Poverty Data
The data on this page is a snapshot of summer 2024 available data. The website source links will provide more detailed and updated data.
- Buncombe County Administration:
- The poverty rate in Asheville, North Carolina was 13.9% in 2020, which is higher than the state average of 12.9% and increasing.
- In 2023, an informal report to the Board of Commissioners in Buncombe County found that 11.1% of working residents aged 16–64 were in poverty, compared to 19.2% of people with disabilities and 9% of seniors aged 65 and older.
- The largest demographic groups living in poverty are females aged 25–34, followed by females aged 18–24, and then males aged 25–34.
- Dogwood Health Trust found 22% of Western North Carolina children under the age of 6 live in families making less than the federal poverty level. (Citizen Times 2022)
- City of Asheville Homelessness Data (2024):
- Census Bureau Poverty Thresholds: 2023 Poverty level for a family of 4 (2 children under 18 ): $30,900
- Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation: Poverty Guidelines
- Census Bureau Quick Facts: Population, income, housing data
- Selected Economic Indicators (2023): These initiatives include targeted job growth in high wage sectors, support for Pre-K programs and childcare centers, workforce development programs and collaborations, and investments in affordable housing, broadband and poverty by demographic
- Buncombe County Board of Commissioners: (2023) Economic indicators, median wage by job category,
Community and Economic Development Website collects City of Asheville Data:
Overview of Homelessness in Asheville
Who’s homeless in Asheville?
In the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, which is an annual census of people experiencing homelessness, we identified 573 people without housing. Most people (402) were in emergency shelter or transitional housing programs, but 171 were unsheltered, meaning camping, sleeping in cars, or otherwise on the street. Detailed data are available here.
We use the term “people experiencing homelessness” to honor the fact that housing status is just that, and doesn’t diminish anyone’s innate humanity. People experiencing homelessness are people above all else, and are in a current season of crisis. Read more here.
Affordable Housing
Resources & Partnerships: City of Asheville
- HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) Program
- Community Development Division Website on Homelessness
- Community Development Homeless Updates / Resources
- Affordable Housing Resource Guide – English
- Affordable Housing Resource Guide – Spanish
- Homeless Resource Guide
- Homeless Resource Guide for Business
- Center for Disease Control (CDC) Pandemic Guidance for Homeless
- Mike DeSerio / Homeless Outreach Case Manager / 828-768-3435
*Please note it takes an average of $30,000 – $50,000 per-person, per-year for homeless services including medical treatments, incarceration, shelter, etc. $13,000 is the average cost per-person, per-year to provide permanent housing with supportive services.
- 2024 Affordable Housing HUD Area Median Income (AMI) Rents / Appendix 1 – Updated 4/23/2024
- Local Homeownership Calculator
- 2022 Affordable Housing Guide in both English and Spanish for local rental properties and resources
- Homelessness Resources Guide
- 2021 Homeownership Expense Calculator with HUD Area Median Income (AMI) / Appendix 2
- Homeowner Property Tax Grant Program to help qualified homeowners in the City of Asheville, up to $500. Read more here on how to qualify & application.
- For additional information & resources, please see the Community Development News & Updates Tab
Contact Information:
Emily Ball – Homeless Strategy Division Manager
eball@ashevillenc.gov
828.271.6129Department Page