria470.0%
Cambodia270.0%
Canada4980.2%
Caribbean9000.3%
Central America6,0922.3%
Chile110.0%
China3150.1%
Colombia4310.2%
Costa Rica200.0%
Croatia260.0%
Cuba3980.2%
Czechoslovakia260.0%
Denmark520.0%
Dominican Republic2030.1%
Eastern Africa750.0%
Eastern Asia7110.3%
Eastern Europe2,8951.1%
Ecuador1210.0%
Egypt140.0%
El Salvador4550.2%
England2680.1%
Ethiopia90.0%
Europe4,8811.8%
Fiji80.0%
France1510.1%
Germany5490.2%
Ghana480.0%
Greece510.0%
Guatemala5900.2%
Haiti120.0%
Honduras9000.3%
Hong Kong460.0%
Hungary940.0%
India4020.2%
Indonesia990.0%
Iran510.0%
Ireland910.0%
Italy1350.1%
Jamaica2740.1%
Japan2060.1%
Jordan350.0%
Kazakhstan630.0%
Korea1900.1%
Kuwait870.0%
Laos110.0%
Latin America8,4943.2%
Latvia330.0%
Lebanon480.0%
Malaysia400.0%
Mexico4,0851.5%
Moldova5800.2%
Nepal20.0%
Netherlands240.0%
Nicaragua420.0%
Nigeria360.0%
Northern Africa420.0%
Northern Europe8680.3%
Norway70.0%
Oceania800.0%
Pakistan390.0%
Peru260.0%
Philippines5430.2%
Poland390.0%
Portugal170.0%
Romania760.0%
Russia5990.2%
Saudi Arabia400.0%
Scotland430.0%
Singapore80.0%
South Africa1710.1%
South America1,5020.6%
South Central Asia8430.3%
South Eastern Asia1,0780.4%
Southern Europe2800.1%
Spain770.0%
Sweden440.0%
Switzerland560.0%
Thailand2820.1%
Trinidad and Tobago30.0%
Turkey370.0%
Uganda50.0%
Ukraine9850.4%
Uruguay290.0%
Uzbekistan2330.1%
Venezuela5730.2%
Vietnam670.0%
Western Africa840.0%
Western Asia3070.1%
Western Europe8380.3%
Zimbabwe610.0%
View All 99 Rows

Sex and Age in Buncombe County

Sex and Age in Buncombe County

The most populous age groups in Buncombe County are 35 to 39 Years (9,795 | 7.5%) for men and 40 to 44 Years (10,299 | 7.4%) for women.
Sex and Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketMaleFemale
Under 5 Years6,427 (4.9%)6,021 (4.3%)
5 to 9 Years7,185 (5.5%)6,550 (4.7%)
10 to 14 Years6,753 (5.2%)6,939 (5.0%)
15 to 19 Years7,718 (5.9%)7,282 (5.2%)
20 to 24 Years7,113 (5.5%)7,377 (5.3%)
25 to 29 Years8,811 (6.8%)9,227 (6.6%)
30 to 34 Years9,354 (7.2%)9,701 (7.0%)
35 to 39 Years9,795 (7.5%)8,275 (5.9%)
40 to 44 Years8,488 (6.5%)10,299 (7.4%)
45 to 49 Years8,959 (6.9%)8,445 (6.1%)
50 to 54 Years8,339 (6.4%)8,499 (6.1%)
55 to 59 Years8,861 (6.8%)9,300 (6.7%)
60 to 64 Years8,174 (6.3%)9,994 (7.2%)
65 to 69 Years7,852 (6.0%)9,663 (6.9%)
70 to 74 Years7,318 (5.6%)8,113 (5.8%)
75 to 79 Years4,369 (3.4%)5,320 (3.8%)
80 to 84 Years2,138 (1.6%)3,117 (2.2%)
85 Years and over2,612 (2.0%)5,061 (3.6%)
Total130,266 (100.0%)139,183 (100.0%)

Families and Households in Buncombe County

Median Family Size in Buncombe County

The median family size in Buncombe County is 3.20 persons per family, with single female/mother families (9,801 | 16.0%) accounting for the largest median family size of 3.7 persons per family. On the other hand, married-couple families (47,977 | 78.4%) represent the smallest median family size with 3.07 persons per family.
Median Family Size in Buncombe County
Family Type# FamiliesFamily Size
Married-Couple47,977 (78.4%)3.07
Single Male/Father3,405 (5.6%)3.64
Single Female/Mother9,801 (16.0%)3.70
Total Families61,183 (100.0%)3.20

Median Household Size in Buncombe County

The median household size in Buncombe County is 2.55 persons per household, with single male/father households (3,405 | 3.3%) accounting for the largest median household size of 4.03 persons per household. non-family households (41,738 | 40.6%) represent the smallest median household size with 1.44 persons per household.
Median Household Size in Buncombe County
Household Type# HouseholdsHousehold Size
Married-Couple47,977 (46.6%)3.11
Single Male/Father3,405 (3.3%)4.03
Single Female/Mother9,801 (9.5%)4.02
Non-family41,738 (40.6%)1.44
Total Households102,921 (100.0%)2.55

Household Size by Marriage Status in Buncombe County

Out of a total of 102,921 households in Buncombe County, 61,183 (59.5%) are family households, while 41,738 (40.6%) are nonfamily households. The most numerous type of family households are 2-person households, comprising 33,142, and the most common type of nonfamily households are 1-person households, comprising 32,259.
Household Size by Marriage Status in Buncombe County
Household SizeFamily HouseholdsNonfamily Households
1-Person Households-32,259 (31.3%)
2-Person Households33,142 (32.2%)8,332 (8.1%)
3-Person Households12,890 (12.5%)916 (0.9%)
4-Person Households9,826 (9.6%)197 (0.2%)
5-Person Households3,803 (3.7%)34 (0.0%)
6-Person Households952 (0.9%)0 (0.0%)
7+ Person Households570 (0.5%)0 (0.0%)
Total61,183 (59.5%)41,738 (40.6%)

Female Fertility in Buncombe County

Fertility by Age in Buncombe County

Average fertility rate in Buncombe County is 37.0 births per 1,000 women. Women in the age bracket of 20 to 34 years have the highest fertility rate with 62.0 births per 1,000 women. Women in the age bracket of 20 to 34 years acount for 71.6% of all women with births.
Female Fertility by Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketWomen with BirthsBirths / 1,000 Women
15 to 19 years79 (3.5%)11.0
20 to 34 years1,642 (71.6%)62.0
35 to 50 years572 (24.9%)20.0
Total2,293 (100.0%)37.0

Fertility by Age by Marriage Status in Buncombe County

64.5% of women with births (2,293) in Buncombe County are married. The highest percentage of unmarried women with births falls into 15 to 19 years age bracket with 100.0% of them unmarried at the time of birth, while the lowest percentage of unmarried women with births belong to 35 to 50 years age bracket with 5.2% of them unmarried.
Female Fertility by Age by Marriage Status in Buncombe County
Age BracketMarriedUnmarried
15 to 19 years0 (0.0%)79 (100.0%)
20 to 34 years938 (57.1%)704 (42.9%)
35 to 50 years542 (94.8%)30 (5.2%)
Total1,479 (64.5%)814 (35.5%)

