The Town Files

Jackson County, North Carolina

43,771 people. The median home is worth $284,700 (typical North Carolina town: $228,900) and the median household earns $55,815.

Towns in Jackson County

Towns in Jackson County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Cullowhee7,682$382,300$35,92921.0
Sylva2,578$201,200$44,08631.4

People and housing

Jackson CountyTypical North Carolina town
Median home value$284,700$228,900
Median rent$904$969
Median household income$55,815$60,458
Median age38.141.1
Bachelor's degree or higher31.1%24.5%
Below the poverty line18.0%14.3%

Jobs and pay

14,477 jobs in 2024, average pay $48,540 a year.

Largest industries in Jackson CountyHotels & restaurants2,503 jobs · $27,570Health care & social assistan…2,070 jobs · $60,934Retail1,814 jobs · $34,307Construction796 jobs · $55,676Arts & recreation773 jobs · $47,997Administrative & support599 jobs · $48,016
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Jackson County0%2%4%6%8%10%12%2000200420082012201620202023 3.6%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 783 storm events in Jackson County from 1996 to 2026, with 1 deaths.

Storm events in Jackson County by type since 1996Hail55Flood20Drought74High Wind65Lightning15Heavy Snow84Flash Flood25Strong Wind12Winter Storm22Winter Weather240
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Jackson County has been included in 19 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3637: Severe Winter Storm
September 28, 2024Tropical StormDR-4827: Tropical Storm Helene
September 26, 2024Tropical StormEM-3617: Hurricane Helene
October 1, 2022HurricaneEM-3586: Hurricane Ian
September 8, 2021HurricaneDR-4617: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred
August 2, 2020HurricaneEM-3534: Hurricane Isaias
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).