Living in Cherokee, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Cherokee · Census data 2020–2024
Cherokee has 2,059 residents with a median age of 33.3. The median household income is $55,972 (23% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $189,900, the median rent is $1,075/month.
Cherokee at a glance
- Population
- 2,059
- Median age
- 33.3State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $55,972State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $189,900State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,075/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 62.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.5%
- Average commute
- 11 min
Is Cherokee a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 11 minutes; unemployment of 1.6%.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Cherokee
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Cherokee the median home value is $189,900, 43% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,075 per month, which is 22.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,094 a month in housing costs.
Cherokee median household income
The median household income in Cherokee is $55,972 and the income per person is $29,514. 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Cherokee: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,093
- Owner-occupied
- 62.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.4%
- Vacant
- 14.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1988
- Average household size
- 2.17
Cherokee demographics
- Population
- 2,059
- Median age
- 33.3
- Under 18
- 23.2%
- 65 and older
- 10.6%
- Households
- 937
- Foreign-born
- 4.7%
- Veterans
- 14.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Cherokee ›
Education in Cherokee
24.5% of adults 25 and older in Cherokee have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 14.4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Cherokee
- Unemployment rate
- 1.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 11 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 0%
- Drive alone
- 92.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 5.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 78.2%
Cherokee vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | 2,059 | $55,972 | $189,900 | $1,075 |
| Dillsboro | 195 | $58,516 | $270,300 | $1,026 |
| Sylva | 2,646 | $44,086 | $201,200 | $797 |
| Bryson City | 1,902 | $44,167 | $243,400 | $783 |
| Webster | 470 | $61,528 | $375,000 | $733 |
| Maggie Valley | 2,112 | $68,125 | $320,500 | $1,067 |
| Cullowhee | 7,973 | $35,929 | $382,300 | $869 |
| Forest Hills | 329 | $90,313 | — | $1,208 |
| Waynesville | 10,502 | $54,923 | $281,700 | $1,070 |
More for people moving to Cherokee
Cherokee ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Cherokee: FAQ
What is the median household income in Cherokee, NC?
The median household income in Cherokee is $55,972, 23% 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 Cherokee?
The median home value in Cherokee is $189,900, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Cherokee?
The median gross rent in Cherokee is $1,075 per month, about 22.1% of household income.
Is Cherokee, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 11 minutes; unemployment of 1.6%. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 21.3%.
What is the median age in Cherokee?
The median age in Cherokee is 33.3 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Cherokee?
The average commute to work in Cherokee is 11 minutes; 0% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Cherokee?
The unemployment rate in Cherokee is 1.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Cherokee?
24.5% of adults in Cherokee 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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