Blowing Rock: Demographics & People
Census counts 992 people in Blowing Rock, in 484 households. Population grew 17.0% from 848 (2022) to 992 (2024). Median age 59.7 years. (28.3y older than Watauga County; 23.5y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 8% of the population. Population is 94% White (non-Hispanic) and 2% Black. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.07). 61% of households are family-led. County is gaining 2,366 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 35% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 39% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 84 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 17.0% from 848 (2022) to 992 (2024) — about 28.3× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,167 (extrapolated at 8.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 1,430.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 80,652 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 17.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 848 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 992 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 992 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 1,430 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 59.7y is 20.8 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 8% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 59.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 8.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | retirement community |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 992 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 83 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 124.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 416.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 369 |
| Population under 18 | 83 |
| Median age | 59.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 992 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.07 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 788 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 31 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 7.3% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 2 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 96.2% |
| Black population | 2.1% (vs North Carolina 26.0%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 93.5% (vs North Carolina 51.1%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.2% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 2% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 460 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 510 |
| Share born in this state | 46.4% |
| Share born in another state | 53.6% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 51.4% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.2% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 21 |
| From Africa | 10 |
Households & Family Composition
484 households. Averaging 1.9 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 61% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 223 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 86 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 223 |
| Married couples with children | 39 |
| Average household size | 1.89 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 10.0% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1,564 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 306 |
| Family households | 295 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 61.0% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 484 households (vs North Carolina 25,235) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 13.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 2,366 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 70,183 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 67,817 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 2,366 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 9 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 1.1% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 59 residents live in group quarters (5.9% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 59 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Caldwell |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 25.8% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 22.80 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 29.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37027 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Caldwell County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 3,756 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Caldwell County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 62.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 50.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 36.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 82,178 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 2.40 |
| Family Score · Schools | 1 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 3 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 8.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | limited |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 992, booming, retirement community, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 992 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Caldwell County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade