1st Advantage MortgageAbout 75% of Transylvania County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $66,184. 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
- Getting oriented in Transylvania County
- The Transylvania County job picture
- How much Transylvania County households make
- Housing costs in Transylvania County
- Transylvania County next to its neighbors
- Places inside Transylvania County
- A Transylvania County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Transylvania County
- People and households in Transylvania County
- Who licenses lenders for Transylvania County residents
- Checklist for Transylvania County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Transylvania County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Transylvania County's population at 33,691; only 67 of North Carolina's 100 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 378 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 89 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Transylvania County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Brevard, with about 7,897 residents, or 23% of the county.
The Transylvania County job picture
The biggest employer of Transylvania County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 22% of workers, followed by retail trade (14%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 11% locally and 7% for North Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Transylvania County averages 2.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 74% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.6% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Transylvania County share | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.8% | +3.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.5% | -1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.7% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.5% | -3.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Transylvania County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
How much Transylvania County households make
Half of Transylvania County households take in less than $66,184 a year and half take in more, 9% below the North Carolina median of $72,388. In the state ranking that is 34th of 100.
| Households earning | Transylvania County | +/- vs North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.6% | +2.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.0% | +2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.2% | -1.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.3% | -3.1 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 13.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.0%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.462 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $66,184 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Transylvania County
Renters in Transylvania County pay a median of $967 a month, 21% below the North Carolina figure of $1,228. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 32% spend half or more. Home values center on $373,600, or 5.6 years of median income. 75% of Transylvania County households own their home and 25% rent. The median year built is 1984.
| Measure | Transylvania County | North Carolina | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $967/mo | $1,228/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $373,600 | $288,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 24% | 13% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Transylvania County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Transylvania County next to its neighbors
Jackson County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Greenville County, is 33 miles off. Greenville County leads the group on income ($76,932), Jackson County trails ($55,815), and Transylvania County out-earns 3 of the six. The list crosses into South Carolina, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transylvania County | - | $66,184 | $967/mo | 75% |
| Jackson County, NC | 18 mi | $55,815 | $904/mo | 61% |
| Henderson County, NC | 21 mi | $68,187 | $1,187/mo | 75% |
| Pickens County, SC | 23 mi | $61,064 | $972/mo | 71% |
| Haywood County, NC | 26 mi | $61,912 | $1,067/mo | 75% |
| Buncombe County, NC | 32 mi | $74,436 | $1,362/mo | 66% |
| Greenville County, SC | 33 mi | $76,932 | $1,262/mo | 69% |
Places inside Transylvania County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Transylvania County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 8,596 residents, leaving about 74% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 2 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevard | city | 7,897 | $54,103 | $979 | 6 mi |
| Rosman | town | 699 | $53,626 | $867 | 4 mi |
A Transylvania County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Transylvania County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,515 before taxes
- Less median rent of $967, which is 18% of it
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,239 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Transylvania County
What the Transylvania County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Hospital bills in Transylvania County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Fixed incomes. Transylvania County's median age is 51.6. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Rent squeeze. 48% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
People and households in Transylvania County
College graduates make up 40% of the adult population. 11.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Transylvania County | North Carolina | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.6 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 40.0% | 35.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.3% | 9.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.5% | 16.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.2% | 13.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.8% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Transylvania County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.2% |
| 60+ min | 5.2% |
Who licenses lenders for Transylvania County residents
The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks is the place to verify any lender's North Carolina license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on North Carolina: North Carolina personal loans.
Checklist for Transylvania County applicants
Steps that save money for Transylvania County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for North Carolina borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the North Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Transylvania County earn?
The median is $66,184; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Transylvania County rent compare with North Carolina?
$967 locally versus $1,228 for the state, 21% below.
I live in a small Transylvania County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Brevard, Rosman.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Transylvania County or elsewhere in North Carolina, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Transylvania County?
Start with the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.