AreaScoop
Asheville, NC

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Asheville, NC

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 37
Population94,369
Foreign Born4.2%
Population Density2,075people per mi²
Median Age40.7 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
B+
Good

Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

126/100

26% above national average

B+

The Real Cost of Living in Asheville, North Carolina

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $21k$39k
Comfortable $80k$117k
Luxury $121k+$188k+
Elite (Top 5%) $157k+$244k+
Affordability Ratio

57%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean84%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
9
Negative
17

Groceries

8 within 10 miles

1.8mi

Gas

20 within 10 miles

0.5mi

Hospital

10 within 20 miles

0.5mi

Airport

CLT — Charlotte Douglas International

94mi

Post Office

USPS — Asheville, NC

1.2mi

Critical Amenities

Golf3Nearest 3 mi
Camping20Nearest 3.8 mi
Marina0 
Winery2Nearest 0.8 mi
Ice Rink0 
Gun Range0Nearest 19.2 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$67k+5.3%
11% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$531k
19% below US avg
College Educated
52.0%
49% above US avg
WFH
18.7%
31% above US avg
Homeownership
50.3%
23% below US avg
Median Home
$411k
46% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
C
Moderate

Crime rates similar to the national median for U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
19.6
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−23.6%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−27.6%
Homicide*
0.06 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Robbery*
0.38 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Aggravated Assault*
2.32 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg

Property Crime

5yr−19.5%
Burglary*
2.73 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Larceny-Theft*
11.86 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft*
1.90 / 1k ResidentsEqual to state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025* = State-level data substituted where local agency has not published figures

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+5Leans Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Asheville, North Carolina
Dem Rep
40%50%60%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Weak9.9% of income
Property Rights
C+
FairIJ Grade C+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
D-
PoorHigh regulation

Energy independence: Importer (15% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
C+
LimitedHerd shares only
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A-
Broadly LegalMedical + Decrim.

Homesteading

Growing Season191 days283 frost-free
Annual Rainfall46.5"
Elevation2,133 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
C+
Exposed

Meaningful friction. Expect exposure to either population pressure, blast zones, or natural disaster risk. Consider buying a retreat property.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
C+
Weak584 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
D-
Poor2,075/sq mi
Fallout Danger
A+
Great0 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Cold Wave, Tornado, Earthquake, Strong Wind
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 511 mi · coast 239 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$82.4M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-22T01:51:23.000Z

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