Workforce
While the basic statistics below demonstrate some of the quantitative measures of Ashe County’s skilled workforce, they fail to capture some of the most important, yet most immeasurable, employee characteristics that are crucial to business success such as hard work, dedication, loyalty, and workplace pride. Decades of manufacturing history and experience have made these vital qualities prevalent in the people who live and work here, and are evident in the production achievements our manufacturers enjoy today. Please take a look at some testimonials from area industry leaders about how important the Ashe County workforce is to their success, and come see first-hand why locating your business here is the smart decision.
Labor Force and Unemployment Information
| Workforce | 12,650 |
| Employed | 12,037 |
| Unemployed | 613 |
| Unemployment Annual Rate | 4.2% |
Source: NC Department of Commerce
Estimated Income and Earning Characteristics
| 2015 (Most recent Census data) | |
| Median Family Income | $47,509 |
| Median Household Income | $40,611 |
| Population with Income Below Poverty Level | 15.9% |
| Median Workers Earnings | $22.254 |
| Per Capita Income | $35,707 |
Educational Attainment by Population 25+
| High School Graduate | 16,854 | 83.3% |
| At Least a Bachelor's Degree | 3,951 | 19.5% |
Source: NC Department of Commerce
