Asheville, North Carolina Income Statistics
Asheville Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
C
Asheville Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Asheville | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $70,688 | $72,438 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $51,073 | $54,489 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 6.3% | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 12.0% | 11.9% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 11.7% | 10.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Asheville is about 2% lower than in North Carolina. Income has been growing faster in Asheville (6.3%/yr) than in North Carolina (5.2%/yr).
About 12% of adults in Asheville earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the North Carolina average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Asheville, North Carolina grew by 90.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $70,688 in 2024. That's an average of about 6.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Asheville
| Metric | Asheville | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.544 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $54,515 | $63,136 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $57,256 | $52,579 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -5.0% | 16.7% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Asheville, it is 0.544, about the same as North Carolina's 0.547, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Women's income is about 5% more than men's income in Asheville, North Carolina. Over a 35-year career, a 5% wage gap accumulates to roughly $95,935 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Asheville, North Carolina has narrowed from about 15% to -5% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 17% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,387 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Asheville | North Carolina Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 21.2% | 16.3% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 21 | 22 |
Approximately 1,881 people are unemployed in Asheville, North Carolina.
The average commute time in Asheville is 17 minutes, shorter than the 21 minutes in North Carolina.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Asheville, North Carolina has fallen from 8.7% to 4.5% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 10.0% in 2012 and fell as low as 3.1% in 2019.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Asheville, North Carolina has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with North Carolina, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Asheville, North Carolina.
How Wealthy Is Asheville, North Carolina?
Asheville has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $70,688, about 2% lower than the North Carolina average of $72,438.
How fast is household income rising in Asheville, North Carolina?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Asheville, North Carolina rose 91%, from $37,049 to $70,688. Over the same years, income here outpaced North Carolina as a whole: +91% against +61%.
What was the median household income in Asheville in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Asheville, North Carolina was $65,835, up 5% from $62,596 in 2022. The North Carolina median that year was $69,937.
What was the median household income in Asheville in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Asheville, North Carolina was $51,951. By 2024 it had risen 36% to $70,688.
What is the Gini coefficient in Asheville, North Carolina?
The Gini coefficient in Asheville is 0.544. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Asheville, North Carolina?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Asheville, North Carolina has narrowed from about 15% to -5% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 17% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,387 since 2009.
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