Living in Boone, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Boone · Census data 2020–2024
Boone has 20,032 residents with a median age of 21.3. The median household income is $30,065 (58% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $411,100, the median rent is $1,111/month.
Boone at a glance
- Population
- 20,032
- Median age
- 21.3State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $30,065State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $411,100State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,111/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 26.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 56.8%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Boone a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 58% lower than the North Carolina median; home values 42% higher than the state median; unemployment of 12%; a poverty rate of 51.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Boone
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Boone the median home value is $411,100, 24% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,111 per month, which is 51% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,641 a month in housing costs.
Boone median household income
The median household income in Boone is $30,065 and the income per person is $17,773. 51.2% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Boone: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,985
- Owner-occupied
- 26.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 73.8%
- Vacant
- 14.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.30
Boone demographics
- Population
- 20,032
- Median age
- 21.3
- Under 18
- 5%
- 65 and older
- 7%
- Households
- 5,975
- Foreign-born
- 4.5%
- Veterans
- 1.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Boone ›
Education in Boone
56.8% of adults 25 and older in Boone have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 30.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Boone
- Unemployment rate
- 12%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 10.1%
- Drive alone
- 63.7%
- Public transit
- 4.2%
- Walk to work
- 13.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.5%
Boone vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boone | 20,032 | $30,065 | $411,100 | $1,111 |
| Blowing Rock | 992 | $120,938 | $705,000 | $1,278 |
| Foscoe | 1,226 | $49,243 | $325,800 | $928 |
| Cove Creek | 1,629 | $52,847 | $295,700 | $1,601 |
| Seven Devils | 425 | $111,667 | $426,900 | $1,583 |
| Banner Elk | 1,473 | $86,382 | $458,100 | $849 |
| Beech Mountain | 987 | $90,855 | $443,500 | $1,137 |
| Sugar Mountain | 539 | $96,094 | $343,800 | $1,500 |
| Linville | 291 | $75,833 | — | — |
More for people moving to Boone
Boone ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Boone: FAQ
What is the median household income in Boone, NC?
The median household income in Boone is $30,065, 58% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Boone?
The median home value in Boone is $411,100, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Boone?
The median gross rent in Boone is $1,111 per month, about 51% of household income.
Is Boone, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 58% lower than the North Carolina median; home values 42% higher than the state median; unemployment of 12%; a poverty rate of 51.2%.
What is the median age in Boone?
The median age in Boone is 21.3 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Boone?
The average commute to work in Boone is 16 minutes; 10.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Boone?
The unemployment rate in Boone is 12% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Boone?
56.8% of adults in Boone have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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