Demographics
A Rich Blend of Cultures
Western North Carolina has a rich cultural heritage. For 10,000 years, the Cherokees have lived in the Land of the Blue Smoke, creating shelter, food, medicine, tools, clothing, games and weapons from the diverse environment of the southern Appalachians. Today the region is home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who continue to preserve many facets of traditional Cherokee culture.
Beginning in the eighteenth century, the mountains received waves of European settlers—primarily Scots-Irish, but also German, English, and French. The relative isolation of mountain life helped the settlers nourish and preserve many traditions, especially music and handmade crafts.
The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management estimates that the population of WNC is approximately 1.2 million people, approximately 20% greater than the population in the region a decade ago. Much of this increase has been the result of migration from other parts of the country to the mountain region.
The Hispanic population of the region has grown 400% since 1990. In a number of counties in the mountain region, the Hispanic population has surpassed the size of the African-American population.
Western North Carolina is seeing an influx of retirees to the area that will only expand as the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age. North Carolina ranks third in the nation as a retirement destination, behind Florida and Arizona.
The number of residents who are attending and/or graduating from four year colleges has doubled in Western North Carolina since 1980. Since 1990, the region has also seen a 25% increase in the number of earned high school diplomas. The per capita income in the region is $25,600.
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"As a life-long resident of western North Carolina I can’t imagine a more beautiful or diverse place to live and work."
D. Samuel Neill
Attorney-At-Law & AdvantageWest Board Member
Amanda Baranski
, Corporate Secretary / Program Coordinator
AdvantageWest ED Group
134 Wright Brothers Way
Fletcher, NC 28732
ph. 828-687-7234
fx. 828-687-7552
Email Amanda Baranski
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