Lake Junaluska, NC

North Carolina

Lake Junaluska is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,903. Residents earn $82,115 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

4.6 /5.0
A+ Excellent
2,903 Population 549/sq mi density
$82,115 Median Income $40,521 per capita
$329,600 Home Value $437,052 Zillow
$1,135 Median Rent
55°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.6 / 5.0
Excellent overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$82,115 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$329,600 home value, $1,135/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,115
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $329,600
17% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 51.3%
52% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,135
2% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.2%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.2%
11% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.1%
75% lower than US avg

How Lake Junaluska Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population2,903
Median Age53.2 yrs
Density549/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$82,115
Per Capita$40,521
Unemployment3.2%
Poverty3.1%
County GDP$2,601M
Commute12 min

Housing

A
Home Value$329,600
Rent$1,135
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$437,052

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.4%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp55°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Elevation2,628 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+51.3%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute12 min
Libraries4

Is Lake Junaluska a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Junaluska receives an overall livability score of 4.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Lake Junaluska stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Junaluska is $82,115, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.2%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Junaluska is $329,600, 17% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,135 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Lake Junaluska is a highly educated community — 51.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Junaluska experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 55°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches, including 10.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Lake Junaluska has a population of 2,903 with a density of 549 people per square mile. The median age is 53.2 years, 37% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 4.3% Hispanic.

Population

2,903
Total Population
549
People / sq mi
53.2yrs
Median Age
37% above US avg
5.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.4%
Female 53.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Junaluska vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Junaluska vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Junaluska is $82,115, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Lake Junaluska vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,115
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$40,521
Avg Weekly Wage$889
IRS Avg AGI$64,408

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.2%
11% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.1%
75% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,983
County GDP$2,601M

Business (County)

Restaurants182
Healthcare148
Retail243
Manufacturing40

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,697
6% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.8 min
Work from Home13.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Junaluska is $329,600, 17% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,135 (2% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $437,052.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$329,600
17% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$437,052
Median List Price$680,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$680,000
$/Sq Ft$258
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio100.3%
Price Drops13.3%
Inventory30

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,135
2% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,697
6% above US avg
Effective Rate1.12%
In Lake Junaluska, 32.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 28.4% report depression. 20.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake Junaluska vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.2%
0% below US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma10.8%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.5%
Physical Inactivity20.8%
Depression28.4%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Checkup Rate76.7%
Premature Death10,920/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access72.4%
Healthcare Facilities148

Crime Rates: Lake Junaluska vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Lake Junaluska has an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average55.1°F
2% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
18% above US avg
Snowfall10.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,628 ft (801 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.7 km²)
Population Density549/sq mi
Coordinates35.5302°N, 82.9728°W
County FIPS37087
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 51.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 36.9%

Winner: Republican by 25.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+51.3%
52% above US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density549/sq mi
Total Area5.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities148
Restaurants182
Retail Stores243

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.8 min
Work from Home13.2%

Nearby Cities

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