City

Cullowhee, NC

1 ZIP code  ·  Jackson County  ·  North Carolina

👥11,427Population
💰$43,539Median HH Income▼ 43% below avg
🎂22.1Median Age
🏠$308,800Median Home Value▲ 11% above avg
🎓40.7%College Grads≈ Avg
📊9.4%Unemployment▲ 93% above avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 52.0% Female 48.0% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 81.4%Hispanic: 8.7%Black: 6.1%Asian: 0.6%Other: 2.3%Race
White81.4%
Hispanic8.7%
Black6.1%
Asian0.6%
Other2.3%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
2%
5–17
6%
18–24
53%
25–44
15%
45–64
13%
65+
5%

Key Indicators

Median Age22.1 yrs
Avg HH Size2.07
Below Poverty21.3% ▲ 113% above avg
College Grads40.7% ≈ Avg
Unemployment9.4% ▲ 93% above avg
No HS Diploma7 (0.2%)
HS Graduate1,064 (26.6%)
Some College648 (16.2%)
Associates657 (16.4%)
Bachelors300 (7.5%)
Graduate Degree1,330 (33.2%)

Education

No HS: 0.2%HS Grad: 26.6%Some College: 16.2%Associates: 16.4%Bachelors: 7.5%Graduate: 33.2%Edu
No HS0.2%
HS Grad26.6%
Some College16.2%
Associates16.4%
Bachelors7.5%
Graduate33.2%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 35.6%Renter: 64.5%Tenure
Owner35.6%
Renter64.5%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
3%
$50k–$100k
3%
$100k–$150k
7%
$150k–$200k
13%
$200k–$300k
24%
$300k–$500k
27%
Over $500k
23%

Financials

Median HH Income$43,539 ▼ 43% below avg
Median Home Value$308,800 ▲ 11% above avg
Home/Income Ratio7.1x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$842/mo
Total Housing Units5,600
Vacant Units1,752

Income Distribution

Under $25k
34%
$25k–$50k
18%
$50k–$75k
18%
$75k–$100k
13%
$100k–$150k
8%
$150k–$200k
4%
Over $200k
4%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
83%
Walked
11%
Work From Home
6%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
40%
15–30 min
25%
30–45 min
22%
Over 45 min
13%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
7%
1960s–1970s
16%
1980s–1990s
16%
2000+
59%
About Cullowhee, NC

Cullowhee is a city in North Carolina, located in Jackson County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 11,427 residents. It is a young city, with a median age of 22.1 years.

Economically, Cullowhee is a working-class community. The median household income of $43,539 is below the national average. Approximately 21.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 9.4%, significantly above the national average.

The real estate market in Cullowhee is a mid-range housing market. Median home values stand at $308,800, which is near the national average. Renters typically pay around $842 per month. At 35.6% owner-occupied, renters make up the majority — common in urban or college-town settings.

The population of Cullowhee is well-educated. 40.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is primarily White (81.37%).

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

ZIP Codes in Cullowhee
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
28723 11,427 $43,539 $308,800 $842 9.4% 40.7% 35.6%