Fertility by Education in Buncombe County

Average fertility rate in Buncombe County is 37.0 births per 1,000 women. Women with the education attainment of high school diploma have the highest fertility rate of 52.0 births per 1,000 women, while women with the education attainment of college or associate's degree have the lowest fertility at 23.0 births per 1,000 women. Women with the education attainment of bachelor's degree represent 30.9% of all women with births.
Female Fertility by Education Attainment in Buncombe County
Educational AttainmentWomen with BirthsBirths / 1,000 Women
Less than High School194 (8.5%)24.0
High School Diploma692 (30.2%)52.0
College or Associate's Degree366 (16.0%)23.0
Bachelor's Degree708 (30.9%)43.0
Graduate Degree333 (14.5%)38.0
Total2,293 (100.0%)37.0

Fertility by Education by Marriage Status in Buncombe County

35.5% of women with births in Buncombe County are unmarried. Women with the educational attainment of graduate degree are most likely to be married with 94.6% of them married at childbirth, while women with the educational attainment of less than high school are least likely to be married with 64.4% of them unmarried at childbirth.
Female Fertility by Education by Marriage Status in Buncombe County
Educational AttainmentMarriedUnmarried
Less than High School69 (35.6%)125 (64.4%)
High School Diploma258 (37.3%)434 (62.7%)
College or Associate's Degree177 (48.4%)189 (51.6%)
Bachelor's Degree661 (93.4%)47 (6.6%)
Graduate Degree315 (94.6%)18 (5.4%)
Total1,479 (64.5%)814 (35.5%)

Income in Buncombe County

Income Overview in Buncombe County

Per Capita Income in Buncombe County is $39,495, while median incomes of families and households are $85,099 and $66,531 respectively.
CharacteristicNumberMeasure
Per Capita Income269,449$39,495
Median Family Income61,183$85,099
Mean Family Income61,183$115,909
Median Household Income102,921$66,531
Mean Household Income102,921$94,799
Income Deficit61,183$8,666
Wage / Income Gap (%)269,44916.72%
Wage / Income Gap ($)269,44983.28¢ per $1
Gini / Inequality Index269,4490.48

Earnings by Sex in Buncombe County

Average Earnings in Buncombe County are $36,694, $40,323 for men and $33,581 for women, a difference of 16.7%.
Earnings by Sex in Buncombe County
SexNumberAverage Earnings
Male73,659 (51.4%)$40,323
Female69,683 (48.6%)$33,581
Total143,342 (100.0%)$36,694

Earnings by Sex by Income Bracket in Buncombe County

The most common earnings brackets in Buncombe County are $100,000+ for men (10,241 | 13.9%) and $25,000 to $29,999 for women (6,043 | 8.7%).
Earnings by Sex by Income Bracket in Buncombe County
IncomeMaleFemale
$2,499 or less3,095 (4.2%)3,777 (5.4%)
$2,500 to $4,9991,839 (2.5%)2,086 (3.0%)
$5,000 to $7,4992,509 (3.4%)2,461 (3.5%)
$7,500 to $9,9991,652 (2.2%)2,498 (3.6%)
$10,000 to $12,4992,002 (2.7%)2,716 (3.9%)
$12,500 to $14,9991,918 (2.6%)2,007 (2.9%)
$15,000 to $17,4992,170 (2.9%)3,102 (4.4%)
$17,500 to $19,9991,483 (2.0%)2,484 (3.6%)
$20,000 to $22,4992,879 (3.9%)2,422 (3.5%)
$22,500 to $24,9992,559 (3.5%)1,913 (2.8%)
$25,000 to $29,9994,688 (6.4%)6,043 (8.7%)
$30,000 to $34,9995,392 (7.3%)4,943 (7.1%)
$35,000 to $39,9994,349 (5.9%)4,686 (6.7%)
$40,000 to $44,9993,712 (5.0%)4,278 (6.1%)
$45,000 to $49,9994,092 (5.6%)3,733 (5.4%)
$50,000 to $54,9993,067 (4.2%)2,814 (4.0%)
$55,000 to $64,9995,965 (8.1%)5,372 (7.7%)
$65,000 to $74,9994,105 (5.6%)3,448 (5.0%)
$75,000 to $99,9995,942 (8.1%)4,289 (6.2%)
$100,000+10,241 (13.9%)4,611 (6.6%)
Total73,659 (100.0%)69,683 (100.0%)

Earnings by Sex by Educational Attainment in Buncombe County

Average earnings in Buncombe County are $45,758 for men and $37,830 for women, a difference of 17.3%. Men with an educational attainment of graduate degree enjoy the highest average annual earnings of $75,404, while those with less than high school education earn the least with $27,126. Women with an educational attainment of graduate degree earn the most with the average annual earnings of $57,115, while those with less than high school education have the smallest earnings of $22,228.
Earnings by Sex by Educational Attainment in Buncombe County
Educational AttainmentMale IncomeFemale Income
Less than High School$27,126$22,228
High School Diploma$33,138$27,392
College or Associate's Degree$40,283$32,946
Bachelor's Degree$57,015$43,587
Graduate Degree$75,404$57,115
Total$45,758$37,830

Family Income in Buncombe County

Family Income Brackets in Buncombe County

According to the Buncombe County family income data, there are 12,481 families falling into the $100,000 to $149,999 income range, which is the most common income bracket and makes up 20.4% of all families. Conversely, the $10,000 to $14,999 income bracket is the least frequent group with only 857 families (1.4%) belonging to this category.
Family Income Brackets in Buncombe County
Income Bracket# Families% Families
Less than $10,0001,0401.7%
$10,000 to $14,9998571.4%
$15,000 to $24,9992,6924.4%
$25,000 to $34,9994,0996.7%
$35,000 to $49,9997,03611.5%
$50,000 to $74,99911,19618.3%
$75,000 to $99,9998,74914.3%
$100,000 to $149,99912,48120.4%
$150,000 to $199,9995,5069.0%
$200,000+7,52612.3%

Family Income by Famaliy Size in Buncombe County

7+ person families (441 | 0.7%) account for the highest median family income in Buncombe County with $105,013 per family, while 2-person families (34,910 | 57.1%) have the highest median income of $40,608 per family member.
Family Income by Famaliy Size in Buncombe County
Income Bracket# FamiliesMedian Income
2-Person Families34,910 (57.1%)$81,215
3-Person Families12,093 (19.8%)$82,612
4-Person Families9,512 (15.5%)$100,543
5-Person Families3,421 (5.6%)$95,733
6-Person Families806 (1.3%)$88,529
7+ Person Families441 (0.7%)$105,013
Total61,183 (100.0%)$85,099

Family Income by Number of Earners in Buncombe County

The median family income in Buncombe County is $85,099, with families comprising 3+ earners (5,077) having the highest median family income of $126,810, while families with 1 earner (19,627) have the lowest median family income of $59,942, accounting for 8.3% and 32.1% of families, respectively.
Family Income by Number of Earners in Buncombe County
Number of Earners# FamiliesMedian Income
No Earners11,823 (19.3%)$64,168
1 Earner19,627 (32.1%)$59,942
2 Earners24,656 (40.3%)$106,627
3+ Earners5,077 (8.3%)$126,810
Total61,183 (100.0%)$85,099

