Watauga County

Watauga County, North Carolina

842 W King St Courthouse
Boone, NC 28607
Phone: (828) 265-8000
Fax: (828) 264-3230
www.wataugacounty.org

On the northeastern border of NC, northeast of Asheville; organized Jan 27, 1849 from Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. Name Origin: For the Watauga River, which runs through the county; from the Indian word probably meaning 'beautiful water.'

Area (sq mi):: 312.73 (land 312.51; water 0.22) Population per square mile: 135.90
Population 2005: 42,472 State rank: 58 Population change: 2000-20005 -0.50%; 1990-2000 15.50% Population 2000: 42,695 (White 95.40%; Black or African American 1.60%; Hispanic or Latino 1.50%; Asian 0.60%; Other 1.40%). Foreign born: 1.90%. Median age: 29.90
Income 2000: per capita $17,258; median household $32,611; Population below poverty level: 17.90% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $22,467-$24,472
Unemployment (2004): 3.50% Unemployment change (from 2000): 1.40% Median travel time to work: 20.40 minutes Working outside county of residence: 13.80% Cities with population over 10,000:
  • Boone County seat (13,286)
    • See other counties in North Carolina.