Market insights · North Carolina
Watauga County, NC: growth, migration and housing
Watauga County has 54,786 residents, up 0.6% since 2020 (-0.3% in the last year). In 2022–2023, 1,678 households moved in and 1,911 moved out (-233 net), bringing in a net $17.7M of income. Median household income is $51,693, the median home $358,900 and median rent $1,127 a month.
In North Carolina: 83rd of 100 counties for 5-year population growth · 99th of 100 counties for net in-migration (per resident) · 80th of 100 counties for median household income · 12th of 100 counties for median home value.
Where new residents came from
Top counties by households (tax returns) moving to Watauga County, 2022–2023 (IRS).
| From | Households (tax returns) | Their income (AGI) |
|---|---|---|
| Wake County, NC | 109 | $7.1M |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 97 | $10.5M |
| Ashe County, NC | 77 | $4.5M |
| Avery County, NC | 69 | $3.7M |
| Forsyth County, NC | 41 | $2.9M |
| Buncombe County, NC | 40 | $1.5M |
| Catawba County, NC | 37 | $1.9M |
| Guilford County, NC | 34 | $2.0M |
Where leavers went
Top counties by households leaving Watauga County, 2022–2023 (IRS).
| To | Households (tax returns) | Their income (AGI) |
|---|---|---|
| Ashe County, NC | 121 | $7.0M |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 117 | $6.0M |
| Wake County, NC | 108 | $4.8M |
| Buncombe County, NC | 76 | $3.3M |
| Avery County, NC | 66 | $3.3M |
| Caldwell County, NC | 65 | $4.0M |
| Guilford County, NC | 49 | $1.7M |
| Forsyth County, NC | 45 | $2.6M |
BizyFi in Watauga County
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates (vintage 2025), American Community Survey 5-year (2024), and IRS Statistics of Income county-to-county migration data (2022–2023). Migration counts are tax returns (roughly households) moving between U.S. counties; the IRS suppresses very small flows. Growth rates, per-1,000 figures, rent share and state ranks are BizyFi calculations. Data updated 2026-10-17. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.