Household Income in Buncombe County

Household Income Brackets in Buncombe County

With 18,835 households falling in the category, the $50,000 to $74,999 income range is the most frequent in Buncombe County, accounting for 18.3% of all households. In contrast, only 4,117 households (4.0%) fall into the less than $10,000 income bracket, making it the least populous group.
Household Income Brackets in Buncombe County
Income Bracket# Households% Households
Less than $10,0004,1174.0%
$10,000 to $14,9994,4264.3%
$15,000 to $24,9998,9548.7%
$25,000 to $34,9998,4408.2%
$35,000 to $49,99913,07112.7%
$50,000 to $74,99918,83518.3%
$75,000 to $99,99913,17412.8%
$100,000 to $149,99916,15915.7%
$150,000 to $199,9996,7936.6%
$200,000+9,0578.8%

Household Income by Householder Age in Buncombe County

The median household income in Buncombe County is $66,531, with the highest median household income of $76,968 found in the 45 to 64 years age bracket for the primary householder. A total of 36,083 households (35.1%) fall into this category. Meanwhile, the 15 to 24 years age bracket for the primary householder has the lowest median household income of $41,090, with 2,725 households (2.6%) in this group.
Household Income by Householder Age in Buncombe County
Income Bracket# HouseholdsMedian Income
15 to 24 Years2,725 (2.6%)$41,090
25 to 44 Years30,734 (29.9%)$70,626
45 to 64 Years36,083 (35.1%)$76,968
65+ Years33,379 (32.4%)$54,916
Total102,921 (100.0%)$66,531

Poverty in Buncombe County

Income Below Poverty by Sex and Age in Buncombe County

With 11.0% poverty level for males and 11.5% for females among the residents of Buncombe County, 6 to 11 year old males and under 5 year old females are the most vulnerable to poverty, with 1,722 males (21.7%) and 1,181 females (20.8%) in their respective age groups living below the poverty level.
Income Below Poverty by Sex and Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketMaleFemale
Under 5 Years390 (6.3%)1,181 (20.8%)
5 Years175 (12.1%)252 (20.7%)
6 to 11 Years1,722 (21.7%)1,350 (16.7%)
12 to 14 Years450 (10.5%)429 (10.6%)
15 Years176 (9.6%)5 (0.4%)
16 and 17 Years274 (10.4%)453 (15.6%)
18 to 24 Years1,632 (17.7%)1,745 (18.6%)
25 to 34 Years1,668 (9.3%)2,911 (15.5%)
35 to 44 Years1,793 (10.0%)1,622 (8.8%)
45 to 54 Years1,533 (9.0%)1,258 (7.4%)
55 to 64 Years1,982 (11.7%)1,492 (7.8%)
65 to 74 Years1,353 (9.0%)1,248 (7.1%)
75 Years and over822 (9.7%)1,627 (13.3%)
Total13,970 (11.0%)15,573 (11.5%)

Income Above Poverty by Sex and Age in Buncombe County

According to the poverty statistics in Buncombe County, males aged under 5 years and females aged 15 years are the age groups that are most secure financially, with 93.7% of males and 99.6% of females in these age groups living above the poverty line.
Income Above Poverty by Sex and Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketMaleFemale
Under 5 Years5,832 (93.7%)4,507 (79.2%)
5 Years1,270 (87.9%)965 (79.3%)
6 to 11 Years6,220 (78.3%)6,724 (83.3%)
12 to 14 Years3,853 (89.5%)3,631 (89.4%)
15 Years1,654 (90.4%)1,228 (99.6%)
16 and 17 Years2,354 (89.6%)2,456 (84.4%)
18 to 24 Years7,601 (82.3%)7,614 (81.4%)
25 to 34 Years16,219 (90.7%)15,881 (84.5%)
35 to 44 Years16,127 (90.0%)16,823 (91.2%)
45 to 54 Years15,545 (91.0%)15,645 (92.6%)
55 to 64 Years14,985 (88.3%)17,714 (92.2%)
65 to 74 Years13,703 (91.0%)16,369 (92.9%)
75 Years and over7,642 (90.3%)10,619 (86.7%)
Total113,005 (89.0%)120,176 (88.5%)

Income Below Poverty Among Married-Couple Families in Buncombe County

The poverty statistics for married-couple families in Buncombe County show that 3.7% or 1,776 of the total 47,977 families live below the poverty line. Families with 3 or 4 children have the highest poverty rate of 13.6%, comprising of 298 families. On the other hand, families with 5 or more children have the lowest poverty rate of 0.0%, which includes 0 families.
Income Below Poverty Among Married-Couple Families in Buncombe County
ChildrenAbove PovertyBelow Poverty
No Children31,040 (97.0%)971 (3.0%)
1 or 2 Children13,122 (96.3%)507 (3.7%)
3 or 4 Children1,897 (86.4%)298 (13.6%)
5 or more Children142 (100.0%)0 (0.0%)
Total46,201 (96.3%)1,776 (3.7%)

Income Below Poverty Among Single-Parent Households in Buncombe County

According to the poverty data in Buncombe County, 10.2% or 348 single-father households and 19.9% or 1,951 single-mother households are living below the poverty line. Among single-father households, those with 3 or 4 children have the highest poverty rate, with 61 households (27.9%) experiencing poverty. Likewise, among single-mother households, those with 5 or more children have the highest poverty rate, with 25 households (100.0%) falling below the poverty line.
Income Below Poverty Among Single-Parent Households in Buncombe County
ChildrenSingle FatherSingle Mother
No Children59 (3.8%)422 (11.4%)
1 or 2 Children228 (14.0%)1,234 (22.6%)
3 or 4 Children61 (27.9%)270 (43.8%)
5 or more Children0 (0.0%)25 (100.0%)
Total348 (10.2%)1,951 (19.9%)

Income Below Poverty Among Married-Couple vs Single-Parent Households in Buncombe County

The poverty data for Buncombe County shows that 1,776 of the married-couple family households (3.7%) and 2,299 of the single-parent households (17.4%) are living below the poverty level. Within the married-couple family households, those with 3 or 4 children have the highest poverty rate, with 298 households (13.6%) falling below the poverty line. Among the single-parent households, those with 5 or more children have the highest poverty rate, with 25 household (100.0%) living below poverty.
Income Below Poverty Among Married-Couple vs Single-Parent Households in Buncombe County
ChildrenMarried-Couple FamiliesSingle-Parent Households
No Children971 (3.0%)481 (9.1%)
1 or 2 Children507 (3.7%)1,462 (20.6%)
3 or 4 Children298 (13.6%)331 (39.6%)
5 or more Children0 (0.0%)25 (100.0%)
Total1,776 (3.7%)2,299 (17.4%)

Employment Characteristics in Buncombe County

Employment by Class of Employer in Buncombe County

Among the 130,073 employed individuals in Buncombe County, private company employees (88,342 | 67.9%), self-employed (not incorporated) (9,761 | 7.5%), and not-for-profit organizations (9,324 | 7.2%) make up the most common classes of employment.
Employment by Class of Employer in Buncombe County
Employer Class# Employees% Employees
Private Company Employees88,34267.9%
Self-Employed (Incorporated)7,2745.6%
Self-Employed (Not Incorporated)9,7617.5%
Not-for-profit Organizations9,3247.2%
Local Government Employees6,1904.8%
State Government Employees5,8404.5%
Federal Government Employees3,0202.3%
Unpaid Family Workers3220.3%
Total130,073100.0%

