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Cherokee County, NC
3 cities and towns and 3 ZIP codes in Cherokee County, North Carolina.
Population
29,562
Land area
456sq mi
People per sq mi
65
ZIP codes
3
Cities and towns in Cherokee County
Cherokee County at a glance
- Cherokee County is 71% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- The median household income is $53,628, 26% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $232,300 (20% below North Carolina) and median rent is $813 a month.
- Its largest cities are Andrews (1,998), Murphy (1,604) and Marble (472).
Local data for Cherokee County, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Cherokee County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$53,628
Poverty rate
12.4%
Median home value
$232,300
Prices +10.7% in a year
Median rent
$813/mo
Homeownership
83.7%
Bachelor's or higher
24.2%
Median age
53.5
Average commute
25.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (3,532), German Americans (3,248), Scottish Americans (1,109).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
3.3%
Sep 2026, -0.5 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$47,296
7,869 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,135
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$326M
FY 2026, $11,335 per person
PPP loans
$19.9M
473 loans, 3,298 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$113K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Cherokee County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.5%
- Carpooled6.4%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked2.1%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.2%
- Worked from home10.8%
Average one-way commute: 25.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Cherokee County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
280
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
138
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 25°F
59.3 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone8 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Cherokee County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.8%
U.S. 33.3% +1.5 pts
Diabetes
15.2%
U.S. 12.1% +3.1 pts
Smoking
15.6%
U.S. 12.8% +2.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.2%
U.S. 11.1% -1.9 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Cherokee County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Cherokee County, NC?
- Andrews is the largest city or town in Cherokee County, with about 1,998 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Cherokee County?
- Cherokee County includes 3 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28901, 28905, 28906.
- What is the population of Cherokee County, NC?
- About 29,562 people live in Cherokee County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Cherokee County?
- Cherokee County borders Monroe County, TN, Macon County, Union County, GA, Fannin County, GA, Polk County, TN, Clay County, Graham County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023