Sylva, NC Demographics

A map of Sylva's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	1,835	1,902	69.3%	73.8%
Hispanic	438	336	16.6%	13.0%
Native American/Other	158	83	6.0%	3.2%
Multiracial	100	98	3.8%	3.8%
Black	94	87	3.6%	3.4%
Asian	21	72	0.8%	2.8%

Sylva, North Carolina has an estimated population of 2,646, a slight increase from the 2,578 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 69.3% White, 16.6% Hispanic, 6.0% Native American/Other, 3.8% Multiracial, 3.6% Black, and 0.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sylva, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sylva has become considerably 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 Sylva, that probability was 43.4% in 2020 and 48.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sylva is ranked the 291st 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). Sylva was ranked the 276th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Sylva's White Population

1,835 residents of Sylva, or 69.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sylva is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Sylva ranks 351st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sylva's White population has declined by an estimated 3.5%. White residents' share of Sylva's population has decreased from 73.8% to 69.3%.

Sylva is more White than neighboring Dillsboro (67.7% White), and Cherokee (9.9% White). Sylva is less White than neighboring Webster (77.9% White), Cullowhee (79% White), and Forest Hills (81.5% White).

Sylva's Black Population

94 residents of Sylva, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sylva is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Sylva ranks 570th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sylva's Black population has grown by an estimated 8.0%. Black residents' share of Sylva's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.6%.

Sylva is more Black than neighboring Webster (0% Black), Forest Hills (0.6% Black), and Cherokee (1.9% Black). Sylva is less Black than neighboring Dillsboro (7.2% Black), and Cullowhee (5.5% Black).

Sylva's Asian Population

21 residents of Sylva, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sylva is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Sylva ranks 75th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sylva's Asian population has declined by an estimated 70.8%. Asian residents' share of Sylva's population has decreased from 2.8% to 0.8%.

Sylva is more Asian than neighboring Webster (0% Asian), Dillsboro (0% Asian), Cullowhee (0.7% Asian), and Forest Hills (0% Asian). Sylva is less Asian than neighboring Cherokee (4.8% Asian).

Sylva's Hispanic Population

438 residents of Sylva, or 16.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sylva is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Sylva ranks 135th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sylva's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 30.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Sylva's population has increased from 13.0% to 16.6%.

Sylva is more Hispanic than neighboring Dillsboro (7.7% Hispanic), Cullowhee (10.5% Hispanic), Forest Hills (6.1% Hispanic), and Cherokee (3.1% Hispanic). Sylva is less Hispanic than neighboring Webster (17.2% Hispanic).

Sylva's Native American/Other Population

158 residents of Sylva, or 6.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sylva is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Sylva ranks 55th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sylva's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 90.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sylva's population has increased from 3.2% to 6.0%.

Sylva is more Native American/Other than neighboring Webster (1.5% Native American/Other), Dillsboro (5.1% Native American/Other), Cullowhee (1.7% Native American/Other), and Forest Hills (1.2% Native American/Other). Sylva is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cherokee (72% Native American/Other).

Sylva's Multiracial Population

100 residents of Sylva, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sylva is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Sylva ranks 369th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Sylva's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 2.0%. Multiracial residents' share of Sylva's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Sylva is more Multiracial than neighboring Webster (3.4% Multiracial), and Cullowhee (2.6% Multiracial). Sylva is less Multiracial than neighboring Dillsboro (12.3% Multiracial), Forest Hills (10.6% Multiracial), and Cherokee (8.4% 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.