Watauga County, NC Population by Year

In 2022, the population of Watauga County was 55,089, a 0.23% increase year-by-year from 2021. Previously, in 2021, Watauga County's population was 54,962, an increase of 1.56% compared to a population of 54,117 in 2020.
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Updated Sep 18, 2023

Watauga County, NC population between 2000 and 2022

Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2022, population of Watauga County increased by 12,315. In this period, the peak population was 56,271 in the year 2019. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline.

Year Population Year on Year Change Change in Percent
2000 42,774 - -
2001 43,248 474 1.11%
2002 43,461 213 0.49%
2003 43,464 3 0.01%
2004 43,323 -141 -0.32%
2005 43,665 342 0.79%
2006 44,399 734 1.68%
2007 44,802 403 0.91%
2008 45,627 825 1.84%
2009 45,429 -198 -0.43%
2010 50,972 5,543 12.2%
2011 51,636 664 1.3%
2012 52,079 443 0.86%
2013 52,320 241 0.46%
2014 52,421 101 0.19%
2015 53,129 708 1.35%
2016 54,176 1,047 1.97%
2017 55,250 1,074 1.98%
2018 56,205 955 1.73%
2019 56,271 66 0.12%
2020 54,117 -2,154 -3.83%
2021 54,962 845 1.56%
2022 55,089 127 0.23%
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Watauga County, NC population from 2000 to 2022

From 2000 to 2010, Watauga County's population increased by 8,198 (19.17%), according to Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 9.63%.

From 2010 to 2020, Watauga County's population increased by 3,145 (6.17%), according to Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 7.17%.

The graph shows Watauga County's population from 2000 to 2022, with years on x-axis and population on y-axis
Watauga County's population from 2000 to 2022. The estimated population at the end of 2022 was 55,089. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (Population Estimates Program)

Between the year 2000 and 2022, Watauga County's population peaked in year 2019 at 56,271.

Between the year 2000 and 2022, Watauga County's population was lowest in year 2000 at 42,774.

Watauga County, NC annual population growth rate

Between the years 2000 and 2022, i.e. 22 annual cycles, the population of Watauga County grew year by year for 19 years and declined for 3 years.

From 2000 to 2022, Watauga County had an average annual population growth rate of 1.31% per year. Overall the population grew 28.79% between 2000 and 2022.

The graph shows Watauga County's annual population change from 2000 to 2022, with years on x-axis and population annual growth on y-axis
Watauga County's annual population change from 2000 to 2022. The average annual growth rate from 2000 to 2022 was 1.31% per year. In the last two years, the population grew by 972. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (Population Estimates Program)

From 2009 to 2010, Watauga County's population grew the most with an increase of 5,543 (12.20%).

While from 2019 and 2020, Watauga County's population declined the most with a negative growth of 2,154 (-3.83%).

Things to know

Is Watauga County, NC population increasing or decreasing?

According to the latest data from U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates, Watauga County's population increased by 972 between 2020 and 2022. The increase was 845 (1.56%) between 2020 and 2021; and increase of 127 (0.23%) between 2021 and 2022.

How has the population of Watauga County, NC changed in the last 10 years?

Between 2012 and 2022, population of Watauga County increased by 2,769 (5.29%). The population was highest at 56,271 in the year 2019 and lowest at 52,320 in the year 2013. Overall the average growth rate witnessed for the last 10 years was 0.58%.

References

Datasets

Explore datasets by year of publication.
2023
Watauga County, NC Population Dataset: Yearly Figures, Population Change, and Percent Change Analysis
Last updated September 18, 2023
ACS
Free
Neilsberg
CSV, JSON
2017-2021
CC BY 4.0
About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Watauga County population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Watauga County across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2022, the population of Watauga County was 55,089, a 0.23% increase year-by-year from 2021. Previously, in 2021, Watauga County population was 54,962, an increase of 1.56% compared to a population of 54,117 in 2020. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2022, population of Watauga County increased by 12,315. In this period, the peak population was 56,271 in the year 2019. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Watauga County population by year

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

  • From 2000 to 2022

Variables / Data Columns

  • Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2022)
  • Population: The population for the specific year for the Watauga County is shown in this column.
  • Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Watauga County population for each year compared to the previous year.
  • Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Watauga County Population by Year. You can refer the same here

If you're looking for datasets from another year, please feel free to contact us at research@neilsberg.com and we'll be happy to assist you further.

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Population of places that contain Watauga County

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