1st Advantage MortgageIn Swain County, North Carolina, the typical household earns $52,349 a year and the typical rent is $742. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Swain County
- Income in Swain County compared with North Carolina
- Renting and owning in Swain County
- How Swain County residents earn a living
- How Swain County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Swain County
- Swain County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Swain County
- Debt-to-income at Swain County's medians
- Steps before you apply in Swain County
- Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Swain County
Roughly 14,013 residents live in Swain County, North Carolina, 88th by population among the state's 100 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 528 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 27 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Swain County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (1 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Cherokee, with about 2,059 residents, or 15% of the county.
Income in Swain County compared with North Carolina
At $52,349, the typical Swain County household income is 20% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 77 North Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Swain County | Difference from North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.8% | +9.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.7% | -1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.2% | -2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -5.1 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. 19.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). A household earning below the $52,349 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Swain County
Renters in Swain County pay a median of $742 a month, 40% below the North Carolina figure of $1,228. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 38% of renter households here. With a median value of $207,000, a typical Swain County house costs 4.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 73%. Median construction year: 1989.
| Home costs | Swain County | North Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $742/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $207,000 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 30% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Swain 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.
How Swain County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Swain County residents work in education and health care and 22% in arts, lodging and food service. The sharpest difference from the state is in arts, lodging and food service, at 22% locally and 8% for North Carolina. Averaged over the five survey years, 7.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 80% drive to work alone and 8% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Swain County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | +1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 21.7% | +13.4 pts |
| Public administration | 11.4% | +7.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.1% | -4.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
How Swain County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Sevier County at 15 miles out to Macon County at 29. Income ranges from $49,684 in Graham County to $77,365 in Blount County; 5 of these neighbors top Swain County's median. The list crosses into Tennessee, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swain County | - | $52,349 | $742/mo | 73% |
| Sevier County, TN | 15 mi | $62,581 | $1,072/mo | 71% |
| Graham County, NC | 26 mi | $49,684 | $676/mo | 81% |
| Blount County, TN | 27 mi | $77,365 | $1,090/mo | 77% |
| Haywood County, NC | 27 mi | $61,912 | $1,067/mo | 75% |
| Jackson County, NC | 27 mi | $55,815 | $904/mo | 61% |
| Macon County, NC | 29 mi | $59,061 | $803/mo | 78% |
The communities that make up Swain County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 28% of Swain County residents live in one of the 2. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | CDP | 2,059 | $55,972 | $1,075 | 11 mi |
| Bryson City | town | 1,902 | $44,167 | $783 | 10 mi |
Swain County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. About 24% go without health insurance.
| Swain County | North Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.4% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.3% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 23.8% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.1% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Swain County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Swain County
Based on the Swain County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Medical bills. 24% of Swain County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 26% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
Debt-to-income at Swain County's medians
How much room does a median Swain County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $52,349 a year is $4,362 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $742, takes 17% of that
- $785: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,221 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Swain County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Steps before you apply in Swain County
A short checklist for Swain County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in North Carolina.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Checking a lender's license in North Carolina
Swain County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the North Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Swain County a high-income county?
Its $52,349 median ranks 78th of 100 North Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Swain County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $742 a month; 38% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Swain County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Swain County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Swain County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 2 Census places: Cherokee, Bryson City.
Will a Swain County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming North Carolina as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.