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Cullowhee, NC
Census-designated place in Jackson County, North Carolina.
Population
7,973
Land area
3.8sq mi
People per sq mi
2,094
ZIP codes
0
Cullowhee and its ZIP codes
Cullowhee at a glance
- Cullowhee is about 9.5 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 121st among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $35,929, 50% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $382,300 (32% above North Carolina) and median rent is $869 a month.
Local data for Cullowhee, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Cullowhee, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$35,929
Poverty rate
45.8%
Median home value
$382,300
Median rent
$869/mo
Homeownership
10.9%
Bachelor's or higher
38.2%
Median age
21.0
Average commute
19.3 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (677), Mexican Americans (548), Irish Americans (454).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Jackson County. PPP loans are for Cullowhee.
Unemployment rate
3.5%
Aug 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$49,793
19,262 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$49,869
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$278M
FY 2026, $6,445 per person
How people get to work
Cullowhee, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone68.1%
- Carpooled4.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked14.1%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other3.5%
- Worked from home10.1%
Average one-way commute: 19.3 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Cullowhee, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
783
Countywide, mostly winter weather
Flood insurance policies
264
1.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
85° / 26°F
54.2 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Cullowhee, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
27.7%
U.S. 33.3% -5.6 pts
Diabetes
3.6%
U.S. 12.1% -8.5 pts
Smoking
9.1%
U.S. 12.8% -3.7 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
10.6%
U.S. 11.1% -0.5 pts
Cities near Cullowhee
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest HillsVillage | 1.3 mi | 0.5 |
| WebsterTown | 3.4 mi | 1 |
| SylvaTown | 4.9 mi | 3.2 |
| DillsboroTown | 5.9 mi | 0.5 |
| GlenvilleCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 1.3 |
| WhittierCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 0.2 |
| CherokeeCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 12.1 |
| FranklinTown | 15 mi | 4.9 |
| CashiersCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 4.1 |
| WaynesvilleTown | 16 mi | 9 |
| Maggie ValleyTown | 16 mi | 3.5 |
| Bryson CityTown | 17 mi | 2.2 |
| HighlandsTown | 18 mi | 6.2 |
| Lake JunaluskaCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 5.3 |
| ClydeTown | 22 mi | 0.9 |
| RosmanTown | 24 mi | 0.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Cullowhee, NC in?
- Cullowhee is in Jackson County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Cullowhee, NC?
- About 7,973 people live in Cullowhee, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Cullowhee?
- Nearby places include Forest Hills (1.3 mi), Webster (3.4 mi), Sylva (4.9 mi), Dillsboro (5.9 mi), Glenville (10 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023