The Town Files

Swain County, North Carolina

14,013 people. The median home is worth $207,000 (typical North Carolina town: $228,900) and the median household earns $52,349.

Towns in Swain County

Towns in Swain County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Bryson City1,558$243,400$44,16735.0

People and housing

Swain CountyTypical North Carolina town
Median home value$207,000$228,900
Median rent$742$969
Median household income$52,349$60,458
Median age42.641.1
Bachelor's degree or higher21.4%24.5%
Below the poverty line19.1%14.3%

Jobs and pay

11,309 jobs in 2024, average pay $46,512 a year.

Largest industries in Swain CountyHotels & restaurants875 jobs · $26,317Arts & recreation748 jobs · $19,798Retail646 jobs · $29,145Transportation & warehousing292 jobs · $31,161Construction238 jobs · $53,462Administrative & support136 jobs · $36,776
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Swain County0%4%8%12%16%2000200420082012201620202023 2.9%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 486 storm events in Swain County from 1996 to 2026, with 1 deaths.

Storm events in Swain County by type since 1996Hail20Flood14Drought37High Wind23Heavy Rain5Heavy Snow72Flash Flood17Winter Storm14Winter Weather163Cold/Wind Chill17
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Swain County has been included in 17 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3637: Severe Winter Storm
April 20, 2025FireFM-5580: Sam Davis Road Fire
March 26, 2025FireFM-5577: Alarka Fire
September 28, 2024Tropical StormDR-4827: Tropical Storm Helene
September 26, 2024Tropical StormEM-3617: Hurricane Helene
October 1, 2022HurricaneEM-3586: Hurricane Ian
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).