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Sylva, NC
Town in Jackson County, North Carolina.
Population
2,646
Land area
3.2sq mi
People per sq mi
834
ZIP codes
0
Sylva and its ZIP codes
Sylva at a glance
- Sylva is about 3.8 times as dense as North Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $44,086 a year, 39% less than the North Carolina figure of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $201,200 (30% below North Carolina) and median rent is $797 a month.
Local data for Sylva, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Sylva, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$44,086
Poverty rate
19.4%
Median home value
$201,200
Median rent
$797/mo
Homeownership
45.3%
Bachelor's or higher
30.7%
Median age
31.4
Average commute
23.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (353), Irish Americans (263), Mexican Americans (257).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Jackson County. PPP loans are for Sylva.
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
Sylva, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.5%
- Carpooled21.6%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.3%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.8%
- Worked from home2.9%
Average one-way commute: 23.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Sylva, 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 zone2 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Sylva, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
36.3%
U.S. 33.3% +3.0 pts
Diabetes
12.3%
U.S. 12.1% about the same
Smoking
15.6%
U.S. 12.8% +2.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
12.4%
U.S. 11.1% +1.3 pts
Cities near Sylva
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| WebsterTown | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| DillsboroTown | 1.7 mi | 0.5 |
| CullowheeCensus-designated place | 4.9 mi | 3.8 |
| Forest HillsVillage | 5.6 mi | 0.5 |
| WhittierCensus-designated place | 8.6 mi | 0.2 |
| CherokeeCensus-designated place | 8.9 mi | 12.1 |
| Bryson CityTown | 13 mi | 2.2 |
| Maggie ValleyTown | 14 mi | 3.5 |
| WaynesvilleTown | 14 mi | 9 |
| GlenvilleCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 1.3 |
| FranklinTown | 16 mi | 4.9 |
| Lake JunaluskaCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 5.3 |
| CashiersCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 4.1 |
| ClydeTown | 21 mi | 0.9 |
| HighlandsTown | 22 mi | 6.2 |
| West CantonCensus-designated place | 23 mi | 1.3 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Sylva, NC in?
- Sylva is in Jackson County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Sylva, NC?
- About 2,646 people live in Sylva, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Sylva?
- Nearby places include Webster (1.6 mi), Dillsboro (1.7 mi), Cullowhee (4.9 mi), Forest Hills (5.6 mi), Whittier (8.6 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023