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Swannanoa, NC
Census-designated place in Buncombe County, North Carolina. ZIP codes: 28778.
Population
6,901
Land area
6.4sq mi
People per sq mi
1,083
ZIP codes
1
Swannanoa and its ZIP codes
Swannanoa at a glance
- Swannanoa is about 4.9 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 135th among 772 cities and towns in North Carolina.
- The median household income is $69,760, 4% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $287,500 and median rent is $788 a month.
Local data for Swannanoa, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Swannanoa, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$69,760
Poverty rate
16.8%
Median home value
$287,500
Median rent
$788/mo
Homeownership
78.6%
Bachelor's or higher
27.4%
Median age
37.1
Average commute
18.9 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (809), German Americans (657), Irish Americans (311).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Buncombe County. PPP loans are for Swannanoa.
Unemployment rate
2.8%
Sep 2026, -1.0 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$61,596
134,686 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$70,623
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$2.4B
FY 2026, $8,849 per person
How people get to work
Swannanoa, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone80.9%
- Carpooled0.9%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked4.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home13.7%
Average one-way commute: 18.9 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Swannanoa, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
850
Countywide, mostly hail
Flood insurance policies
1,026
1.0% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
84° / 26°F
Health statistics
Share of adults in Swannanoa, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
32.4%
U.S. 33.3% -0.9 pts
Diabetes
10.9%
U.S. 12.1% -1.2 pts
Smoking
14.6%
U.S. 12.8% +1.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
11.0%
U.S. 11.1% about the same
ZIP codes in Swannanoa
1 in or overlapping Swannanoa. Population shown
Cities near Swannanoa
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Black MountainTown | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| FairviewCensus-designated place | 5.4 mi | 6.2 |
| MontreatTown | 5.9 mi | 2.7 |
| AshevilleCity | 8.7 mi | 45.5 |
| GertonCensus-designated place | 8.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Biltmore ForestTown | 9.4 mi | 2.9 |
| Royal PinesCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 2.7 |
| Hoopers CreekCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 6.9 |
| EmmaCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 1.1 |
| WoodfinTown | 12 mi | 9.3 |
| WeavervilleTown | 12 mi | 4 |
| Old FortTown | 12 mi | 1.2 |
| Chimney Rock VillageVillage | 13 mi | 3.4 |
| BarnardsvilleCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 3.5 |
| Avery CreekCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 1.7 |
| FletcherTown | 14 mi | 6.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Swannanoa, NC in?
- Swannanoa is in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
- What ZIP codes are in Swannanoa, NC?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Swannanoa include 28778.
- What is the population of Swannanoa, NC?
- About 6,901 people live in Swannanoa, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Swannanoa?
- Nearby places include Black Mountain (3.2 mi), Fairview (5.4 mi), Montreat (5.9 mi), Asheville (8.7 mi), Gerton (8.7 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023