Watauga County, North Carolina

Watauga County: county in North Carolina, United States

About

Watauga County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,079 and a population density of 163 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 56,441 inhabitants. Its county seat is Boone. The county was created 177 years ago in 1848.

Watauga County locator map
Location of Watauga County on North Carolina map.

County Snapshot

Watauga County at a glance

Watauga County currently has 3 quality-checked populated place pages linked on MapSof, making it easier to jump from the county overview into local city pages.

Browse county places

Mapped populated places

3

These counts use a stricter populated-place filter so the main lists stay focused on real city and town pages.

Largest city

Boone

Population 20,003

Quick Facts about Watauga County

Population 56,441 (2020)
Country United States of America
State North Carolina (United States)
Area 312.56 km2
Water as percent of area 0.3%
Land as percent of area 99.7%
Latitude & Longitude 36.2311,-81.6964
Named for Watauga River
Altitude 4,633 feet / 1412 meters
Capital Boone
Establishment January 01, 1849
Time Zone America/New_York
Local time 06:25:38 (19th April 2026)
Density 181 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth 9.5% (2010-2020)
Weather 50℉ Rain Showers Likely 7-days weather
US Post Office Boone image
US Post Office Boone image

Geography

Watauga County is located at 36°13'52"N 81°41'47"W (36.2311000, -81.6963700). It has 5 neighbors: Ashe County, Avery County, Caldwell County, Wilkes County and Johnson County.

Watauga County map

Click "full screen" full screen map icon to open full mode. View satellite images

The largest city of Watauga County is Boone with a population of 20,003. Other cities include, Blowing Rock population 1,316 and Beech Mountain population 320. See all Watauga County cities & populated places.

Watauga County Populated Places

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Watauga County.

City Name Population Title
Boone 20,003 City in Iowa, United States
Blowing Rock 1,316 Town in North Carolina, United States
Beech Mountain 320 Human settlement in Avery County, North Carolina, United States of America

Weather

50°F
Rain Showers Likely
16 to 23 mph NW Sunday

Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Northwest wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Ne...

7-Day Forecast

Official website of Watauga County

Official Website
  • Boone

Demographics

The population of Watauga County increased by 9.5% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 51,079 - census
2011 51,626 1.06% estimation process
2012 52,062 0.84% estimation process
2013 52,295 0.45% estimation process
2014 52,395 0.19% estimation process
2015 53,093 1.31% estimation process
2016 54,140 1.93% estimation process
2017 55,181 1.89% estimation process
2018 56,034 1.52% estimation process
2019 56,177 0.25% estimation process
2020 56,441 0.47% estimation process
Comitatul Watauga, Comte de Watauga, Comté de Watauga, Condado de Watauga, Condado han Watauga, Contea di Watauga, Hrabstwo Watauga, Okrug Vatoga, Quan Watauga, Quận Watauga, Uotoga, Vatoga, Votoga, Watauga, Watauga Kun, Watauga Kūn, Watauga konderria, Watauga megye, mqatʿt watwgha, raatauga ka'unti, shhrstan watag karwlynay shmaly, watauga jun, wo tuo jia xian, Ватога, Вотоґа, Округ Ватога, Уотога, شهرستان واتاگ، کارولینای شمالی, مقاطعة واتوغا, واتاؤگا کاؤنٹی, واٹاگا کاؤنٹی، شمالی کیرولائنا, ৱাটৌগা কাউন্টি, ワタウガ郡, 沃托加縣

People born in Watauga County (5)

People born in Watauga County, including Hillbillies musician Al Hopkins, football coach Graydon Eggers, Appalacian folklorist and singer Jane Hicks Gentry, .

More notable people

  • Mose Triplett (soldier for both the Confederacy and Union in the American Civil War) he was born in 04/02/1846
  • Neil Hartley (American Producer, Additional Crew) he was born in 14/07/1916

North Carolina Other Counties (more counties)

County Name Population Title
Wake County 1,132,271 County in North Carolina, United States
Mecklenburg County 1,128,945 County in North Carolina, United States
Charlotte 900,350 The fourteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Charlotte metropolitan area.
Guilford County 540,521 County in North Carolina, United States of America
Raleigh 474,414 The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is a major center for business, government, and education.
Forsyth County 383,843 County in North Carolina, United States of America
West Raleigh 338,759 A census-designated place located in Wake County, North Carolina.
Cumberland County 336,364 County in Maine, United States
Durham County 327,306 County in North Carolina, United States of America
Greensboro 297,878 The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Greensboro metropolitan area.
Durham 285,897 The third most populous city in North Carolina and the center of the Durham metropolitan area.
Buncombe County 263,477 County in North Carolina, United States
Winston-Salem 248,112 The fifth most populous city in North Carolina.
Union County 244,562 County in North Carolina, United States
New Hanover County 236,613 County in North Carolina, United States
Gaston County 226,568 County in North Carolina, United States