RANK #644 / 996 · POP 62,152 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
Haywood County, North Carolina, distinguishes itself with its mountainous landscape, featuring 18 peaks over 6,000 feet, including the well-known Cold Mountain. Located just 20 minutes west of Asheville, the county offers convenient access to a larger city while maintaining a distinct small-town feel across its communities like Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, Clyde, and Lake Junaluska. The area is a hub for outdoor recreation, bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and encompassing parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. Residents and visitors engage in hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and skiing at Cataloochee Ski Area. All of the county's water, including the Pigeon River, originates within its borders.
Life in Haywood County appeals to those seeking an authentic Appalachian experience with access to natural amenities. The public school system is ranked highly within North Carolina. Commute options include Haywood Public Transit, which offers fixed routes connecting towns and transfers to Buncombe County. The economy is influenced by tourism, with recent developments focusing on affordable housing initiatives for seniors and the workforce. The county has seen an increase in its working population over the past decade.
Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 7.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Haywood County has a Boom Town Index score of 35/100, ranking #644 among 996 U.S. counties. With a median household income of $56,596, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Haywood County is $227,500 with median rent at $954/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2488, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: 0.0%. Home values changed -4.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.61% of Haywood County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.