City

Sylva, NC

1 ZIP code  ·  Jackson County  ·  North Carolina

👥17,845Population
💰$54,407Median HH Income▼ 29% below avg
🎂42.1Median Age
🏠$234,200Median Home Value▼ 16% below avg
🎓43.2%College Grads▲ 12% above avg
📊3.1%Unemployment▼ 38% below avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 48.3% Female 51.7% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 86.9%Hispanic: 4%Black: 0.8%Asian: 1.9%Other: 3.7%Race
White86.9%
Hispanic4.0%
Black0.8%
Asian1.9%
Other3.7%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
4%
5–17
17%
18–24
7%
25–44
26%
45–64
24%
65+
12%

Key Indicators

Median Age42.1 yrs
Avg HH Size2.18
Below Poverty16.0% ▲ 60% above avg
College Grads43.2% ▲ 12% above avg
Unemployment3.1% ▼ 38% below avg
No HS Diploma110 (0.9%)
HS Graduate3,197 (26.8%)
Some College1,608 (13.5%)
Associates1,864 (15.6%)
Bachelors1,775 (14.9%)
Graduate Degree3,383 (28.3%)

Education

No HS: 0.9%HS Grad: 26.8%Some College: 13.5%Associates: 15.6%Bachelors: 14.9%Graduate: 28.3%Edu
No HS0.9%
HS Grad26.8%
Some College13.5%
Associates15.6%
Bachelors14.9%
Graduate28.3%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 66.6%Renter: 33.4%Tenure
Owner66.6%
Renter33.4%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
4%
$50k–$100k
6%
$100k–$150k
10%
$150k–$200k
21%
$200k–$300k
31%
$300k–$500k
23%
Over $500k
6%

Financials

Median HH Income$54,407 ▼ 29% below avg
Median Home Value$234,200 ▼ 16% below avg
Home/Income Ratio4.3x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$803/mo
Total Housing Units9,551
Vacant Units1,472

Income Distribution

Under $25k
23%
$25k–$50k
21%
$50k–$75k
18%
$75k–$100k
17%
$100k–$150k
16%
$150k–$200k
4%
Over $200k
2%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
91%
Walked
3%
Work From Home
6%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
33%
15–30 min
42%
30–45 min
14%
Over 45 min
11%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
3%
1940s–1950s
6%
1960s–1970s
17%
1980s–1990s
17%
2000+
57%
About Sylva, NC

Sylva is a city in North Carolina, located in Jackson County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 17,845 residents. It is a middle-aged city, with a median age of 42.1 years.

Economically, Sylva is a working-class community. The median household income of $54,407 is below the national average. Approximately 16.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, below the national average.

The real estate market in Sylva is an affordable housing market. Median home values stand at $234,200, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $803 per month. Homeownership is high at 66.6%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Sylva is well-educated. 43.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is primarily White (86.93%).

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

ZIP Codes in Sylva
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
28779 17,845 $54,407 $234,200 $803 3.1% 43.2% 66.6%