Cherokee
Census-designated place in Swain County, North Carolina
Cherokee is an unincorporated community (census-designated place) in Swain County, North Carolina, with 2,195 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,991 ft (607 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Whittier, 4.7 miles SW.
- 2,195residents (2020 Census)
- 1,991 ftelevation · 607 m
- 12.1 sq miland area · 31.3 km²
- 182 / sq mipopulation density
- 28789ZIP code
About Cherokee
Cherokee (Cherokee: ᏣᎳᎩ, romanized: Tsalagi) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Swain and Jackson counties in Western North Carolina, United States, within the Qualla Boundary land trust. Cherokee is located in the Oconaluftee River Valley around the intersection of U.S. Routes 19 and 441. As of the 2020 census, the CDP had a population of 2,195. It is the capital of the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, one of three recognized Cherokee tribes and the only one in North Carolina.
The community also serves as a tourist destination, with numerous campgrounds, motels, and hotels serving visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with a major entrance to the park lying within the community. The Cherokee Historical Association runs the Oconaluftee Indian Village, a living-history museum, as well as the popular outdoor drama Unto These Hills, and is associated with the Museum of the Cherokee People. Cherokee serves as the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Oconaluftee River flows through the town and is popular for tubing.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Living in Cherokee
- Median household income
- $55,972
- Median home value
- $189,900
- Median rent
- $1,075/mo
- Median age
- 33.3
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Map of Cherokee
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Open in Google Maps ›Cherokee, NC population
Cherokee had 2,195 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 2,195 |
|---|---|
| Density | 182 per sq mi (70 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Cherokee at a glance
| State | North Carolina (NC) |
|---|---|
| County | Swain County |
| Type | Census-designated place |
| Population | 2,195 (2020) |
| Land area | 12.09 sq mi (31.3 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,991 ft (607 m) |
| Coordinates | 35.4859° N, 83.3011° W |
| ZIP code | 28789 |
| Census code (GEOID) | 3712140 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Cherokee
- Whittier4.7 mi SW
- Dillsboro8.5 mi S
- Sylva8.9 mi SE
- Bryson City9.1 mi SW
- Webster10.5 mi SE
- Maggie Valley13.7 mi E
- Cullowhee13.9 mi SE
- Forest Hills14.4 mi SE
- Waynesville17.0 mi E
- Lake Junaluska18.7 mi E
- Pittman Center, TN19.5 mi N
- Gatlinburg, TN19.7 mi NW
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Cherokee
What county is Cherokee in?
Cherokee is in Swain County, North Carolina.
What is the population of Cherokee, NC?
2,195 people lived in Cherokee at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Cherokee, NC?
The ZIP code of Cherokee is 28789.
What is the elevation of Cherokee?
1,991 feet (607 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Cherokee?
Whittier (4.7 mi), Dillsboro (8.5 mi), Sylva (8.9 mi), Bryson City (9.1 mi), Webster (10.5 mi).
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