Employment Status by Age in Buncombe County

According to the labor force statistics for Buncombe County, out of the total population over 16 years of age (226,493), 60.5% or 137,028 individuals are in the labor force, with 3.6% or 4,933 of them unemployed. The age group with the highest labor force participation rate is 30 to 34 years, with 87.4% or 16,654 individuals in the labor force. Within the labor force, the 16 to 19 years age range has the highest percentage of unemployed individuals, with 12.9% or 650 of them being unemployed.
Employment Status by Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketIn Labor ForceUnemployed
16 to 19 Years5,042 (42.3%)650 (12.9%)
20 to 24 Years11,041 (76.2%)762 (6.9%)
25 to 29 Years15,224 (84.4%)563 (3.7%)
30 to 34 Years16,654 (87.4%)350 (2.1%)
35 to 44 Years31,439 (85.3%)1,006 (3.2%)
45 to 54 Years26,880 (78.5%)995 (3.7%)
55 to 59 Years12,313 (67.8%)296 (2.4%)
60 to 64 Years9,357 (51.5%)196 (2.1%)
65 to 74 Years7,808 (23.7%)117 (1.5%)
75 Years and over1,357 (6.0%)39 (2.9%)
Total137,028 (60.5%)4,933 (3.6%)

Employment Status by Educational Attainment in Buncombe County

According to labor force statistics for Buncombe County, 77.4% of individuals (111,859) out of the total population between 25 and 64 years of age (144,521) are in the labor force, with 3.1% or 3,468 of them being unemployed. The group with the highest labor force participation rate are those with the educational attainment of bachelor's degree or higher, with 84.5% or 52,908 individuals in the labor force. Within the labor force, individuals with less than high school education have the highest percentage of unemployment, with 5.2% or 300 of them being unemployed.
Employment Status by Educational Attainment in Buncombe County
Educational AttainmentIn Labor ForceUnemployed
Less than High School5,768 (49.6%)605 (5.2%)
High School Diploma22,440 (70.8%)1,490 (4.7%)
College / Associate Degree30,751 (79.7%)1,350 (3.5%)
Bachelor's Degree or higher52,908 (84.5%)1,190 (1.9%)
Total111,859 (77.4%)4,480 (3.1%)

Employment Occupations by Sex in Buncombe County

Management, Business, Science and Arts Occupations

The most common Management, Business, Science and Arts occupations in Buncombe County are Community & Social Service (16,592 | 12.6%), Management (14,254 | 10.8%), Health Diagnosing & Treating (10,341 | 7.8%), Computers, Engineering & Science (8,291 | 6.3%), and Education Instruction & Library (7,753 | 5.9%).
Management, Business, Science and Arts Occupations in Buncombe County

Management, Business, Science and Arts Occupations by Sex

Within the Management, Business, Science and Arts occupations in Buncombe County, the most male-oriented occupations are Architecture & Engineering (83.3%), Computers & Mathematics (75.3%), and Computers, Engineering & Science (71.7%), while the most female-oriented occupations are Education Instruction & Library (75.0%), Education, Arts & Media (68.7%), and Health Diagnosing & Treating (68.5%).
Management, Business, Science and Arts Occupations by Sex in Buncombe County
OccupationMaleFemale
Management7,867 (55.2%)6,387 (44.8%)
Business & Financial2,550 (47.5%)2,814 (52.5%)
Computers, Engineering & Science5,948 (71.7%)2,343 (28.3%)
Computers & Mathematics3,061 (75.3%)1,006 (24.7%)
Architecture & Engineering2,176 (83.3%)436 (16.7%)
Life, Physical & Social Science711 (44.1%)901 (55.9%)
Community & Social Service 5,756 (34.7%)10,836 (65.3%)
Education, Arts & Media1,135 (31.3%)2,487 (68.7%)
Legal Services & Support501 (43.0%)663 (57.0%)
Education Instruction & Library1,935 (25.0%)5,818 (75.0%)
Arts, Media & Entertainment2,185 (53.9%)1,868 (46.1%)
Health Diagnosing & Treating3,262 (31.5%)7,079 (68.5%)
Health Technologists2,496 (33.1%)5,042 (66.9%)
Total (Category)25,383 (46.3%)29,459 (53.7%)
Total (Overall)67,608 (51.3%)64,275 (48.7%)

Services Occupations

The most common Services occupations in Buncombe County are Food Preparation & Serving (11,006 | 8.4%), Cleaning & Maintenance (4,518 | 3.4%), Healthcare Support (3,714 | 2.8%), Personal Care & Service (3,355 | 2.5%), and Security & Protection (1,885 | 1.4%).
Services Occupations in Buncombe County

Services Occupations by Sex

Within the Services occupations in Buncombe County, the most male-oriented occupations are Firefighting & Prevention (88.3%), Security & Protection (80.4%), and Law Enforcement (68.6%), while the most female-oriented occupations are Healthcare Support (85.7%), Personal Care & Service (74.4%), and Food Preparation & Serving (52.6%).
Services Occupations by Sex in Buncombe County
OccupationMaleFemale
Healthcare Support532 (14.3%)3,182 (85.7%)
Security & Protection1,516 (80.4%)369 (19.6%)
Firefighting & Prevention1,001 (88.3%)133 (11.7%)
Law Enforcement515 (68.6%)236 (31.4%)
Food Preparation & Serving5,213 (47.4%)5,793 (52.6%)
Cleaning & Maintenance2,609 (57.8%)1,909 (42.2%)
Personal Care & Service859 (25.6%)2,496 (74.4%)
Total (Category)10,729 (43.8%)13,749 (56.2%)
Total (Overall)67,608 (51.3%)64,275 (48.7%)

Sales and Office Occupations

The most common Sales and Office occupations in Buncombe County are Sales & Related (15,127 | 11.5%), and Office & Administration (12,001 | 9.1%).
Sales and Office Occupations in Buncombe County

Sales and Office Occupations by Sex

Sales and Office Occupations by Sex in Buncombe County
OccupationMaleFemale
Sales & Related7,385 (48.8%)7,742 (51.2%)
Office & Administration2,906 (24.2%)9,095 (75.8%)
Total (Category)10,291 (37.9%)16,837 (62.1%)
Total (Overall)67,608 (51.3%)64,275 (48.7%)

Natural Resources, Construction and Maintenance Occupations

The most common Natural Resources, Construction and Maintenance occupations in Buncombe County are Construction & Extraction (6,903 | 5.2%), Installation, Maintenance & Repair (3,856 | 2.9%), and Farming, Fishing & Forestry (508 | 0.4%).
Natural Resources, Construction and Maintenance Occupations in Buncombe County

Natural Resources, Construction and Maintenance Occupations by Sex

Natural Resources, Construction and Maintenance Occupations by Sex in Buncombe County
OccupationMaleFemale
Farming, Fishing & Forestry441 (86.8%)67 (13.2%)
Construction & Extraction6,698 (97.0%)205 (3.0%)
Installation, Maintenance & Repair3,571 (92.6%)285 (7.4%)
Total (Category)10,710 (95.1%)557 (4.9%)
Total (Overall)67,608 (51.3%)64,275 (48.7%)

Production, Transportation and Moving Occupations

The most common Production, Transportation and Moving occupations in Buncombe County are Production (6,456 | 4.9%), Material Moving (4,427 | 3.4%), and Transportation (3,285 | 2.5%).
Production, Transportation and Moving Occupations in Buncombe County

Production, Transportation and Moving Occupations by Sex

Production, Transportation and Moving Occupations by Sex in Buncombe County
OccupationMaleFemale
Production4,370 (67.7%)2,086 (32.3%)
Transportation2,896 (88.2%)389 (11.8%)
Material Moving3,229 (72.9%)1,198 (27.1%)
Total (Category)10,495 (74.1%)3,673 (25.9%)
Total (Overall)67,608 (51.3%)64,275 (48.7%)

