Ashe County

Ashe County, NC, had a population of approximately 26,577 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Demographically, it is predominantly White (94.9%), with small percentages of Hispanic or Latino (3.9%), African American (0.6%), and other groups. The median age is about 47 years, reflecting an older population. The median household income was around $40,882, with a poverty rate of 16.4%. Educational attainment data show that approximately 82.1% of residents have completed high school, and 18.6% hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

As of 2023, Ashe County, NC, has a median home price of approximately $290,000. The median household income is around $46,000. The average rental price for a two-bedroom apartment is about $900 per month. The homeownership rate stands at roughly 75%. The county has seen a modest annual growth in property values, at around 4%. New construction remains relatively low compared to urban areas, contributing to a mix of historic homes and newer developments.

Ashe County, NC, participates in various elections, including federal, state, and local levels. In the 2020 Presidential Election, 75.6% of votes went to Donald J. Trump (Republican), while 23.4% supported Joseph R. Biden (Democrat). Local elections include positions such as County Commissioners, Sheriff, and School Board members.

In 2022, for the Ashe County Board of Commissioners, candidates included Republicans William Sands, Todd McNeill, and Larry Rhodes, with the Republicans maintaining a majority on the board. For the Sheriff position, Republican B. Phil Howell ran unopposed. School Board elections include non-partisan candidates; in 2022, incumbents Jody Jones and Polly Jones were re-elected.

Voter turnout is typically high, with presidential election years seeing over 70% participation. For the most current candidate information and election results, refer to the Ashe County Board of Elections website.

Ashe County, NC, has a relatively modest educational attainment compared to state and national averages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data:

• High school graduate or higher: 82.9% of Ashe County residents aged 25 and older

  • North Carolina average: 86.3%
  • National average: 88.5%

• Bachelor's degree or higher: 17.2% of Ashe County residents aged 25 and older

  • North Carolina average: 31.3%
  • National average: 33.1%

These figures indicate that while a significant majority of Ashe County residents have at least a high school education, the county lags behind both the state and national averages, particularly in the attainment of bachelor's degrees or higher.

Ashe County, NC, has an estimated labor force of around 11,000 people. The primary industries include manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, and agriculture. Manufacturing employs about 25% of the workforce, higher than the national average of around 8.5% and North Carolina's 17%. Healthcare and social assistance involve approximately 14%, compared to the national average of 14.8%. Retail trade employs roughly 13%, slightly above the national average of 12.9%. Agriculture is significant in Ashe County, engaging about 6% of the workforce, much higher than the national average of 1.3%. These figures highlight Ashe County's reliance on manufacturing and agriculture compared to broader national and state trends.

Ashe County, NC, has a median household income of approximately $41,000 as of recent data. In comparison, the median household income for North Carolina is around $54,000, while the national median is approximately $68,700. This indicates that Ashe County lags behind both the state and national averages in terms of household income.

The lower median income in Ashe County highlights economic disparities when compared to broader benchmarks.

Ashe County, North Carolina, generally has lower crime rates compared to the national average. The county's violent crime rate is approximately 1.5 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is about 12 per 1,000 residents. Below is a statistics table summarizing different types of crimes:

These values offer a snapshot of crime in Ashe County, reflecting its relatively safe environment compared to larger urban areas.

Sources: Local law enforcement data, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program.