Watauga County, NC population between 2000 and 2023
Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Watauga County increased by 11,974. 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 | 12.20% |
| 2011 | 51,636 | 664 | 1.30% |
| 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 | 54,122 | -2,149 | -3.82% |
| 2021 | 54,968 | 846 | 1.56% |
| 2022 | 55,013 | 45 | 0.08% |
| 2023 | 54,748 | -265 | -0.48% |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Watauga County, NC population from 2000 to 2023
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 3,150 (6.18%), according to Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 7.18% .
After the COVID19 pandemic and, between the year 2020 and 2023, Watauga County's population increased by 626 (1.16%).For the same period, the rate of growth for the United States was 1.02%.
FIGURE 1
Watauga County's population from 2000 to 2023.
The estimated population at the end of 2023 was 54,748.
Between the year 2000 and 2023, Watauga County's population peaked in year 2019 at 56,271.
Between the year 2000 and 2023, Watauga County's population was lowest in year 2000 at 42,774.
Watauga County, NC annual population growth rate
Between the years 2000 and 2023, i.e. 23 annual cycles, the population of Watauga County grew year by year for 19 years and declined for 4 years.
From 2000 to 2023, Watauga County had an average annual population growth rate of 1.22% per year. Overall the population grew 27.99% between 2000 and 2023.
FIGURE 2
Watauga County annual population growth rate
The average annual growth rate from 2000 to 2023 was 1.22% per year.
From 2009 to 2010 Watauga County population grew the most, with an increase of 5,543 people (a 12.20% year-on-year increase)..
From 2019 to 2020 Watauga County population experienced the most significant decrease, with a decline of 2,149 people (a 3.82% year-on-year decline).
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 decreased by 220 between 2021 and 2023. The increase was 45 (increased) between 2021 and 2022; and decrease of 265 (0.48%) between 2022 and 2023.
How has the population of Watauga County, NC changed in the last 10 years?
Between 2013 and 2023, population of Watauga County increased by 2,428 (4.64%). The population was highest at 56,271 in the year 2019 and lowest at 52,421 in the year 2014. Overall the average growth rate witnessed for the last 10 years was 0.47%.
References
- US Census Bureau Population Estimates Population Estimates Program (PEP)