City

Cherokee, NC

1 ZIP code  ·  Swain County  ·  North Carolina

👥6,577Population
💰$52,221Median HH Income▼ 32% below avg
🎂38.0Median Age
🏠$144,700Median Home Value▼ 48% below avg
🎓22.4%College Grads▼ 42% below avg
📊11.1%Unemployment▲ 126% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 49.8% Female 50.2% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 11.3%Hispanic: 5.6%Black: 1.3%Asian: 1.8%Other: 3.8%Race
White11.3%
Hispanic5.6%
Black1.3%
Asian1.8%
Other3.8%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
5%
5–17
20%
18–24
12%
25–44
21%
45–64
25%
65+
7%

Key Indicators

Median Age38.0 yrs
Avg HH Size2.34
Below Poverty20.2% ▲ 102% above avg
College Grads22.4% ▼ 42% below avg
Unemployment11.1% ▲ 126% above avg
No HS Diploma38 (1.1%)
HS Graduate1,315 (36.6%)
Some College722 (20.1%)
Associates713 (19.8%)
Bachelors231 (6.4%)
Graduate Degree575 (16%)

Education

No HS: 1.1%HS Grad: 36.6%Some College: 20.1%Associates: 19.8%Bachelors: 6.4%Graduate: 16%Edu
No HS1.1%
HS Grad36.6%
Some College20.1%
Associates19.8%
Bachelors6.4%
Graduate16.0%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 75%Renter: 25%Tenure
Owner75.0%
Renter25.0%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
10%
$50k–$100k
24%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
12%
$200k–$300k
15%
$300k–$500k
16%
Over $500k
6%

Financials

Median HH Income$52,221 ▼ 32% below avg
Median Home Value$144,700 ▼ 48% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.8x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$673/mo
Total Housing Units3,150
Vacant Units401

Income Distribution

Under $25k
25%
$25k–$50k
19%
$50k–$75k
26%
$75k–$100k
13%
$100k–$150k
11%
$150k–$200k
4%
Over $200k
3%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
91%
Public Transit
0%
Walked
3%
Work From Home
6%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
59%
15–30 min
27%
30–45 min
13%
Over 45 min
1%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
0%
1940s–1950s
1%
1960s–1970s
23%
1980s–1990s
23%
2000+
53%
About Cherokee, NC

Cherokee is a city in North Carolina, located in Swain County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 6,577 residents. It is a middle-aged city, with a median age of 38 years.

Economically, Cherokee is a working-class community. The median household income of $52,221 is below the national average. Approximately 20.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 11.1%, more than double the national average.

The real estate market in Cherokee is one of the more affordable housing markets in the country. Median home values stand at $144,700, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $673 per month. Homeownership is high at 75.0%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Cherokee is less-educated. 22.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — below the national average. The community is racially diverse, with White as the largest group at 11.3%.

Cherokee, NC offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within North Carolina.

ZIP Codes in Cherokee
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
28719 6,577 $52,221 $144,700 $673 11.1% 22.4% 75.0%