Employment Industries by Sex in Buncombe County

Employment Industries in Buncombe County

The major employment industries in Buncombe County include Health Care & Social Assistance (22,391 | 17.0%), Retail Trade (16,433 | 12.5%), Accommodation & Food Services (14,258 | 10.8%), Manufacturing (12,681 | 9.6%), and Educational Services (10,218 | 7.7%).
Employment Industries in Buncombe County

Employment Industries by Sex in Buncombe County

The Buncombe County industries that see more men than women are Enterprise Management (100.0%), Construction (89.4%), and Agriculture, Fishing & Hunting (80.9%), whereas the industries that tend to have a higher number of women are Health Care & Social Assistance (72.9%), Educational Services (72.6%), and Finance & Insurance (57.9%).
Employment Industries by Sex in Buncombe County
IndustryMaleFemale
Agriculture, Fishing & Hunting871 (80.9%)206 (19.1%)
Mining, Quarrying, & Extraction152 (69.1%)68 (30.9%)
Construction9,102 (89.4%)1,084 (10.6%)
Manufacturing8,493 (67.0%)4,188 (33.0%)
Wholesale Trade1,634 (70.7%)676 (29.3%)
Retail Trade8,341 (50.8%)8,092 (49.2%)
Transportation & Warehousing2,840 (78.1%)794 (21.8%)
Utilities487 (73.0%)180 (27.0%)
Information1,155 (63.9%)652 (36.1%)
Finance & Insurance1,520 (42.1%)2,090 (57.9%)
Real Estate, Rental & Leasing1,679 (52.4%)1,525 (47.6%)
Professional & Scientific5,724 (56.2%)4,460 (43.8%)
Enterprise Management28 (100.0%)0 (0.0%)
Administrative & Support2,650 (60.3%)1,746 (39.7%)
Educational Services2,801 (27.4%)7,417 (72.6%)
Health Care & Social Assistance6,075 (27.1%)16,316 (72.9%)
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation2,100 (55.5%)1,684 (44.5%)
Accommodation & Food Services6,250 (43.8%)8,008 (56.2%)
Public Administration2,388 (55.8%)1,894 (44.2%)
Total67,608 (51.3%)64,275 (48.7%)

Education in Buncombe County

School Enrollment in Buncombe County

The most common levels of schooling among the 53,423 students in Buncombe County are college / undergraduate (11,803 | 22.1%), high school (11,728 | 22.0%), and middle school (10,762 | 20.1%).
School Enrollment in Buncombe County
School Level# Students% Students
Nursery / Preschool2,9035.4%
Kindergarten2,9325.5%
Elementary School10,49919.7%
Middle School10,76220.1%
High School11,72822.0%
College / Undergraduate11,80322.1%
Graduate / Professional2,7965.2%
Total53,423100.0%

School Enrollment by Age by Funding Source in Buncombe County

Out of a total of 53,423 students who are enrolled in schools in Buncombe County, 9,028 (16.9%) attend a private institution, while the remaining 44,395 (83.1%) are enrolled in public schools. The age group of 3 to 4 year olds has the highest likelihood of being enrolled in private schools, with 961 (50.4% in the age bracket) enrolled. Conversely, the age group of 15 to 17 year olds has the lowest likelihood of being enrolled in a private school, with 7,275 (87.5% in the age bracket) attending a public institution.
School Enrollment by Age by Funding Source in Buncombe County
Age BracketPublic SchoolPrivate School
3 to 4 Year Olds947 (49.6%)961 (50.4%)
5 to 9 Year Old11,133 (85.6%)1,870 (14.4%)
10 to 14 Year Olds11,276 (84.3%)2,094 (15.7%)
15 to 17 Year Olds7,275 (87.5%)1,043 (12.5%)
18 to 19 Year Olds3,794 (80.7%)908 (19.3%)
20 to 24 Year Olds4,199 (82.4%)899 (17.6%)
25 to 34 Year Olds3,357 (81.0%)789 (19.0%)
35 Years and over2,412 (83.8%)466 (16.2%)
Total44,395 (83.1%)9,028 (16.9%)

Educational Attainment by Field of Study in Buncombe County

Business (14,682 | 15.7%), education (10,784 | 11.6%), science & technology (8,350 | 8.9%), social sciences (7,181 | 7.7%), and bio, nature & agricultural (6,965 | 7.5%) are the most common fields of study among 93,331 individuals in Buncombe County who have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher.
Educational Attainment by Field of Study in Buncombe County
Field of Study# Graduates% Graduates
Computers & Mathematics3,1743.4%
Bio, Nature & Agricultural6,9657.5%
Physical & Health Sciences3,2393.5%
Psychology6,9607.5%
Social Sciences7,1817.7%
Engineering3,8504.1%
Multidisciplinary Studies1,3041.4%
Science & Technology8,3508.9%
Business14,68215.7%
Education10,78411.6%
Literature & Languages5,8356.2%
Liberal Arts & History5,2145.6%
Visual & Performing Arts6,8017.3%
Communications3,9544.2%
Arts & Humanities5,0385.4%
Total93,331100.0%

Transportation & Commute in Buncombe County

Vehicle Availability by Sex in Buncombe County

The most prevalent vehicle ownership categories in Buncombe County are males with 2 vehicles (29,229, accounting for 44.2%) and females with 2 vehicles (25,145, making up 46.6%).
Vehicle Availability by Sex in Buncombe County
Vehicles AvailableMaleFemale
No Vehicle871 (1.3%)1,196 (1.9%)
1 Vehicle10,937 (16.5%)14,807 (23.6%)
2 Vehicles29,229 (44.2%)25,145 (40.1%)
3 Vehicles15,520 (23.5%)13,169 (21.0%)
4 Vehicles6,157 (9.3%)5,990 (9.5%)
5 or more Vehicles3,393 (5.1%)2,466 (3.9%)
Total66,107 (100.0%)62,773 (100.0%)

Commute Time in Buncombe County

The most frequently occuring commute durations in Buncombe County are 20 to 24 minutes (28,261 commuters, 25.4%), 15 to 19 minutes (24,757 commuters, 22.2%), and 10 to 14 minutes (17,469 commuters, 15.7%).
Commute Time in Buncombe County
Commute Time# Commuters% Commuters
Less than 5 Minutes2,0811.9%
5 to 9 Minutes8,9008.0%
10 to 14 Minutes17,46915.7%
15 to 19 Minutes24,75722.2%
20 to 24 Minutes28,26125.4%
25 to 29 Minutes7,8967.1%
30 to 34 Minutes12,12110.9%
35 to 39 Minutes2,1101.9%
40 to 44 Minutes1,2881.2%
45 to 59 Minutes3,2042.9%
60 to 89 Minutes2,1281.9%
90 or more Minutes1,1141.0%

Commute Time by Sex in Buncombe County

The most common commute times in Buncombe County are 20 to 24 minutes (14,274 commuters, 25.1%) for males and 20 to 24 minutes (13,987 commuters, 25.7%) for females.
Commute Time by Sex in Buncombe County
Commute TimeMaleFemale
Less than 5 Minutes1,226 (2.2%)855 (1.6%)
5 to 9 Minutes4,201 (7.4%)4,699 (8.6%)
10 to 14 Minutes9,458 (16.6%)8,011 (14.7%)
15 to 19 Minutes11,708 (20.6%)13,049 (24.0%)
20 to 24 Minutes14,274 (25.1%)13,987 (25.7%)
25 to 29 Minutes3,480 (6.1%)4,416 (8.1%)
30 to 34 Minutes6,664 (11.7%)5,457 (10.0%)
35 to 39 Minutes1,243 (2.2%)867 (1.6%)
40 to 44 Minutes582 (1.0%)706 (1.3%)
45 to 59 Minutes1,850 (3.3%)1,354 (2.5%)
60 to 89 Minutes1,400 (2.5%)728 (1.3%)
90 or more Minutes775 (1.4%)339 (0.6%)

Time of Departure to Work by Sex in Buncombe County

The most frequent times of departure to work in Buncombe County are 7:30 AM to 7:59 AM (8,642, 15.2%) for males and 7:30 AM to 7:59 AM (7,791, 14.3%) for females.
Time of Departure to Work by Sex in Buncombe County
Time of DepartureMaleFemale
12:00 AM to 4:59 AM1,494 (2.6%)613 (1.1%)
5:00 AM to 5:29 AM1,200 (2.1%)708 (1.3%)
5:30 AM to 5:59 AM2,188 (3.8%)904 (1.7%)
6:00 AM to 6:29 AM3,932 (6.9%)3,744 (6.9%)
6:30 AM to 6:59 AM5,092 (9.0%)3,660 (6.7%)
7:00 AM to 7:29 AM7,406 (13.0%)7,781 (14.3%)
7:30 AM to 7:59 AM8,642 (15.2%)7,791 (14.3%)
8:00 AM to 8:29 AM8,389 (14.7%)6,853 (12.6%)
8:30 AM to 8:59 AM4,057 (7.1%)4,873 (8.9%)
9:00 AM to 9:59 AM3,690 (6.5%)5,896 (10.8%)
10:00 AM to 10:59 AM1,876 (3.3%)2,685 (4.9%)
11:00 AM to 11:59 AM749 (1.3%)789 (1.5%)
12:00 PM to 3:59 PM3,385 (5.9%)4,048 (7.4%)
4:00 PM to 11:59 PM4,761 (8.4%)4,123 (7.6%)
Total56,861 (100.0%)54,468 (100.0%)

Housing Occupancy in Buncombe County

Occupancy by Ownership in Buncombe County

Of the total 102,921 dwellings in Buncombe County, owner-occupied units account for 66,276 (64.4%), while renter-occupied units make up 36,645 (35.6%).
Occupancy by Ownership in Buncombe County
Occupancy# Housing Units% Housing Units
Owner Occupied Housing Units66,27664.4%
Renter-Occupied Housing Units36,64535.6%
Total Occupied Housing Units102,921100.0%

Occupancy by Household Size in Buncombe County

Occupancy by Household Size in Buncombe County
Household Size# Housing Units% Housing Units
1-Person Household32,25931.3%
2-Person Household41,47440.3%
3-Person Household13,80613.4%
4+ Person Household15,38214.9%
Total Housing Units102,921100.0%

Occupancy by Ownership by Household Size in Buncombe County

Occupancy by Ownership by Household Size in Buncombe County
Household SizeOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
1-Person Household16,481 (51.1%)15,778 (48.9%)
2-Person Household29,768 (71.8%)11,706 (28.2%)
3-Person Household9,326 (67.5%)4,480 (32.5%)
4+ Person Household10,701 (69.6%)4,681 (30.4%)
Total Housing Units66,276 (64.4%)36,645 (35.6%)

Occupancy by Educational Attainment in Buncombe County

Occupancy by Educational Attainment in Buncombe County
Household SizeOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
Less than High School3,023 (46.4%)3,493 (53.6%)
High School Diploma11,952 (58.5%)8,484 (41.5%)
College/Associate Degree16,671 (59.3%)11,465 (40.7%)
Bachelor's Degree or higher34,630 (72.4%)13,203 (27.6%)

Occupancy by Age of Householder in Buncombe County

Occupancy by Age of Householder in Buncombe County
Age Bracket# Households% Households
Under 35 Years17,08916.6%
35 to 44 Years16,37015.9%
45 to 54 Years16,87416.4%
55 to 64 Years19,20918.7%
65 to 74 Years19,95819.4%
75 to 84 Years9,0158.8%
85 Years and Over4,4064.3%
Total102,921100.0%

Housing Finances in Buncombe County

Median Income by Occupancy in Buncombe County

Median Income by Occupancy in Buncombe County
Occupancy Type# HouseholdsMedian Income
Owner-Occupied66,276 (64.4%)$83,675
Renter-Occupied36,645 (35.6%)$43,244
Average102,921 (100.0%)$66,531

Occupancy by Householder Income Bracket in Buncombe County

Occupancy by Householder Income Bracket in Buncombe County
Income BracketOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
Less than $5,000913 (1.4%)789 (2.1%)
$5,000 to $9,999725 (1.1%)1,642 (4.5%)
$10,000 to $14,9991,699 (2.6%)2,748 (7.5%)
$15,000 to $19,9992,242 (3.4%)2,246 (6.1%)
$20,000 to $24,9991,819 (2.7%)2,665 (7.3%)
$25,000 to $34,9993,876 (5.9%)4,518 (12.3%)
$35,000 to $49,9996,821 (10.3%)6,273 (17.1%)
$50,000 to $74,99911,618 (17.5%)7,215 (19.7%)
$75,000 to $99,9999,466 (14.3%)3,705 (10.1%)
$100,000 to $149,99913,242 (20.0%)2,893 (7.9%)
$150,000 or more13,855 (20.9%)1,951 (5.3%)
Total66,276 (100.0%)36,645 (100.0%)

Monthly Housing Cost Tiers in Buncombe County

Monthly Housing Cost Tiers in Buncombe County
Monthly CostOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
Less than $3005,525 (8.3%)1,305 (3.6%)
$300 to $49911,208 (16.9%)1,834 (5.0%)
$500 to $7999,660 (14.6%)3,763 (10.3%)
$800 to $9994,628 (7.0%)4,546 (12.4%)
$1,000 to $1,49911,944 (18.0%)13,053 (35.6%)
$1,500 to $1,99911,369 (17.2%)6,770 (18.5%)
$2,000 to $2,4995,398 (8.1%)1,736 (4.7%)
$2,500 to $2,9992,823 (4.3%)367 (1.0%)
$3,000 or more3,721 (5.6%)650 (1.8%)
Total66,276 (100.0%)36,645 (100.0%)

Physical Housing Characteristics in Buncombe County

Housing Structures in Buncombe County

Housing Structures in Buncombe County
Structure Type# Housing Units% Housing Units
Single Unit, Detached64,75562.9%
Single Unit, Attached3,1743.1%
2 Unit Apartments2,2732.2%
3 or 4 Unit Apartments3,0673.0%
5 to 9 Unit Apartments4,8284.7%
10 or more Apartments10,90510.6%
Mobile Home / Other13,91913.5%
Total102,921100.0%

Housing Structures by Occupancy in Buncombe County

Housing Structures by Occupancy in Buncombe County
Structure TypeOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
Single Unit, Detached54,115 (83.6%)10,640 (16.4%)
Single Unit, Attached2,246 (70.8%)928 (29.2%)
2 Unit Apartments304 (13.4%)1,969 (86.6%)
3 or 4 Unit Apartments412 (13.4%)2,655 (86.6%)
5 to 9 Unit Apartments394 (8.2%)4,434 (91.8%)
10 or more Apartments721 (6.6%)10,184 (93.4%)
Mobile Home / Other8,084 (58.1%)5,835 (41.9%)
Total66,276 (64.4%)36,645 (35.6%)

