.....Avery County's good quality of life and low cost of living have attracted many new residents to the community. The county is taking steps to stem the population loss and ensure that services are in place to meet the needs of its rapidly growing Asian and Hispanic populations. Enabling its minorities to prosper will increase Avery County’s per capita income and reduce the poverty rate among all its citizens.

.....In order to grow its economy and increase its per capita income, Avery County will take steps to attract, create, and retain more high paying jobs. The best way to do this is to encourage and nurture entrepreneurs and establish an entrepreneurial culture in the community. One other approach is to increase Avery County's health care capacity to meet the demands of the aging Baby Boomer generation.

....Workforce development and finding skilled employees are the top concerns of many businesses today. Avery County's future workforce is the K-12 school system today, and for long term economic development, Avery County needs to ensure that these students are competent and prepared for continuing their education and obtaining high-skilled jobs.

.....Our high school exceeds the state in number of books per student. Our High School exceeds the state ratio in computers per student and a higher level of computers per student with Internet access.

....Avery County's families are an important asset. Ranging from extended families to single college students, the needs are varied. There are approximately 24,093 households in Avery County. Average household size is 2.26. Approximately 70 percent Avery's women work at paid jobs with approximately 60 percent having children under the age of six. In 1999, the median family income was only $32, 611 with 17.9 percent of families living in poverty compared to $39,184 and 12.3 percent for the state. Currently, 11 percent of the population is age 65 and over

Return to Top