Ashe
North Carolina

What stands out

Ashe County sits close to the middle of the country on most of what we measure: income, home prices, crime, schools, weather. The sections below place each figure against every other American county.

Where you are

You live in Ashe County, North Carolina. 26,759 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +214).

North Carolina has a flat income tax that is being cut each year, 3.99% for 2026 after 4.25% in 2025, with 3.49% scheduled for 2027 if revenue triggers are met, and it does not tax Social Security. Property taxes are moderate and reassessments happen every four to eight years by county. The Research Triangle and Charlotte have driven a decade of in-migration; the mountains and the Outer Banks are second-home markets with hurricane and flood exposure on the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $49,176 a year, lower than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,252. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 51% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

North Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,962 a year.

Home

The median home costs $355K, pricier than 80% of American counties, about 3.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $686 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $1,116 a year on that median home, lower than 82% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 55% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.3 years, longer than 56% of American counties. There are 26 active physicians in the county, about 9.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 12.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.20 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 72% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 46 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 73% of eligible voters turned out. Under North Carolina law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 52°F, highs near 62 and lows near 41, colder than 67% of American counties. About 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 26 out of 100, safer than 74% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 149 Mbps down, slower than 71% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.