Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2021 Population

133,599

3.73% 1-year growth

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

43.4

2.25% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

10.2%

3.38% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$60,791

7.88% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$245,700

7.15% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

59,047

5.04% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC had a population of 134k people with a median age of 43.4 and a median household income of $60,791. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew from 128,794 to 133,599, a 3.73% increase and its median household income grew from $56,348 to $60,791, a 7.88% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.9%), White (Hispanic) (3.36%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.73%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (2.58%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.14%).

7.42% of the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97% of the residents in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Montreat College (172 degrees awarded in 2021) and Warren Wilson College (147 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was $245,700, and the homeownership rate was 72.4%.

Most people in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 2 cars per household.

Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC borders Watauga, Ashe, Yancey, Avery & Mitchell Counties PUMA, NC, Burke & McDowell Counties PUMA, NC, Asheville City PUMA, NC, Haywood, Madison, Swain, Graham & Jackson (North) Counties PUMA, NC, and Henderson & Transylvania Counties PUMA, NC.

United States North Carolina

Population & Diversity

Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is home to a population of 134k people, from which 97% are citizens. As of 2021, 5.32% of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents were born outside of the country (7.11k people).

In 2021, there were 25.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (116k people) in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.48k White (Hispanic) and 3.65k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary langauge in households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Spanish (6,496 households), Russian (834 households), and Ukrainian or Other Slavic Languages (301 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

70,074

Women

52.4%

63,582

Men

47.6%

The resident population of United States in 2021 was 133,656 inhabitants, with 47.6% men, and 52.4% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in the United States.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

97%

2021 Citizenship

97.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 97% of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 97.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
116k ± 2.62k
White (Hispanic)
4.48k ± 952
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
3.65k ± 823

6.55%

Hispanic Population

8.75k people

6.55% of the people in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are hispanic (8.75k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
1,761 ± 1,023 people
Honduras
539 ± 569 people
Russia
455 ± 523 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Mexico, the natal country of 1,761 Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents, followed by Honduras with 539 and Russia with 455.

Foreign-Born Population

5.32%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

7.11k people

5.08%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

6.54k people

As of 2021, 5.32% of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC residents (7.11k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 5.08%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
6,496 households (5.11%)
Russian
834 households (0.656%)
Ukrainian or Other Slavic Languages
301 households (0.237%)

7.42% of the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 21.7%. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

In 2021, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Spanish. 5.11% of the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
2,969 ± 381
Gulf War (1990s)
1,136 ± 263
Gulf War (2001-)
1,123 ± 382

Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.61 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC employs 59k people. The largest industries in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Construction (4,630 people), Restaurants & Food Services (4,138 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,904 people), and the highest paying industries are Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities ($218,421), Professional & commercial equipment & supplies merchant wholesalers ($150,301), and Machinery manufacturing, n.e.c. or not specified ($113,378).

Males in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,609. The income inequality in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.424, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

28,396

Women

50.5%

27,818

Men

49.5%

The workforce of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in 2020 was 56,214 people, with 50.5% woman, and 49.5% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

59k

2021 Value

5.04%

1 Year growth

± 5.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew at a rate of 5.04%, from 56.2k employees to 59k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, are Retail salespersons (2,631 people), Cashiers (1,804 people), and Waiters & waitresses (1,525 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

59k

2021 Value

5.04%

1 Year growth

± 5.04%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew at a rate of 5.04%, from 56.2k employees to 59k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, are Construction (4,630 people), Restaurants & Food Services (4,138 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (3,904 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, though some of these residents may live in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,473

Median earning men ± $2,295

$31,443

Median earning women ± $1,287

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($54,439), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($54,368), and Public Administration ($53,312).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($62,660), Public Administration ($52,159), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($50,048).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.881%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 49.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (48.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.881%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC awarded 319 degrees. The student population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 783 male students and 1,033 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are White (242 and 77.6%), followed by Black or African American (25 and 8.01%), Hispanic or Latino (23 and 7.37%), and Two or More Races (9 and 2.88%).

The largest universities in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC by number of degrees awarded are Montreat College (172 and 53.9%) and Warren Wilson College (147 and 46.1%).

The most popular majors in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC are Creative Writing (34 and 10.7%), Mental Health Counseling (31 and 9.72%), and General Business Administration & Management (30 and 9.4%).

The median tuition cost in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC for private four year colleges is $33,356.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 84.6%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 1,816 (43.1% men and 56.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 1,816 students enrolled in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, 43.1% men and 56.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,121 records, of which 58.8% were women and 41.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
28 degrees awarded
Other Psychology
21 degrees awarded
Environmental Studies
28 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was General Business Administration & Management with 28 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Montreat College
172 degrees awarded
Warren Wilson College
147 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Montreat College with 172 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 119 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC, which is 0.595 times less than the 200 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 242 degrees mean that there were 9.68 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 25 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($33,356) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($600) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,025) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2021, 1.74% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.07% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (30.9k), Bachelors Degree (23.7k), and Some college (20.1k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was $245,700 in 2021, which is 1 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $229,300 to $245,700, a 7.15% increase. The homeownership rate in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is 72.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have an average commute time of 22.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is $60,791. In 2021, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC with a value of $128,604, followed by Raleigh City (Northwest) & Morrisville Town PUMA, NC and Indian Trail & Stallings Towns PUMA, NC, with respective values of $120,640 and $112,051.

Housing

Property

$245,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,246

$36,085

Median Property Taxes

±$1,562

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

72.4%

Homeownership

2021

69.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 72.4% of the housing units in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 73%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was Apex & Holly Springs Towns PUMA, NC with a value of $128,604, followed by Raleigh City (Northwest) & Morrisville Town PUMA, NC and Indian Trail & Stallings Towns PUMA, NC, with respective values of $120,640 and $112,051.

The following map shows all of the PUMAs in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,791

Median Household Income

± $2,626

49.9k

Number of Households

± 1,942

In 2021, the median household income of the 49.9k households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew to $60,791 from the previous year's value of $56,348.

The following chart displays the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

0.424

2021 Wage GINI in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

0.423

2020 Wage GINI in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC

In 2021, the income inequality in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was 0.424 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.113% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77.8%)
Worked At Home (12%)
Carpooled (7.54%)

In 2021, 77.8% of workers in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12%) and those who carpooled to work (7.54%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have a shorter commute time (22.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.22% of the workforce in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

10.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC (13.3k out of 131k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

88.2% of the population of Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC has health coverage, with 42% on employee plans, 14% on Medicaid, 15.1% on Medicare, 15.4% on non-group plans, and 1.69% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1399 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.427% decrease from the previous year (1405 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1710 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 363 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

1,399 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,399 patients per year. This represents a 0.427% decrease from the previous year (1,405 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.6% under 18 years, 18.5% between 18 and 34 years, 40.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.7% were men and 53.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.8%

Uninsured

42%

Employer Coverage

14%

Medicaid

15.1%

Medicare

15.4%

Non-Group

1.69%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC grew by 0.656% from 11.8% to 11.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Buncombe County (Northwest) PUMA, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.