Housing Structures by Number of Rooms in Buncombe County

Housing Structures by Number of Rooms in Buncombe County
Number of RoomsOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
1 Room258 (0.4%)4,806 (13.1%)
2 or 3 Rooms1,625 (2.5%)6,097 (16.6%)
4 or 5 Rooms19,345 (29.2%)17,420 (47.5%)
6 or 7 Rooms27,773 (41.9%)6,777 (18.5%)
8 or more Rooms17,275 (26.1%)1,545 (4.2%)
Total66,276 (100.0%)36,645 (100.0%)

Housing Structure by Heating Type in Buncombe County

Housing Structure by Heating Type in Buncombe County
Heating TypeOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
Utility Gas15,560 (23.5%)4,285 (11.7%)
Bottled, Tank, or LP Gas4,230 (6.4%)914 (2.5%)
Electricity37,804 (57.0%)28,443 (77.6%)
Fuel Oil or Kerosene5,940 (9.0%)2,108 (5.8%)
Coal or Coke9 (0.0%)0 (0.0%)
All other Fuels2,594 (3.9%)562 (1.5%)
No Fuel Used139 (0.2%)333 (0.9%)
Total66,276 (100.0%)36,645 (100.0%)

Household Vehicle Usage in Buncombe County

Household Vehicle Usage in Buncombe County
Vehicles per HouseholdOwner-occupiedRenter-occupied
No Vehicle1,227 (1.8%)4,338 (11.8%)
1 Vehicle17,641 (26.6%)17,800 (48.6%)
2 Vehicles29,350 (44.3%)11,067 (30.2%)
3 or more Vehicles18,058 (27.3%)3,440 (9.4%)
Total66,276 (100.0%)36,645 (100.0%)

Real Estate & Mortgages in Buncombe County

Real Estate and Mortgage Overview in Buncombe County

CharacteristicWithout MortgageWith Mortgage
Housing Units28,25838,018
Median Property Value$292,800$349,600
Median Household Income$59,098$9,957
Monthly Housing Costs$460$3,637
Real Estate Taxes$1,804$611

Property Value by Mortgage Status in Buncombe County

Property Value by Mortgage Status in Buncombe County
Property ValueWithout MortgageWith Mortgage
Less than $50,0002,220 (7.9%)795 (2.1%)
$50,000 to $99,9992,822 (10.0%)842 (2.2%)
$100,000 to $299,9999,460 (33.5%)13,220 (34.8%)
$300,000 to $499,9997,827 (27.7%)14,147 (37.2%)
$500,000 to $749,9993,049 (10.8%)5,486 (14.4%)
$750,000 to $999,9991,509 (5.3%)1,916 (5.0%)
$1,000,000 or more1,371 (4.9%)1,612 (4.2%)
Total28,258 (100.0%)38,018 (100.0%)

Household Income by Mortgage Status in Buncombe County

Household Income by Mortgage Status in Buncombe County
Household IncomeWithout MortgageWith Mortgage
Less than $10,0001,092 (3.9%)516 (1.4%)
$10,000 to $24,9994,364 (15.4%)546 (1.4%)
$25,000 to $34,9992,419 (8.6%)1,396 (3.7%)
$35,000 to $49,9994,170 (14.8%)1,457 (3.8%)
$50,000 to $74,9994,848 (17.2%)2,651 (7.0%)
$75,000 to $99,9993,264 (11.6%)6,770 (17.8%)
$100,000 to $149,9994,203 (14.9%)6,202 (16.3%)
$150,000 or more3,898 (13.8%)9,039 (23.8%)
Total28,258 (100.0%)38,018 (100.0%)

Property Value to Household Income Ratio in Buncombe County

Property Value to Household Income Ratio in Buncombe County
Value-to-Income RatioWithout MortgageWith Mortgage
Less than 2.0x5,459 (19.3%)99,937 (262.9%)
2.0x to 2.9x3,984 (14.1%)7,404 (19.5%)
3.0x to 3.9x4,121 (14.6%)9,337 (24.6%)
4.0x or more14,455 (51.1%)6,902 (18.1%)
Total28,258 (100.0%)38,018 (100.0%)

Real Estate Taxes by Mortgage Status in Buncombe County

Real Estate Taxes by Mortgage Status in Buncombe County
Property TaxesWithout MortgageWith Mortgage
Less than $8004,796 (17.0%)94 (0.3%)
$800 to $1,4996,401 (22.7%)2,910 (7.6%)
$800 to $1,49916,149 (57.2%)7,903 (20.8%)
Total28,258 (100.0%)38,018 (100.0%)

Health & Disability in Buncombe County

Health Insurance Coverage by Age in Buncombe County

Health Insurance Coverage by Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketWith CoverageWithout Coverage
Under 6 Years14,457 (95.3%)707 (4.7%)
6 to 18 Years34,123 (94.2%)2,118 (5.8%)
19 to 25 Years17,869 (80.3%)4,394 (19.7%)
26 to 34 Years25,341 (78.8%)6,829 (21.2%)
35 to 44 Years29,346 (80.9%)6,913 (19.1%)
45 to 54 Years28,670 (84.5%)5,277 (15.5%)
55 to 64 Years32,393 (89.5%)3,780 (10.4%)
65 to 74 Years32,586 (99.7%)87 (0.3%)
75 Years and older20,710 (100.0%)0 (0.0%)
Total235,495 (88.7%)30,105 (11.3%)

Health Insurance Coverage by Citizenship Status in Buncombe County

Health Insurance Coverage by Citizenship Status in Buncombe County
Citizenship StatusWith CoverageWithout Coverage
Native Born14,457 (95.3%)707 (4.7%)
Foreign Born, Citizen34,123 (94.2%)2,118 (5.8%)
Foreign Born, not a Citizen17,869 (80.3%)4,394 (19.7%)

Health Insurance Coverage by Household Income in Buncombe County

Health Insurance Coverage by Household Income in Buncombe County
Household IncomeWith CoverageWithout Coverage
Under $25,00022,567 (82.1%)4,916 (17.9%)
$25,000 to $49,99941,289 (83.2%)8,340 (16.8%)
$50,000 to $74,99942,251 (86.7%)6,477 (13.3%)
$75,000 to $99,99933,312 (88.9%)4,146 (11.1%)
$100,000 and over93,019 (94.1%)5,870 (5.9%)

Public vs Private Health Insurance Coverage by Age in Buncombe County

Public vs Private Health Insurance Coverage by Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketPublic InsurancePrivate Insurance
Under 65,588 (36.8%)9,319 (61.5%)
6 to 18 Years12,750 (35.2%)22,383 (61.8%)
19 to 25 Years3,389 (15.2%)14,860 (66.7%)
25 to 34 Years3,722 (11.6%)22,329 (69.4%)
35 to 44 Years3,714 (10.2%)26,450 (73.0%)
45 to 54 Years4,703 (13.9%)24,845 (73.2%)
55 to 64 Years7,617 (21.1%)27,072 (74.8%)
65 to 74 Years31,727 (97.1%)16,951 (51.9%)
75 Years and over20,517 (99.1%)10,919 (52.7%)
Total93,727 (35.3%)175,128 (65.9%)

