Cherokee, NC Demographics

A map of Cherokee's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Native American/Other	1,483	1,648	72.0%	75.1%
White	203	206	9.9%	9.4%
Multiracial	172	146	8.4%	6.7%
Asian	98	27	4.8%	1.2%
Hispanic	63	148	3.1%	6.7%
Black	40	20	1.9%	0.9%

Cherokee, North Carolina has an estimated population of 2,059, a decrease from the 2,195 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 72.0% Native American/Other, 9.9% White, 8.4% Multiracial, 4.8% Asian, 3.1% Hispanic, and 1.9% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Cherokee, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Cherokee has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Cherokee, that probability was 41.8% in 2020 and 46.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Cherokee is ranked the 337th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Cherokee was ranked the 307th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Cherokee's White Population

203 residents of Cherokee, or 9.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Cherokee is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Cherokee ranks 761st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cherokee's White population has declined by an estimated 1.5%. White residents' share of Cherokee's population has increased from 9.4% to 9.9%.

Cherokee is more White than neighboring Whittier (0% White). Cherokee is less White than neighboring Dillsboro (67.7% White), Sylva (69.3% White), Bryson City (70.8% White), and Webster (77.9% White).

Cherokee's Black Population

40 residents of Cherokee, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Cherokee is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Cherokee ranks 685th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cherokee's Black population has grown by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Cherokee's population has increased from 0.9% to 1.9%.

Cherokee is more Black than neighboring Whittier (0% Black), Bryson City (1.8% Black), and Webster (0% Black). Cherokee is less Black than neighboring Dillsboro (7.2% Black), and Sylva (3.6% Black).

Cherokee's Asian Population

98 residents of Cherokee, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Cherokee is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Cherokee ranks 207th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cherokee's Asian population has grown by an estimated 263.0%. Asian residents' share of Cherokee's population has increased from 1.2% to 4.8%.

Cherokee is more Asian than neighboring Whittier (0% Asian), Dillsboro (0% Asian), Sylva (0.8% Asian), Bryson City (0% Asian), and Webster (0% Asian).

Cherokee's Hispanic Population

63 residents of Cherokee, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Cherokee is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Cherokee ranks 346th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cherokee's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 57.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Cherokee's population has decreased from 6.7% to 3.1%.

Cherokee is more Hispanic than neighboring Whittier (0% Hispanic). Cherokee is less Hispanic than neighboring Dillsboro (7.7% Hispanic), Sylva (16.6% Hispanic), Bryson City (7.6% Hispanic), and Webster (17.2% Hispanic).

Cherokee's Native American/Other Population

1,483 residents of Cherokee, or 72.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Cherokee is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Cherokee ranks 3rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cherokee's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 10.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Cherokee's population has decreased from 75.1% to 72.0%.

Cherokee is more Native American/Other than neighboring Whittier (0% Native American/Other), Dillsboro (5.1% Native American/Other), Sylva (6% Native American/Other), Bryson City (15.1% Native American/Other), and Webster (1.5% Native American/Other).

Cherokee's Multiracial Population

172 residents of Cherokee, or 8.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Cherokee is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Cherokee ranks 51st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Cherokee's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 17.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Cherokee's population has increased from 6.7% to 8.4%.

Cherokee is more Multiracial than neighboring Whittier (0% Multiracial), Sylva (3.8% Multiracial), Bryson City (4.7% Multiracial), and Webster (3.4% Multiracial). Cherokee is less Multiracial than neighboring Dillsboro (12.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.