Swain County Demographics

A map of Swain County's Population by Race

Swain County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 14,013, a less than 1% change from the 14,117 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 59.2% White, 27.3% Native American/Other, 5.5% Hispanic, 5.0% Multiracial, 2.6% Black, and 0.5% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Swain County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Swain has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is 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 Swain County, that probability was 54.6% in 2020 and 56.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Swain County is ranked the 88th most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Swain County was ranked the 88th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Swain County's White Population

8,292 residents of Swain County, or 59.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Swain County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Swain County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Swain County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Swain County's population has decreased from 60.5% to 59.2%.

Swain County is less White than neighboring Sevier County (85.1% White), Macon County (85.2% White), Graham County (84.9% White), Jackson County (78.4% White), and Blount County (88.5% White).

Swain County's Black Population

363 residents of Swain County, or 2.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Swain County is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Swain County ranks 94th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Swain County's Black population has grown by an estimated 255.9%. Black residents' share of Swain County's population has increased from 0.7% to 2.6%.

Swain County is more Black than neighboring Sevier County (1.1% Black), Macon County (1.4% Black), Graham County (0.4% Black), Jackson County (2.1% Black), and Blount County (2.5% Black).

Swain County's Asian Population

69 residents of Swain County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Swain County is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Swain County ranks 74th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Swain County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 30.2%. Asian residents' share of Swain County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Swain County is less Asian than neighboring Sevier County (1.3% Asian), Macon County (0.6% Asian), Graham County (0.7% Asian), Jackson County (1% Asian), and Blount County (0.8% Asian).

Swain County's Hispanic Population

767 residents of Swain County, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Swain County is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Swain County ranks 81st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Swain County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 29.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Swain County's population has increased from 4.2% to 5.5%.

Swain County is more Hispanic than neighboring Graham County (3% Hispanic), and Blount County (4.7% Hispanic). Swain County is less Hispanic than neighboring Sevier County (9.6% Hispanic), Macon County (10% Hispanic), and Jackson County (8% Hispanic).

Swain County's Native American/Other Population

3,827 residents of Swain County, or 27.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Swain County is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Swain County ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Swain County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 6.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Swain County's population has decreased from 28.9% to 27.3%.

Swain County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Sevier County (0.6% Native American/Other), Macon County (0.4% Native American/Other), Graham County (10% Native American/Other), Jackson County (6.9% Native American/Other), and Blount County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Swain County's Multiracial Population

695 residents of Swain County, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Swain County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Swain County ranks 6th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Swain County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Swain County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.0%.

Swain County is more Multiracial than neighboring Sevier County (2.3% Multiracial), Macon County (2.4% Multiracial), Graham County (1.1% Multiracial), Jackson County (3.5% Multiracial), and Blount County (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.