Disability Status by Sex by Age in Buncombe County

Disability Status by Sex by Age in Buncombe County
Age BracketMaleFemale
Under 5 Years88 (1.4%)0 (0.0%)
5 to 17 Years805 (4.4%)796 (4.5%)
18 to 34 Years2,166 (7.7%)2,587 (8.8%)
35 to 64 Years6,369 (12.3%)7,170 (13.2%)
65 to 74 Years3,400 (22.6%)3,023 (17.2%)
75 Years and over4,012 (47.4%)5,742 (46.9%)

Disability Class by Sex by Age in Buncombe County

Disability Class: Hearing Difficulty

Disability in Buncombe County: <span>Hearing Difficulty</span>
Age BracketMaleFemale
Under 5 Years17 (0.3%)0 (0.0%)
5 to 17 Years83 (0.4%)146 (0.8%)
18 to 34 Years126 (0.4%)264 (0.9%)
35 to 64 Years1,131 (2.2%)1,293 (2.4%)
65 to 74 Years1,786 (11.9%)905 (5.1%)
75 Years and over2,443 (28.9%)2,933 (23.9%)

Disability Class: Vision Difficulty

Disability in Buncombe County: <span>Vision Difficulty</span>
Age BracketMaleFemale
Under 5 Years71 (1.1%)0 (0.0%)
5 to 17 Years190 (1.0%)129 (0.7%)
18 to 34 Years494 (1.8%)307 (1.1%)
35 to 64 Years851 (1.6%)1,687 (3.1%)
65 to 74 Years578 (3.8%)699 (4.0%)
75 Years and over848 (10.0%)1,452 (11.9%)

Disability Class: Cognitive Difficulty

Disability in Buncombe County: <span>Cognitive Difficulty</span>
Age BracketMaleFemale
5 to 17 Years553 (3.0%)490 (2.8%)
18 to 34 Years1,607 (5.7%)1,653 (5.7%)
35 to 64 Years3,279 (6.3%)3,146 (5.8%)
65 to 74 Years678 (4.5%)747 (4.2%)
75 Years and over901 (10.6%)1,651 (13.5%)

Disability Class: Ambulatory Difficulty

Disability in Buncombe County: <span>Ambulatory Difficulty</span>
Age BracketMaleFemale
5 to 17 Years78 (0.4%)173 (1.0%)
18 to 34 Years274 (1.0%)577 (2.0%)
35 to 64 Years2,611 (5.0%)3,664 (6.7%)
65 to 74 Years1,670 (11.1%)1,865 (10.6%)
75 Years and over1,928 (22.8%)4,196 (34.3%)

Disability Class: Self-Care Difficulty

Disability in Buncombe County: <span>Self-Care Difficulty</span>
Age BracketMaleFemale
5 to 17 Years156 (0.9%)210 (1.2%)
18 to 34 Years503 (1.8%)389 (1.3%)
35 to 64 Years936 (1.8%)1,680 (3.1%)
65 to 74 Years355 (2.4%)578 (3.3%)
75 Years and over693 (8.2%)1,626 (13.3%)

Technology Access in Buncombe County

Computing Device Access in Buncombe County

Computing Device Access in Buncombe County
Device Type# Households% Households
Desktop or Laptop78,86476.6%
Smartphone87,01384.5%
Tablet62,45560.7%
No Computing Device9,8269.6%
Total102,921100.0%

Internet Access in Buncombe County

Internet Access in Buncombe County
Internet Type# Households% Households
Dial-Up Internet2730.3%
Broadband Home73,64471.6%
Cellular Data Only11,47811.2%
Satellite Internet4,4314.3%
No Internet14,52114.1%
Total102,921100.0%

Buncombe County Summary

Buncombe County is located in the western part of North Carolina, and is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is bordered by Madison County to the north, Haywood County to the west, Henderson County to the east, and McDowell County to the south. The county seat is Asheville, and the county has a population of 253,928 as of the 2020 census.

History

Buncombe County was formed in 1791 from parts of Burke and Rutherford counties. It was named for Edward Buncombe, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who was killed in the Battle of Germantown. The county was initially part of the Cherokee Nation, and the first European settlers arrived in the late 1700s. The county was home to several prominent families, including the Vanderbilts, who built the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.
The county was an important center of the Civil War, with several battles taking place in the area. After the war, the county experienced a period of economic growth, with the development of the railroad and the growth of the timber and mining industries. The county also became a popular tourist destination, with the opening of the Biltmore Estate in 1895.

Geography

Buncombe County covers an area of 651 square miles, and is located in the Appalachian Mountains. The county is home to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through the county and provides access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The county is also home to the Pisgah National Forest, which covers much of the county. The highest point in the county is Mount Mitchell, which has an elevation of 6,684 feet.
The county is divided into two distinct regions: the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, and the Piedmont Plateau in the east. The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the county. The Piedmont Plateau is home to the French Broad River, which runs through the county and is a popular destination for fishing and rafting.

Economy

Buncombe County has a diverse economy, with a mix of manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. The county is home to several major employers, including the Biltmore Estate, the Asheville Regional Airport, and the Mission Health System. The county is also home to several major manufacturing companies, including GE Aviation, Linamar, and New Belgium Brewing.
Tourism is a major industry in the county, with the Biltmore Estate being the most popular tourist destination. The county is also home to several other attractions, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Pisgah National Forest.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Buncombe County had a population of 253,928. The population is racially diverse, with the largest racial group being White (77.3%), followed by Black or African American (14.2%), Hispanic or Latino (5.2%), and Asian (2.2%). The median household income in the county is $50,945, and the median home value is $242,400. The county has a poverty rate of 15.2%, and the unemployment rate is 4.2%.

Common Questions

What is the Total Population of Buncombe County?
Total Population of Buncombe County is 269,449.
What is the Total Male Population of Buncombe County?
Total Male Population of Buncombe County is 130,266.
What is the Total Female Population of Buncombe County?
Total Female Population of Buncombe County is 139,183.
What is the Ratio of Males per 100 Females in Buncombe County?
There are 93.59 Males per 100 Females in Buncombe County.
What is the Ratio of Females per 100 Males in Buncombe County?
There are 106.85 Females per 100 Males in Buncombe County.
What is the Median Population Age in Buncombe County?
Median Population Age in Buncombe County is 42.3 Years.
What is the Average Family Size in Buncombe County
Average Family Size in Buncombe County is 3.2 People.
What is the Average Household Size in Buncombe County
Average Household Size in Buncombe County is 2.5 People.
What is Per Capita Income in Buncombe County?
Per Capita income in Buncombe County is $39,495.
What is the Median Family Income in Buncombe County?
Median Family Income in Buncombe County is $85,099.
What is the Median Household income in Buncombe County?
Median Household Income in Buncombe County is $66,531.
What is Income or Wage Gap in Buncombe County?
Income or Wage Gap in Buncombe County is 16.7%.
Women in Buncombe County earn 83.3 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
What is Family Income Deficit in Buncombe County?
Family Income Deficit in Buncombe County is $8,666.
Families that are below poverty line in Buncombe County earn $8,666 less on average than the poverty threshold level.
What is Inequality or Gini Index in Buncombe County?
Inequality or Gini Index in Buncombe County is 0.48.
How Large is the Labor Force in Buncombe County?
There are 137,028 People in the Labor Forcein in Buncombe County.
What is the Percentage of People in the Labor Force in Buncombe County?
60.5% of People are in the Labor Force in Buncombe County.
What is the Unemployment Rate in Buncombe County?
Unemployment Rate in Buncombe County is 3.6%.