1st Advantage MortgageAshe County households have a median income of $56,866 and median rent of $859 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in North Carolina before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Ashe County
- Jobs and commutes in Ashe County
- Paychecks and income spread in Ashe County
- Ashe County housing compared with North Carolina
- Counties near Ashe County
- Towns and communities in Ashe County
- What a median Ashe County budget can carry
- Reading the Ashe County data as a borrower
- Who lives in Ashe County, in numbers
- A Ashe County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Ashe County
Ashe County is home to about 26,950 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 73rd most populous of 100 county-level areas in North Carolina. Packed into 426 square miles, that is close to 63 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Ashe County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Jefferson, with about 1,864 residents, or 7% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Ashe County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Ashe County residents work in education and health care and 15% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 15% locally and 12% for North Carolina. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 79% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Ashe County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.9% | +2.8 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +2.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.7% | -4.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.0% | -1.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Paychecks and income spread in Ashe County
Ashe County households have a median income of $56,866 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 67th of 100 in North Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Ashe County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.8% | +8.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.8% | +2.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -3.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -7.0 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 13.5%, the same as the state's 13.0%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.443 here. For a borrower in Ashe County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Ashe County housing compared with North Carolina
Renters in Ashe County pay a median of $859 a month, 30% below the North Carolina figure of $1,228. By the Census definition, 41% of Ashe County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $243,100, a typical Ashe County house costs 4.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 79% of Ashe County households own their home and 21% rent. Median construction year: 1983.
| Home costs | Ashe County | North Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $859/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $243,100 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 29% | 13% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Counties near Ashe County
Distances run center to center, from Watauga County at 19 miles out to Smyth County at 28. Income ranges from $47,172 in Alleghany County to $53,129 in Johnson County; none of these neighbors top Ashe County's median. The list crosses into Tennessee, Virginia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashe County | - | $56,866 | $859/mo | 79% |
| Watauga County, NC | 19 mi | $51,693 | $1,127/mo | 62% |
| Johnson County, TN | 20 mi | $53,129 | $674/mo | 77% |
| Alleghany County, NC | 21 mi | $47,172 | $675/mo | 74% |
| Grayson County, VA | 21 mi | $47,730 | $765/mo | 80% |
| Wilkes County, NC | 25 mi | $51,721 | $723/mo | 74% |
| Smyth County, VA | 28 mi | $49,883 | $731/mo | 71% |
Towns and communities in Ashe County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Ashe County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 3,465 residents, leaving about 87% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Ashe County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson | town | 1,864 | $40,590 | $748 | 2 mi |
| West Jefferson | town | 1,436 | $46,827 | $484 | 4 mi |
| Lansing | town | 165 | $48,750 | $954 | 4 mi |
What a median Ashe County budget can carry
Here is the Ashe County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,739 before taxes
- Less median rent of $859, which is 18% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $1,706 total minus rent leaves $847
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Ashe County's.
Reading the Ashe County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Ashe County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 49.8, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Consolidating cards in Ashe County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Who lives in Ashe County, in numbers
Degree holders: 26% of adults over 25. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Ashe County | North Carolina | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.8 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.9% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.3% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.8% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.0% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.5% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.8% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Ashe County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.6% |
A Ashe County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Ashe County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Ashe County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A North Carolina license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: North Carolina guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Ashe County household make?
About $56,866 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 21% below the North Carolina median.
How much is rent in Ashe County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $859 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Ashe County?
By population: Jefferson, West Jefferson, Lansing. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Does living in Ashe County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Ashe County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Ashe County?
Start with the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.