At a Glance
Median Income
$56,912
$34,848 per capita
Home Value
$128,800
Zillow: $262,519
Bachelor's Degree+
26.7%
87.4% high school+
Unemployment
13.3%
12.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.6%
25.0% smoking rate
How Watauga Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Watauga's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Watauga a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.6 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Watauga residents earn a median household income of $56,912 , which is 24% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $34,848. The unemployment rate stands at 13.3% (269% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 4,219 business establishments, including 355 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Watauga is $128,800 , 54% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $262,519. The cost of living index is 91.9 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.
Education
26.7% of adults in Watauga hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(21% below the national average).
87.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 48.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.
Data Overview
People
Population631
Median Age44.0 yrs
Density725/mi²
Male / Female53% / 48%
Foreign Born5.5%
Veterans6.3%
Economy
C+
Median Income$56,912
Per Capita$34,848
Unemployment13.3%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$11,880M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,193
Housing
A+
Home Value$128,800
Rent
Ownership93.9%
Zillow$262,519
Housing Units342
Rent Burden14.7%
Health
Obesity39.6%
Diabetes13.7%
Smoking25.0%
Heart Disease7.7%
Premature Death12,612/100K
Climate
Avg Temp56°F
Rain48.0 in/yr
AQI41 (Good)
Elevation1,524 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+26.7%
High School+87.4%
Graduate+15.2%
School Score5.6/10
Community
2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute19 min
Broadband89.9%
Internet Speed305 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries7
Did You Know?
The median home in Watauga was built in 1976.
The nearest airport is Foothills Regional (54 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.476 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
24.9% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 305 Mbps.
There are 355 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 24 fatal vehicle crashes.