Median Income $56,912

24% lower than US avg

Home Value $128,800

54% lower than US avg

Violent Crime 0/100K

100% lower than US avg

Bachelor's+ 26.7%

21% lower than US avg

Obesity Rate 39.6%

23% higher than US avg

Unemployment 6.6%

83% higher than US avg

Poverty Rate 12.3%

1% lower than US avg

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

People

Population631

Median Age44.0 yrs

Density725/mi²

Male / Female53% / 48%

Largest GroupWhite 85%

Veterans6.3%

Economy

Median Income$56,912

Per Capita$34,848

Unemployment6.6%

Poverty12.3%

County GDP$11,880M

Commute19 min

Housing

A+

Home Value$128,800

RentN/A

OwnershipN/A

Zillow$253,652

Housing Units342

Rent Burden14.7%

Crime

C+

Violent0/100K

Property442/100K

Murder0.0/100K

Assault0/100K

Burglary221/100K

Health

Obesity39.6%

Uninsured14.4%

Smoking25.0%

Depression34.4%

Heart Disease7.7%

Climate

Avg Temp56°F (13°C)

AQI40 (Good)

Rain48.0 in/yr

Sunny Days305/yr

Elevation1,524 ft (465 m)

Education

Bachelor's+26.7%

High School+87.4%

Graduate+15.2%

School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%

Commute19 min

Broadband89.9%

Libraries7

Is Watauga a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watauga receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Watauga offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watauga is $56,912, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Watauga is $128,800, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Watauga is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 442 per 100,000, 77% below the national average.

Education

26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Watauga enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. With 305 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 48.0 inches, including 6.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Watauga has a population of 631 with a density of 725 people per square mile. The median age is 44.0 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (84.8%), with 7% Black.

Population

631

Total Population

725

People / sq mi

44.0yrs

Median Age

13% above US avg

0.9mi²

Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.5%

Female 47.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Watauga vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only	89.1%
	14% above US avg
Spanish	10.9%
	19% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watauga vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watauga is $56,912, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Watauga vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income	$56,912
	24% below US avg
Per Capita Income	$34,848
Avg Weekly Wage	$1,193
IRS Avg AGI	$68,374

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment	6.6%
	83% above US avg
Poverty Rate	12.3%
	1% below US avg
Establishments (County)	4,219
County GDP	$11,880M

Business (County)

Restaurants	355
Healthcare	462
Retail	558
Manufacturing	131

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)	$3,964
	13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate	3.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time	18.9 min
Drive Alone	92.6%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Watauga is $128,800, 54% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $253,652.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median	$128,800
	54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI	$253,652

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs


Rent Burden	14.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio	$882
1 Bedroom	$924
2 Bedrooms	$1,118
3 Bedrooms	$1,445
4 Bedrooms	$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied	93.9%
Housing Units	342
Median Year Built	1976

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)	$3,964
	13% above US avg
Effective Rate	3.08%

In Watauga, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.4% of residents lack health insurance. 25.0% are current smokers. 34.4% report depression. 32.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Watauga vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity	39.6%
	23% above US avg
Diabetes	13.7%
Heart Disease	7.7%
High Blood Pressure	40.0%
Asthma	11.8%
COPD	11.4%
Cancer	7.5%
Stroke	4.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking	25.0%
	79% above US avg
Binge Drinking	15.2%
Physical Inactivity	32.8%
Depression	34.4%
Mental Distress	23.7%
Physical Distress	18.4%
Short Sleep	44.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate	86.1%
Uninsured	14.4%
	67% above US avg
Checkup Rate	74.6%
Dental Visits	50.8%
Premature Death	12,612/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment	6.8/10
Exercise Access	58.9%
Healthcare Facilities	462

Watauga has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 442 per 100,000 (77% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent	0.0/100K
	100% below US avg
Murder	0.0/100K
	100% below US avg
Rape	0.0/100K
Robbery	0.0/100K
Assault	0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property	441.5/100K
	77% below US avg
Burglary	220.8/100K
Theft	220.8/100K
Vehicle Theft	0.0/100K
Arson	0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	24

Safety Score

Safety Grade	C+
Safety Score	2.5 / 5.0

Watauga has an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.0 inches. The area enjoys 305 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.9°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall	48.0 inches
	26% above US avg
Snowfall	6.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Geography

Elevation	1,524 ft (465 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density	725/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3683°N, 82.2920°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County FIPS	47163

It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 26.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (21% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 55-point margin. 89.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77%

D 22%

Winner: Republican by 55 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+	26.7%
	21% below US avg
High School+	87.4%
Graduate Degree+	15.2%
School Test Score	5.08

B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2	Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density	725/sq mi
Total Area	0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access	89.9%
Public Libraries	7
Healthcare Facilities	462
Restaurants	355
Retail Stores	558

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	24

C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute	18.9 min
Drive Alone	92.6%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	5.2%

Watauga, TN

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

People

Economy

Housing

Crime

Health

Climate

Education

Community

Is Watauga a Good Place to Live?

Economy & Jobs

Cost of Living & Housing

Safety & Crime

Education

Climate & Weather

Population

Gender Distribution

Race & Ethnicity

Watauga vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Social Characteristics

Watauga vs U.S. Average

Income: Watauga vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Employment & Poverty

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Ownership & Property

Property Tax

Health Metrics: Watauga vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Temperature

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Geography

2024 Presidential Election (County)

Education

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities