Transylvania County, North Carolina
Income Data
At a Glance
How Transylvania County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Data Story
About Household Income in Transylvania County, North Carolina
Transylvania earns 14% below national median
Transylvania County's median household income of $64,523 trails the national median of $74,755 by $10,232, representing a 14% gap. This positions Transylvania as the highest-earning county among these eight and places it squarely in the middle tier nationally. The county's mountain location and strong tourism economy support above-average household earnings for rural North Carolina.
Transylvania above state average income
At $64,523, Transylvania's median household income exceeds the North Carolina state average of $61,072 by $3,451. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier among North Carolina's 100 counties. Transylvania's position reflects its distinct character as a prosperous mountain tourism destination with higher property values and professional employment.
Highest-earning among all peer counties
Transylvania's $64,523 median income significantly exceeds all comparison counties, leading Stanly ($61,631) by $2,892 and surpassing Stokes ($60,039) by $4,484. The gap grows to $9,000+ versus Surry, Swain, and Rutherford. This clear income leadership reflects Transylvania's mountain tourism appeal and higher concentration of professional and service workers earning above-average wages.
Strong income, but steep home prices
Transylvania's rent-to-income ratio of 16.9% indicates solid housing affordability for renters with meaningful budget flexibility. However, the median home value of $336,100—the highest among these eight counties—creates real homeownership barriers requiring household incomes well above the county median. This reflects Transylvania's attractive mountain real estate market driving property appreciation.
Highest earners position for aggressive wealth building
Transylvania households at the $64,523 median can comfortably allocate 12–15% of income to retirement savings while maintaining robust living standards. The county's higher per-capita income of $38,899—the strongest among all eight counties—suggests multiple earners and professional occupations with pension and 401(k) access. Combined with home equity appreciation in a desirable market, Transylvania households build generational wealth most effectively.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.