County profile · North Carolina
Avery County, NC market data
How Avery County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 18,110
- +1.1% since 2020
- Households
- 6,791
- Median household income
- $61,428
- +52.3% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $265,800
- Jobs located here
- 6,802
- Highest market score
- 73
- Insurance agencies, #379 of 2,272 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Avery County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Avery County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Avery County has an estimated 18,110 people and 6,791 households. Population estimates show Avery County grew 1.1% from 2020 to 2025, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Avery County is $61,428, 24% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 52.3%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Avery County runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 134, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (64).
Of the business types scored in Avery County, insurance agencies (73), auto repair and car care businesses (71) and auto repair shops (67) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For insurance agencies, that ranks #379 of 2,272 scored counties.
Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for real estate agents and brokers (2.3 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for auto repair and car care businesses (34% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Avery County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Avery County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance agencies | 73 | #379 of 2,272 | 7 | 10.3 | $2.5M | 203 | 5 |
| Auto repair and car care | 71 | #332 of 2,401 | 16 | 23.6 | $396K | 148 | 5 |
| Auto repair shops | 67 | #442 of 2,378 | 6 | 8.8 | $1.1M | 238 | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 62 | #599 of 2,087 | 5 | 7.4 | $2.4M | 188 | 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 58 | #777 of 2,210 | 9 | 13.3 | $1.3M | 150 | 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 49 | #1,084 of 2,088 | 6 | 8.8 | $715K | 108 | Under 3 |
| Home repair trades | 46 | #1,213 of 2,057 | 7 | 10.3 | $2.6M | 108 | 18 |
| Gas stations | 45 | #1,397 of 2,358 | 11 | 16.2 | $1.9M | 79 | 11 |
| Hair salons | 42 | #1,550 of 2,339 | 13 | 19.1 | $435K | 101 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 40 | #1,547 of 2,200 | 13 | 19.1 | $430K | 49 | 3 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 40 | #1,672 of 2,394 | 44 | 64.8 | $163K | 107 | 15 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 39 | #1,538 of 2,222 | 10 | 14.7 | $2.4M | 77 | 13 |
| Grocery stores | 36 | #1,487 of 2,070 | 7 | 10.3 | $5.6M | 60 | 3 |
| Pizza | 34 | #1,672 of 2,090 | 8 | 11.8 | $2.9M | 58 | 13 |
| Convenience stores | 33 | #1,722 of 2,261 | 10 | 14.7 | $3.9M | 50 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 32 | #2,065 of 2,385 | 28 | 41.2 | $202K | 95 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 31 | #1,935 of 2,402 | 23 | 33.9 | $1.7M | 50 | 5 |
| Spas and skin care | 29 | #1,552 of 1,769 | 7 | 10.3 | $808K | 92 | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 24 | #1,688 of 1,771 | 10 | 14.7 | $942K | 56 | 29 |
| Nail salons | 23 | #1,210 of 1,328 | 5 | 7.4 | $1.1M | 68 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 23 | #1,417 of 1,493 | 7 | 10.3 | $1.3M | 46 | 23 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 22 | #1,953 of 2,063 | 16 | 23.6 | $1.5M | 40 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 20 | #2,164 of 2,176 | 47 | 69.2 | Index only | 38 | 25 |
| Real estate | 20 | #2,215 of 2,229 | 53 | 78.0 | Index only | 42 | 39 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 19 | #2,313 of 2,405 | 111 | 163.5 | $212K | 57 | 45 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 19 | #2,333 of 2,405 | 61 | 89.8 | $387K | 58 | 30 |
| Property management | 15 | #898 of 910 | 5 | 7.4 | Index only | 35 | 9 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.9 | $5.9M | 142 | Under 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.9 | $1.8M | 182 | 7 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.9 | $1.8M | 101 | 5 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.9 | $1.4M | 51 | 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $1.9M | 100 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $2.1M | 84 | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $6.1M | 51 | 8 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $1.4M | 110 | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $3.1M | 49 | 6 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $6.1M | 129 | 10 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $2.4M | 76 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.4 | $2.4M | 99 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $1.3M | Too few | 4 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $2.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.9 | $2.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Chiropractors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $7.2M | Too few | 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $1.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $4.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $5.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $18.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $6.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $7.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Avery County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $6.3M | $934 | 97 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $20.7M | $3,044 | 117 |
| Food away from home | $23.6M | $3,473 | 85 |
| Groceries | $39M | $5,744 | 91 |
| Personal care products and services | $5.7M | $833 | 83 |
| Child care and other personal services | $2.6M | $383 | 66 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $4.3M | $632 | 64 |
| Medical and dental services | $7.2M | $1,054 | 82 |
| Pets | $5.6M | $824 | 91 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $11.9M | $1,755 | 85 |
| Vehicle insurance | $17.8M | $2,622 | 134 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $18.4M | $2,707 | 90 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $9.4M | $1,387 | 98 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $97M | $14,287 | 86 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Avery County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 18,110+1.1% since 2020
- Households
- 6,791
- Median age
- 45.8
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 83%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.0
- Land area
- 247 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 71
- Median household income
- $61,428+52.3% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $88,834
- Median home value
- $265,800
- Jobs located here
- 6,802
- Daytime population
- 18,343Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Avery County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Avery County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in North Carolina 8
- Mitchell County, NC14,992 people
- Watauga County, NC55,123 people
- Yancey County, NC18,797 people
- Caldwell County, NC80,536 people
- McDowell County, NC44,817 people
- Burke County, NC87,795 people
- Ashe County, NC26,950 people
- Madison County, NC21,867 people
Questions
How fast is Avery County, NC growing?
Population estimates put Avery County at 18,110 people in 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 6,791 households. Median household income rose 52.3% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Avery County, NC spend?
Households in Avery County spend about $97M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $39M on groceries and $23.6M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Avery County spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 134, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (64).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Avery County, NC?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Avery County are for insurance agencies (73), auto repair and car care businesses (71) and auto repair shops (67). Avery County ranks #379 of 2,272 scored counties for insurance agencies.
How does Avery County, NC compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Avery County is $61,428 a year, 24% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 1.1% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $265,800, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Avery County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for real estate agents and brokers (2.3 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for auto repair and car care businesses (34% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 27 of the 56 business types have a score in Avery County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Avery County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Avery County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Avery County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.