Buncombe County Economy Overview 
Select Indicators 
 

 
 

 
OCTOBER 2018 
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Buncombe County 
 

 
 
 

 
 

Source: GIS Planning 

        
 
Buncombe County 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Source: GIS Planning 

 
        
 
Buncombe County 

 
 

Source: GIS Planning 

 
        
 
Buncombe County 

 
 
 

 
 

Source: GIS Planning 

        
 
Buncombe County 
 

 
 

 
 

Source: EMSI 
        
 
Buncombe County 
 

July Economic Indicators 
Key Indicator Monthly Data
Unemployment Rate % July 2017 July 2018 % Change
Asheville City 3.7 3.2 -0.5
Buncombe County 3.7 3.1 -0.6
Haywood County 4.2 3.5 -0.7
Henderson County 4.1 3.4 -0.7
Madison County 4.6 3.8 -0.8
Asheville Metro 3.9 3.3 -0.6
North Carolina 4.8 4.1 -0.7
United States 4.6 4.1 -0.5
Total Employment (4-county MSA) July 2017 July 2018 % Change
Total Employment (nonfarm) 188,300 192,500 2.2%
Major Industry Employment, thousands (4-county MSA) July 2017 July 2018 % Change
Construction 8,900 9,300 4.5%
Manufacturing 20,700 21,700 4.8%
Retail Trade 26,100 26,400 1.1%
Transportation and Utilities 4,700 4,800 2.1%
Wholesale 4,800 4,900 2.1%
Information 2,000 2,000 0.0%
Financial Activities 6,500 6,600 1.5%
Professional & Business Services 17,300 17,300 0.0%
Education and Health Services 37,400 37,700 0.8%
Leisure and Hospitality 30,400 31,800 4.6%
Government (federal, state, and local) 21,200 21,500 1.4%
Residential Activity (4-county MSA) July 2017 July 2018 % Change
Number of Homes Sold 683 749 9.7%
Average Price of Homes Sold $298,774 $325,869 9.1%
Tourism (Buncombe County) July 2017 July 2018 % Change
Lodging Sales $38,571,490 Not available
Asheville Regional Airport Activity July 2017 July 2018 % Change
Total Passengers 100,998 111,664 10.6%
Building Permits (4-county MSA) July 2017 July 2018 % Change
New Residential Permits (total units) 259 219 -15.4%
Value of New Residential Permits $50,481,000 $49,731,000 -1.5%
Sources: Land of Sky Association of Realtors, Carolina MLS, NC Department of Commerce, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Asheville
Regional Airport, Buncombe County TDA, US Census Bureau

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