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Watauga County, NC
6 cities and towns and 7 ZIP codes in Watauga County, North Carolina.
Population
55,123
Land area
312sq mi
People per sq mi
176
ZIP codes
7
Cities and towns in Watauga County
Watauga County at a glance
- The median household income is $51,693, 29% below the North Carolina median of $72,388.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $358,900 (24% above North Carolina) and median rent is $1,127 a month.
- Its largest cities are Boone (20,032), Cove Creek (1,629) and Foscoe (1,226).
Local data for Watauga County, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Watauga County, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$51,693
Poverty rate
25.5%
Median home value
$358,900
Prices +3.0% in a year
Median rent
$1,127/mo
Homeownership
62.1%
Bachelor's or higher
48.1%
Median age
31.4
Average commute
21.2 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (8,289), Irish Americans (7,642), Scottish Americans (2,600).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
2.6%
Sep 2026, -0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$51,186
24,591 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$56,442
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$337M
FY 2026, $6,223 per person
PPP loans
$102M
1,714 loans, 17,871 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$645K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Watauga County, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone72.5%
- Carpooled9.9%
- Public transit1.7%
- Walked4.8%
- Bicycle0.1%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.6%
- Worked from home10.4%
Average one-way commute: 21.2 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Watauga County, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
667
Most often high wind
Flood insurance policies
485
2.0% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
79° / 22°F
59.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone15 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Watauga County, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
33.0%
U.S. 33.3% about the same
Diabetes
9.8%
U.S. 12.1% -2.3 pts
Smoking
12.3%
U.S. 12.8% -0.5 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
8.8%
U.S. 11.1% -2.3 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Watauga County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Watauga County, NC?
- Boone is the largest city or town in Watauga County, with about 20,032 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Watauga County?
- Watauga County includes 7 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 28604, 28605, 28607, 28618, 28679.
- What is the population of Watauga County, NC?
- About 55,123 people live in Watauga County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Watauga County?
- Watauga County borders Caldwell County, Wilkes County, Ashe County, Johnson County, TN, Avery County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023