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Swain County, NC
2 cities and towns and 2 ZIP codes in Swain County, North Carolina.
Population
14,013
Land area
528sq mi
People per sq mi
27
ZIP codes
2
Cities and towns in Swain County
Swain County at a glance
- Swain County is 88% less dense than North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $52,349 a year, 28% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $207,000 (28% below North Carolina) and median rent is $742 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Cherokee (2,059) and Bryson City (1,902).
Local data for Swain County, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Swain County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$52,349
Poverty rate
19.1%
Median home value
$207,000
Prices +1.9% in a year
Median rent
$742/mo
Homeownership
72.7%
Bachelor's or higher
21.4%
Median age
42.6
Average commute
20.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (1,088), German Americans (493), Mexican Americans (388).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
2.5%
Sep 2026, -0.8 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
PPP loans
$20.6M
421 loans, 4,402 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$48.6K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Swain County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone80.4%
- Carpooled9.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.6%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other2.1%
- Worked from home6.0%
Average one-way commute: 20.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Swain County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
486
Most often winter weather
Flood insurance policies
76
0.9% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 26°F
58.6 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Swain County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
40.7%
U.S. 33.3% +7.4 pts
Diabetes
15.2%
U.S. 12.1% +3.1 pts
Smoking
19.8%
U.S. 12.8% +7.0 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.4%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Swain County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Swain County, NC?
- Cherokee is the largest city or town in Swain County, with about 2,059 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Swain County?
- Swain County includes 2 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28713, 28719.
- What is the population of Swain County, NC?
- About 14,013 people live in Swain County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Swain County?
- Swain County borders Blount County, TN, Sevier County, TN, Haywood County, Jackson County, Macon County, Graham County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023