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Jackson County, NC
8 cities and towns and 9 ZIP codes in Jackson County, North Carolina.
Population
43,771
Land area
491sq mi
People per sq mi
89
ZIP codes
9
Cities and towns in Jackson County
Jackson County at a glance
- Jackson County is 60% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- The median household income is $55,815, 23% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $284,700 and median rent is $904 a month.
- Its largest cities are Cullowhee (7,973), Sylva (2,646) and Cashiers (683).
Local data for Jackson County, NC
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes2
- Schools13
- Colleges2
- Libraries2
- Banks10
- Post Offices9
- Parks28
- Grocery Stores16
- Restaurants154
- Affordable Housing4
- Home Health Agencies1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers10
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities1
- Historic Places14
Housing and community stats
Jackson County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$55,815
Poverty rate
18.0%
Median home value
$284,700
Prices +6.2% in a year
Median rent
$904/mo
Homeownership
60.8%
Bachelor's or higher
31.1%
Median age
38.1
Average commute
20.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (4,145), German Americans (4,070), Mexican Americans (2,084).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
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
PPP loans
$47.7M
826 loans, 7,123 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$275K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Jackson County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.1%
- Carpooled7.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked4.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.7%
- Worked from home7.8%
Average one-way commute: 20.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Jackson County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
783
Most often 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 zone14 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Jackson County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.5%
U.S. 33.3% +1.2 pts
Diabetes
12.1%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
14.2%
U.S. 12.8% +1.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
9.8%
U.S. 11.1% -1.3 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Jackson County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Jackson County, NC?
- Cullowhee is the largest city or town in Jackson County, with about 7,973 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Jackson County?
- Jackson County includes 9 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28707, 28717, 28723, 28725, 28736.
- What is the population of Jackson County, NC?
- About 43,771 people live in Jackson County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Jackson County?
- Jackson County borders Oconee County, SC, Haywood County, Macon County, Transylvania County, Swain County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023