North Carolina
Sylva is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 2,600. Residents earn $41,926 per year, which is 44% below the national average.
Based on current data, Sylva receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Sylva has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
The median household income in Sylva is $41,926, 44% below the national average of $75,149. At 9.0%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 30.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.
The median home value in Sylva is $195,500, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $768 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
The violent crime rate of 499 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,828 per 100,000, 248% above the national average.
Educational attainment is solid, with 34.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 81.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Sylva enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 94.1% |
| 20% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 5.9% |
| 56% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $41,926 |
| 44% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $19,021 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $933 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $66,990 |
| Unemployment | 9.0% |
| 150% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 30.3% |
| 144% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 1,271 |
| County GDP | $2,188M |
| Restaurants | 132 |
| Healthcare | 110 |
| Retail | 179 |
| Manufacturing | 16 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,687 |
| 5% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.89% |
| Commute Time | 24.6 min |
| Work from Home | 2.9% |
| Census Median | $195,500 |
| 31% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $325,379 |
| Census Median Rent | $768 |
| 34% below US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,582 |
| Rent Burden | 32.7% |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 40.3% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,687 |
| 5% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.89% |
| Obesity | 37.1% |
| 16% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 11.4% |
| Heart Disease | 6.3% |
| High Blood Pressure | 34.1% |
| Asthma | 11.0% |
| COPD | 7.8% |
| Stroke | 3.4% |
| Binge Drinking | 16.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 25.9% |
| Depression | 27.3% |
| Mental Distress | 18.8% |
| Physical Distress | 13.7% |
| Insurance Rate | 72.7% |
| Checkup Rate | 77.1% |
| Premature Death | 10,730/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 98.5% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 110 |
| Total Violent | 498.7/100K |
| 31% above US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 38.4/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 460.3/100K |
| Total Property | 6,827.8/100K |
| 248% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 1,112.4/100K |
| Theft | 5,331.8/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 383.6/100K |
| Arson | 38.4/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 9 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 56.1°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 54.2 inches |
| 43% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 4.3 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 2,079 ft (634 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 820/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3754°N, 83.2185°W |
| County FIPS | 37099 |
Winner: Republican by 9.4 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% |
| 2% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 81.3% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 7 | Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K |
| Population Density | 820/sq mi |
| Total Area | 3.2 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 3 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 4 |
| Public Libraries | 2 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 110 |
| Restaurants | 132 |
| Retail Stores | 179 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 9 |
| Avg Commute | 24.6 min |
| Work from Home | 2.9% |