Living in Jefferson, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Jefferson · Census data 2020–2024
Jefferson has 1,864 residents with a median age of 41.6. The median household income is $40,590 (44% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $236,000, the median rent is $748/month.
Jefferson at a glance
- Population
- 1,864
- Median age
- 41.6State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $40,590State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $236,000State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $748/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 44.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 11.9%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Jefferson a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 18% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 2.5%.
Cons: Median household income 44% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 22.9%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Jefferson
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Jefferson the median home value is $236,000, 29% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $748 per month, which is 29.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,283 a month in housing costs.
Jefferson median household income
The median household income in Jefferson is $40,590 and the income per person is $22,347. 22.9% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Jefferson: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 881
- Owner-occupied
- 44.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 55.1%
- Vacant
- 11.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1980
- Average household size
- 2.10
Jefferson demographics
- Population
- 1,864
- Median age
- 41.6
- Under 18
- 21.2%
- 65 and older
- 30.2%
- Households
- 779
- Foreign-born
- 6.1%
- Veterans
- 3.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Jefferson ›
Education in Jefferson
11.9% of adults 25 and older in Jefferson have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 4.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Jefferson
- Unemployment rate
- 2.5%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 9.3%
- Drive alone
- 80.1%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 82%
Jefferson vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | 1,864 | $40,590 | $236,000 | $748 |
| West Jefferson | 1,436 | $46,827 | $232,400 | $484 |
| Lansing | 165 | $48,750 | $169,400 | $954 |
| Boone | 20,032 | $30,065 | $411,100 | $1,111 |
| Mountain City | 2,542 | $38,818 | $216,300 | $516 |
| Troutdale | 178 | $35,000 | $109,400 | — |
| Cove Creek | 1,629 | $52,847 | $295,700 | $1,601 |
| Sparta | 1,928 | $42,454 | $209,600 | $563 |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | $227,200 | $695 |
More for people moving to Jefferson
Jefferson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Jefferson: FAQ
What is the median household income in Jefferson, NC?
The median household income in Jefferson is $40,590, 44% 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 Jefferson?
The median home value in Jefferson is $236,000, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Jefferson?
The median gross rent in Jefferson is $748 per month, about 29.5% of household income.
Is Jefferson, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 18% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes; unemployment of 2.5%. Minuses: median household income 44% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 22.9%.
What is the median age in Jefferson?
The median age in Jefferson is 41.6 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Jefferson?
The average commute to work in Jefferson is 20 minutes; 9.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Jefferson?
The unemployment rate in Jefferson is 2.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Jefferson?
11.9% of adults in Jefferson 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.
Last updated: