1st Advantage MortgageIn Jackson County, North Carolina, the typical household earns $55,815 a year and the typical rent is $904. 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
- Who lives in Jackson County
- Renting and owning in Jackson County
- Household income in Jackson County
- Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
- Counties near Jackson County
- Jackson County towns compared
- Jackson County households compared
- Local borrowing considerations for Jackson County
- Debt-to-income at Jackson County's medians
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Jackson County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jackson County
Roughly 43,771 residents live in Jackson County, North Carolina, 59th by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 491 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 89 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 8 Census places inside Jackson County, Cullowhee leads by population with about 7,973; 4 of the 8 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Jackson County
A typical Jackson County rental runs $904 a month including utilities, which is 26% below North Carolina. 42% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $284,700, a typical Jackson County house costs 5.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 61%. The median year built is 1990.
| Jackson County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $904/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $284,700 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 15.2% | 11.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 34% | 13% | n/a |
Household income in Jackson County
The median household income in Jackson County is $55,815; statewide it is $72,388, so Jackson County runs 23% below North Carolina as a whole.
| Band | Jackson County | Compared with North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.3% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.6% | +7.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.4% | -7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -4.7 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. 18.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). For a borrower in Jackson 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.
Jobs and commutes in Jackson County
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by arts, lodging and food service (18%). The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 18% locally and 8% for North Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Jackson County averages 4.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 79% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 3.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Jackson County | Gap to North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.6% | +3.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 17.6% | +9.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.4% | -2.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Other services | 5.4% | +0.5 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Counties near Jackson County
Transylvania County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pickens County, is 36 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Jackson County; Rabun County is highest at $67,493 and Swain County lowest at $52,349. The list crosses into Georgia, South Carolina, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $55,815 | $904/mo | 61% |
| Transylvania County, NC | 18 mi | $66,184 | $967/mo | 75% |
| Macon County, NC | 19 mi | $59,061 | $803/mo | 78% |
| Haywood County, NC | 21 mi | $61,912 | $1,067/mo | 75% |
| Swain County, NC | 27 mi | $52,349 | $742/mo | 73% |
| Rabun County, GA | 32 mi | $67,493 | $1,047/mo | 77% |
| Pickens County, SC | 36 mi | $61,064 | $972/mo | 71% |
Jackson County towns compared
8 Census places fall mainly inside Jackson County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 12,434 residents, leaving about 72% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $73,750 at the median in Cashiers, $35,929 in Cullowhee. Live in one of these Jackson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cullowhee | CDP | 7,973 | $35,929 | $869 | 4 mi |
| Sylva | town | 2,646 | $44,086 | $797 | 8 mi |
| Cashiers | CDP | 683 | $73,750 | $1,341 | 12 mi |
| Webster | town | 470 | $61,528 | $733 | 7 mi |
| Forest Hills | village | 329 | $90,313 | $1,208 | 4 mi |
| Dillsboro | town | 195 | $58,516 | $1,026 | 9 mi |
| Glenville | CDP | 138 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Whittier | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
Jackson County households compared
Degree holders: 31% of adults over 25. About 16% go without health insurance.
| Jackson County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.1% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.8% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.1% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.8% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.0% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Jackson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Jackson County
Where the Jackson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 15% of Jackson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Assistance before credit. With a 18% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Jackson County loan.
Debt-to-income at Jackson County's medians
Here is the Jackson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,651 gross per month ($55,815 / 12)
- Median rent: $904, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 43% cap, $2,000 total minus rent leaves $1,096
If your rent is above $904, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Jackson County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for North Carolina borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Who licenses lenders for Jackson County residents
Consumer lenders serving Jackson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in North Carolina that is the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
Related local guides
The North Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jackson County earn?
The median is $55,815; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Jackson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $904 against $1,228 statewide, and 42% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Jackson County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Cullowhee, Sylva, Cashiers, Webster, Forest Hills and 3 more.
Does living in Jackson 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 Jackson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Jackson 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.