Hendersonville
RANK #718 / 996 NAT · #35 / 51 NC · POP 116,469
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Henderson County, North Carolina, is known for its apple orchards and the annual North Carolina Apple Festival, reflecting its status as the state's largest apple producer. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it sits about 30 miles south of Asheville. The county offers a blend of mountain scenery and small-city amenities, with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 5,000 feet. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring waterfalls at places like DuPont State Recreational Forest and Bearwallow Mountain. Commuting within the county is generally manageable, and public transit, known as Apple Country Public Transit, serves Hendersonville, Fletcher, and Laurel Park.
Life in Henderson County attracts a mix of families and retirees, drawn by the natural environment and a sense of community. The Henderson County Public School system is recognized for its academic programs. The local economy is supported by tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. Recent economic developments include investments in advanced manufacturing facilities, contributing to job growth in the region. The county's appeal stems from its combination of outdoor access, community atmosphere, and a diverse economic base.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Rock Bluff Energy Park (Proposed Wind Farm)
Cordelio Power
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Multiple Residential Developments (e.g., Baystone Glen, South Allen Road Apartments)
Various Developers
|
$100M | Under Construction/Planned |
|
BorgWarner Advanced Manufacturing Facility
BorgWarner Inc.
|
$75M | Planned |
|
Henderson County Solar Farm
Community Energy / Henderson County Solar LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 27/100, Henderson County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $65,508 combined with job growth of +3.7% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Henderson County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $291,500 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,032/month on average.
Henderson County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.7% clip. Home values shifted -2.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Henderson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.