1st Advantage MortgageCherokee County households have a median income of $53,628 and median rent of $813 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
- Cherokee County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Cherokee County
- Housing costs in Cherokee County
- Work, industries and travel time in Cherokee County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Cherokee County
- Room for a loan payment in Cherokee County
- More Cherokee County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Cherokee County
- Lender oversight for Cherokee County
- Steps before you apply in Cherokee County
- More guides for Cherokee County
- Frequently asked questions
Cherokee County at a glance
Roughly 29,562 residents live in Cherokee County, North Carolina, 72nd by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. It covers 456 square miles of land, or about 65 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Cherokee County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Andrews, with about 1,998 residents, or 7% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Cherokee County
Cherokee County households have a median income of $53,628 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 75th of 100 in North Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Cherokee County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.3% | +6.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.9% | +7.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.6% | -6.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -7.2 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 12.4%, 1 point lower than the state's 13.0%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.419 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Cherokee County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Cherokee County
A typical Cherokee County rental runs $813 a month including utilities, which is 34% below North Carolina. 43% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. With a median value of $232,300, a typical Cherokee County house costs 4.3 times what the median household earns in a year. 84% of Cherokee County households own their home and 16% rent.
| Cost | Cherokee County | North Carolina figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $813/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $232,300 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 84% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 28% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Cherokee County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Work, industries and travel time in Cherokee County
The biggest employer of Cherokee County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by retail trade (17%). Compared with North Carolina, the county leans toward retail trade (17% against 11%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.1% in Cherokee County. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Where residents work | Cherokee County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 17.3% | +6.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.7% | +3.3 pts |
| Construction | 10.5% | +3.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -5.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Cherokee County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 25 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Cherokee County; Union County is highest at $66,176 and Graham County lowest at $49,684. Some neighbors are in Georgia and Tennessee. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Cherokee County resident follows North Carolina rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | - | $53,628 | $813/mo | 84% |
| Clay County, NC | 18 mi | $56,971 | $804/mo | 81% |
| Graham County, NC | 20 mi | $49,684 | $676/mo | 81% |
| Union County, GA | 21 mi | $66,176 | $808/mo | 84% |
| Fannin County, GA | 24 mi | $57,073 | $900/mo | 79% |
| Monroe County, TN | 24 mi | $56,895 | $714/mo | 72% |
| Towns County, GA | 25 mi | $59,135 | $808/mo | 82% |
The communities that make up Cherokee County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Cherokee County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 4,074 people, so roughly 86% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Cherokee County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrews | town | 1,998 | $37,061 | $712 | 14 mi |
| Murphy | town | 1,604 | $37,263 | $422 | 4 mi |
| Marble | CDP | 472 | $71,836 | $946 | 8 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Room for a loan payment in Cherokee County
Here is the Cherokee County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $4,469 a month: gross income for a household at the Cherokee County median
- Less median rent of $813, which is 18% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $796 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Cherokee County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
More Cherokee County figures
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Cherokee County | North Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.5 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.2% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.8% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.8% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Local borrowing considerations for Cherokee County
Where the Cherokee County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 19% of Cherokee County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 54, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
Lender oversight for Cherokee County
Cherokee County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The North Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Cherokee County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Cherokee County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for North Carolina borrowers.
- Ask a Cherokee County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Cherokee County
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cherokee County a high-income county?
Its $53,628 median ranks 75th of 100 North Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Cherokee County rent compare with North Carolina?
$813 locally versus $1,228 for the state, 34% below.
What are the biggest places in Cherokee County?
By population: Andrews, Murphy, Marble. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Cherokee County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Cherokee County residents?
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks licenses consumer lenders in North Carolina; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.