Watauga County

Watauga County has 55,123 residents across 7 ZIP codes with their own report. Median household income is $51,693, 29% below the North Carolina figure. The typical owner-occupied home is valued at $358,900, and 48% of adults 25 and over hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

County · ACS 2020–2024 · Updated October 24, 2026

55,123residentsACS 2020–2024

$51,693median household incomeNorth Carolina: $72K

$358,900median home valueowner-occupied homes

91%of households have broadbandhome internet subscription

Watauga County in North CarolinaZIP codes in Watauga County highlighted; the rest of North Carolina in grey

Map of North Carolina with Watauga County highlighted

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates · U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 ZCTA relationship files

All 7 ZIP codes.

Colour shows where each zip code sits among the others in the table, from lowest to highest.

ZIP code	Residents	Household income	Home value	Owners	Bachelor's+	Broadband	Commute
28604	7,869	$76K	$384K	82%	47%	92%	26 min
28605	3,883	$76K	$552K	74%	54%	97%	20 min
28607	35,679	$47K	$379K	50%	54%	91%	19 min
28618	2,208	$60K	$338K	75%	35%	79%	26 min
28679	2,454	$65K	$287K	88%	35%	88%	35 min
28692	4,367	$43K	$325K	75%	42%	95%	27 min
28698	2,320	$54K	$219K	88%	15%	83%	28 min

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

People.

55,123 residents in 21,198 households, next to the North Carolina figure.

12%

under 18

41%

aged 18–34

17%

aged 65 and over

32%

of households are people living alone

42%

of households are married couples

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Homes.

33,355 housing units; the median owner-occupied home is valued at $358,900 (±$18,269).

62%

of households own their home

64%

of homes are detached single-family houses

18%

are in buildings with 5 or more units

are mobile homes

36%

of housing units are vacant

$1,127

median gross rent a month

When homes were built

2020 or later1%

2010–20199%

2000–200918%

1990–199919%

1980–198918%

1970–197915%

1960–196910%

1950–19595%

1940–19493%

1939 or earlier3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Income and work.

Household income and work, in 2024 dollars; median household income ±$3,285.

$51,693

median household income

25.5%

of people live below the poverty line

7.9%

unemployment rate

48%

of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

The poverty rate uses the federal poverty thresholds, which vary with family size. It says nothing on its own about what a neighborhood is like to live in.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Getting around.

How workers aged 16 and over get to work, and how long it takes.

22 min

average commute to work

of commuters travel 45 minutes or more

82%

of workers drive or carpool

take public transportation

walk or bike

10%

work from home

of households have no car

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Internet.

Home internet subscriptions.

91%

of households have a broadband subscription

have no internet access at home

American Community Survey figures are estimates from a rolling sample, averaged over 2020–2024. Each comes with a margin of error, which is wider in places with fewer people.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates