County profile · North Carolina
Cherokee County, NC market data
How Cherokee County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 30,830
- +6.8% since 2020
- Households
- 13,241
- Median household income
- $53,628
- +29.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $232,300
- Jobs located here
- 7,860
- Highest market score
- 73
- Insurance agencies, #389 of 2,272 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Cherokee County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Cherokee 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
Cherokee County has an estimated 30,830 people and 13,241 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of Cherokee County grew 6.8%, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Cherokee County is $53,628, 34% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 29.4%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Cherokee County runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 128, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (51).
Of the business types scored in Cherokee County, insurance agencies (73), landscaping and lawn care companies (64) and funeral homes (61) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For insurance agencies, that ranks #389 of 2,272 scored counties.
Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for gas stations (60% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for gyms and studios (44% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Cherokee County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Cherokee 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 | #389 of 2,272 | 16 | 12.1 | $2.1M | 165 | 11 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 64 | #382 of 1,493 | 7 | 5.3 | $2.4M | 81 | 8 |
| Funeral homes | 61 | #467 of 1,472 | 5 | 3.8 | $497K | 73 | 4 |
| Gas stations | 61 | #725 of 2,358 | 23 | 17.4 | $1.7M | 70 | 10 |
| Grocery stores | 60 | #670 of 2,070 | 6 | 4.5 | $11.9M | 128 | 6 |
| Pizza | 58 | #728 of 2,090 | 9 | 6.8 | $4.6M | 90 | 19 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 54 | #733 of 1,771 | 14 | 10.6 | $1.2M | 71 | 11 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 52 | #1,073 of 2,210 | 24 | 18.1 | $874K | 99 | 4 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 50 | #846 of 1,656 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.6M | 88 | 12 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 49 | #1,109 of 2,087 | 20 | 15.1 | $1M | 83 | 4 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 49 | #1,258 of 2,402 | 29 | 21.9 | $2.5M | 73 | 8 |
| Barbershops | 48 | #750 of 1,356 | 5 | 3.8 | $2M | 106 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 47 | #1,139 of 2,063 | 12 | 9.1 | $3.4M | 92 | 6 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 46 | #1,086 of 1,889 | 11 | 8.3 | $3.7M | 90 | 6 |
| Convenience stores | 46 | #1,272 of 2,261 | 14 | 10.6 | $5.1M | 65 | Under 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 45 | #1,303 of 2,088 | 11 | 8.3 | $608K | 92 | Under 3 |
| Hair salons | 45 | #1,457 of 2,339 | 34 | 25.7 | $293K | 68 | 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 44 | #1,389 of 2,222 | 21 | 15.9 | $2M | 64 | 19 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 44 | #1,549 of 2,385 | 69 | 52.1 | $144K | 68 | 4 |
| Chiropractors | 43 | #941 of 1,490 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.6M | 66 | 3 |
| Tire shops | 41 | #1,013 of 1,530 | 7 | 5.3 | $1.6M | 66 | Under 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 41 | #1,268 of 1,886 | 16 | 12.1 | $784K | 80 | 7 |
| Home repair trades | 41 | #1,437 of 2,057 | 16 | 12.1 | $2M | 83 | 26 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 40 | #1,685 of 2,394 | 86 | 64.9 | $146K | 96 | 32 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 37 | #969 of 1,327 | 6 | 4.5 | $1.9M | 62 | 4 |
| Auto repair shops | 37 | #1,798 of 2,378 | 41 | 31.0 | $281K | 63 | 13 |
| Auto repair and car care | 35 | #1,870 of 2,401 | 69 | 52.1 | $167K | 62 | 19 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 33 | #1,925 of 2,405 | 142 | 107.2 | $289K | 78 | 57 |
| Nail salons | 32 | #1,110 of 1,328 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.2M | 74 | Under 3 |
| Real estate | 31 | #2,053 of 2,229 | 57 | 43.0 | Index only | 71 | 25 |
| Car washes and detailing | 30 | #1,219 of 1,451 | 8 | 6.0 | $1.4M | 57 | 3 |
| Gyms | 30 | #1,501 of 1,792 | 9 | 6.8 | $743K | 57 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | 29 | #1,234 of 1,422 | 9 | 6.8 | $1.4M | 58 | 6 |
| Veterinarians | 29 | #1,237 of 1,485 | 9 | 6.8 | $1.1M | 39 | 5 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 29 | #2,080 of 2,405 | 73 | 55.1 | $562K | 85 | 32 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 28 | #1,232 of 1,461 | 7 | 5.3 | $1.4M | 53 | 6 |
| Pet businesses | 28 | #1,936 of 2,200 | 21 | 15.9 | $453K | 52 | 11 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 27 | #1,122 of 1,302 | 6 | 4.5 | $2.1M | 67 | 4 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 27 | #2,101 of 2,176 | 51 | 38.5 | Index only | 63 | 20 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 26 | #1,567 of 1,707 | 12 | 9.1 | $2.7M | 56 | 18 |
| Spas and skin care | 25 | #1,643 of 1,769 | 21 | 15.9 | $474K | 54 | Under 3 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $1M | 103 | 5 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.0 | $4.2M | 41 | 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $5.6M | 87 | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | Index only | 149 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.3 | $10.7M | 127 | Under 3 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.5 | $3.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.5 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $32.2M | Too few | 8 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $21M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $11.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $9.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.8 | $12.6M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Cherokee 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 | $11.5M | $870 | 91 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $38.3M | $2,894 | 112 |
| Food away from home | $41M | $3,096 | 76 |
| Groceries | $71.6M | $5,405 | 86 |
| Personal care products and services | $10M | $752 | 75 |
| Child care and other personal services | $4.1M | $311 | 54 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $6.7M | $505 | 51 |
| Medical and dental services | $12.6M | $948 | 74 |
| Pets | $9.5M | $719 | 79 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $21M | $1,584 | 77 |
| Vehicle insurance | $33.1M | $2,500 | 128 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $32.2M | $2,433 | 81 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $16.7M | $1,261 | 89 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $174.7M | $13,191 | 79 |
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 Cherokee County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 30,830+6.8% since 2020
- Households
- 13,241
- Median age
- 53.1
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 84%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 456 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 65
- Median household income
- $53,628+29.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $68,893
- Median home value
- $232,300
- Jobs located here
- 7,860
- Daytime population
- 26,424Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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
- Clay County, NC11,610 people
- Graham County, NC8,072 people
- Macon County, NC37,941 people
- Swain County, NC14,013 people
- Jackson County, NC43,771 people
- Haywood County, NC62,662 people
- Transylvania County, NC33,691 people
- Henderson County, NC118,484 people
Questions
How fast is Cherokee County, NC growing?
Population estimates put Cherokee County at 30,830 people in 2025, up 6.8% since 2020, faster than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 13,241 households. Median household income rose 29.4% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Cherokee County, NC spend?
Households in Cherokee County spend about $174.7M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $71.6M on groceries and $41M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Cherokee County spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 128, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (51).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Cherokee County, NC?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Cherokee County are for insurance agencies (73), landscaping and lawn care companies (64) and funeral homes (61). Cherokee County ranks #389 of 2,272 scored counties for insurance agencies.
How does Cherokee County, NC compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Cherokee County is $53,628 a year, 34% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 6.8% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $232,300, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Cherokee County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for gas stations (60% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for gyms and studios (44% 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. 41 of the 56 business types have a score in Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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.