Watauga County, NC
FIPS: 37189
Median HAM
18.3x
Very High
Jul 2023
Minimum HAM
45.5x
Very High
Jan 2026
HAM Burden
164%
Very High
Dec 2025
Not enough historical data to show a trend chart for this county.
Economic Profile
BEA GDP data (2024)
GDP Per Capita
$59,028
National avg: ~$82,000
Total GDP
$3.2B
Thousands of current $
Population
54,086
2020 Census
Top Industries by GDP
Government and government enterprises20.1%
Health care and social assistance12.1%
Retail trade10.1%
Accommodation and food services7.4%
Professional, scientific, and technical services4.9%
Data Breakdown
Median HAM
Data as of Jul 2023
Median Home Price
$321,500
Census ACS
Gross Median Income
$20,593
Census ACS
Net Median Income
$17,543
Calculated
Median HAM
18.33x
Minimum HAM
Data as of Jan 2026
Median Home Price
$601,875
Redfin
Min Wage (Hourly)
$7.25/hr
State labor data
Net Min Wage Income
$13,237
Calculated
Minimum HAM
45.47x
HAM Burden
Data as of Dec 2025
Monthly Rent
$1,806
Zillow ZORI
Min Wage (Hourly)
$7.25/hr
State labor data
Monthly Net Min Wage
$1,103
Calculated
HAM Burden
163.7%
Methodology: HAM = Home Price / Net Annual Income. Net income assumes single filer, standard deduction, 2,080 hrs/yr for minimum wage. Federal + state tax + FICA deducted. Home price source priority: Zillow ZHVI > Redfin > Census ACS.