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Cherokee, NC
Census-designated place in Swain County, North Carolina.
Population
2,059
Land area
12.1sq mi
People per sq mi
170
ZIP codes
0
Cherokee and its ZIP codes
Cherokee at a glance
- The median household income is $55,972, 23% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $189,900 (34% below North Carolina) and median rent is $1,075 a month.
Local data for Cherokee, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Cherokee, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$55,972
Poverty rate
21.3%
Median home value
$189,900
Median rent
$1,075/mo
Homeownership
62.6%
Bachelor's or higher
24.5%
Median age
33.3
Average commute
11.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (94), Irish Americans (37), Puerto Ricans (27).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Swain County. PPP loans are for Cherokee.
Unemployment rate
3.0%
Aug 2026, -0.6 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$50,665
6,871 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$59,665
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$155M
FY 2026, $10,949 per person
How people get to work
Cherokee, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone92.3%
- Carpooled1.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked5.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.9%
- Worked from home0.0%
Average one-way commute: 11.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Cherokee, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
486
Countywide, mostly winter weather
Flood insurance policies
76
0.9% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
83° / 26°F
56.7 inches of rain a year
Health statistics
Share of adults in Cherokee, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
42.6%
U.S. 33.3% +9.3 pts
Diabetes
17.8%
U.S. 12.1% +5.7 pts
Smoking
24.8%
U.S. 12.8% +12.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
14.2%
U.S. 11.1% +3.1 pts
Cities near Cherokee
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| WhittierCensus-designated place | 4.5 mi | 0.2 |
| DillsboroTown | 8.1 mi | 0.5 |
| Bryson CityTown | 8.8 mi | 2.2 |
| SylvaTown | 8.9 mi | 3.2 |
| WebsterTown | 10 mi | 1 |
| CullowheeCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 3.8 |
| Forest HillsVillage | 14 mi | 0.5 |
| Maggie ValleyTown | 14 mi | 3.5 |
| WaynesvilleTown | 17 mi | 9 |
| Lake JunaluskaCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 5.3 |
| Pittman Center, TNTown | 20 mi | 6 |
| Gatlinburg, TNCity | 20 mi | 10.4 |
| FranklinTown | 22 mi | 4.9 |
| Cosby, TNCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 5.5 |
| ClydeTown | 22 mi | 0.9 |
| GlenvilleCensus-designated place | 24 mi | 1.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Cherokee, NC in?
- Cherokee is in Swain County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Cherokee, NC?
- About 2,059 people live in Cherokee, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Cherokee?
- Nearby places include Whittier (4.5 mi), Dillsboro (8.1 mi), Bryson City (8.8 mi), Sylva (8.9 mi), Webster (10 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023