Cullowhee
Census-designated place in Jackson County, North Carolina
Cullowhee is an unincorporated community (census-designated place) in Jackson County, North Carolina, with 7,682 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 2,116 ft (645 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Forest Hills, 1.2 miles SW.
- 7,682residents (2020 Census)
- 2,116 ftelevation · 645 m
- 3.8 sq miland area · 9.9 km²
- 2,019 / sq mipopulation density
- 28779ZIP code
About Cullowhee
Cullowhee () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jackson County, North Carolina, United States. It is located on the Tuckasegee River, and the permanent population was 7,682 at the 2020 census, up from 6,228 at the 2010 census.
The community is the home of Western Carolina University, part of the University of North Carolina System. Developing from a high school and normal school, it has 12,000 students and has become a strong influence in community life. The Jackson County Airport is located just outside the CDP limits.
The present community developed at the site of a historic Cherokee town, which was centered around the earthwork Cullowhee Mound. The name was long thought to mean "Valley of the Lilies". In fact, it is derived from the Cherokee phrase joolth-cullah-wee, which translates as "Judacullah's Place." Judacullah, a giant warrior and hunter who the Cherokee believe lived in the area, is an important figure in their religion and culture.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cullowhee weather: 7-day forecast
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Living in Cullowhee
- Median household income
- $35,929
- Median home value
- $382,300
- Median rent
- $869/mo
- Median age
- 21
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Map of Cullowhee
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Open in Google Maps ›Cullowhee, NC population
Cullowhee had 7,682 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 7,682 |
|---|---|
| Density | 2,019 per sq mi (780 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Cullowhee at a glance
| State | North Carolina (NC) |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County |
| Type | Census-designated place |
| Population | 7,682 (2020) |
| Land area | 3.80 sq mi (9.9 km²) |
| Elevation | 2,116 ft (645 m) |
| Coordinates | 35.3097° N, 83.1815° W |
| ZIP code | 28779 |
| Census code (GEOID) | 3715880 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Cullowhee
- Forest Hills1.2 mi SW
- Webster3.5 mi NW
- Sylva5.0 mi NW
- Dillsboro5.7 mi NW
- Glenville10.2 mi S
- Whittier13.0 mi NW
- Cherokee13.9 mi NW
- Franklin14.4 mi SW
- Cashiers14.7 mi S
- Waynesville15.9 mi NE
- Maggie Valley16.4 mi NE
- Bryson City16.9 mi NW
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Cullowhee
What county is Cullowhee in?
Cullowhee is in Jackson County, North Carolina.
What is the population of Cullowhee, NC?
7,682 people lived in Cullowhee at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Cullowhee, NC?
The ZIP code of Cullowhee is 28779.
What is the elevation of Cullowhee?
2,116 feet (645 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Cullowhee?
Forest Hills (1.2 mi), Webster (3.5 mi), Sylva (5.0 mi), Dillsboro (5.7 mi), Glenville (10.2 mi).
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