Seven Devils: Demographics & People
Seven Devils is home to 425 people, in 180 households. Population grew 9.0% from 390 (2022) to 425 (2024). Median age 46.8 years. (15.4y older than Watauga County; 10.6y older than North Carolina). Children under 18 are 24% of the population. Population is 96% White (non-Hispanic) and 3% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.07). 78% of households are family-led. County is gaining 327 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 33% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs North Carolina avg 2.5).
- 22% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs North Carolina 42%).
- 130 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs North Carolina 64).
Population & Trend
Population grew 9.0% from 390 (2022) to 425 (2024) — about 15.0× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~463 (extrapolated at 4.5%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 519.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 17,806 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 9.0% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 390 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 425 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 425 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Population Estimate | 519 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 46.8y is 7.9 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 24% — above the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 46.8 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 24.0% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 425 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 102 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 35.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 150.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 138 |
| Population under 18 | 102 |
| Median age | 46.8 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 425 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 | 374 |
|---|---|
| Asian residents | 1 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 13 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 7.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 96.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.1% (vs North Carolina 12.6%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 96.5% (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 (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 1.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 3% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 107 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 300 |
| Share born in this state | 25.2% |
| Share born in another state | 74.8% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 70.6% |
| Foreign-born residents | 1.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 2.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 11 |
| From Europe | 3 |
| From Africa | 2 |
Households & Family Composition
180 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 78% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 119 families, 39% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 91 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 119 |
| Married couples with children | 46 |
| Average household size | 2.22 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 7.9% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 1 |
| Family households | 140 households (vs North Carolina 17,226) |
| Households that are families | 77.8% (vs North Carolina 58.5%) |
| Total households | 180 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. 7.1% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 327 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 7.1% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 14,744 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 14,417 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 327 |
| 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 | 25 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 6.0% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 5 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | NC-05 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 37011 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 37 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 011 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Avery |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 18.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 14.00 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 24.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 37011 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Avery County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 593 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 37011 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Avery County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 76.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 58.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 40.1% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 17,557 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Non-metro |
| Family Score · Score | 6.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 10 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 24.0% |
| Family Score · Rating | good |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 425, booming, established, affluent, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 425 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
| Town Summary · County | Avery County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade