North Carolina

Watauga

54,086
2020 population
1850
first census record
18
census records

About Watauga

Watauga, North Carolina, first appears in the United States federal census in 1850, when it recorded a population of 3,400. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 54,086.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Kirk-Stoneman Raid — Boone NC, Stoneman's Raid — Boone NC, and 23 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202054,086
201051,079
200042,695
199036,952
198031,666
197023,404
196017,529
195018,342
194018,114
193015,165
192013,477
191013,556
190013,417
189010,611
18808,160
18705,287
18604,957
18503,400
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Watauga

Military engagements that took place in Watauga, North Carolina.

Kirk-Stoneman Raid — Boone NC
1864
Stoneman's Raid — Boone NC
1865

Historic places in Watauga

National Register of Historic Places listings in Watauga, North Carolina.

Randall Memorial Building, Former
Blowing Rock
Daniel Boone Hotel
Boone
Green Park Inn
Blowing Rock
Mast Farm
Valle Crucis
Farthing, Ben, Farm
Sugar Grove
Green Park Historic District
Blowing Rock
Mast General Store
Valle Crucis
Cove Creek High School
Sugar Grove
East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Locomotive No. 12
Blowing Rock
Westglow
Blowing Rock
Bollinger-Hartley House
Blowing Rock
Vardell Family Cottages Historic District
Blowing Rock
Valle Crucis Historic District
Valle Crucis
Blair Farm
Boone
Flat Top Estate
Blowing Rock
Valle Crucis Episcopal Mission
Valle Crucis
US Post Office-Boone
Boone
Browse all North Carolinahistoric sites ›

Other counties in North Carolina

Explore census history and historic records for more North Carolina counties.

RichmondRobesonRockinghamRowanRutherfordSampsonScotlandStanlyStokesSurrySwainTransylvaniaTyrrellUnionVanceWakeWaltonWarrenWashingtonWayne
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Watauga County, North Carolina

This page charts the census history of Watauga County, North Carolina. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Watauga County, North Carolina report
Or see a real report first

Explore North Carolina records

North Carolinahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from North Carolina›

Frequently asked about Watauga

When does Watauga first appear in the US census?
Watauga, North Carolina first appears in the federal census in 1850, with a recorded population of 3,400.
What is the population of Watauga?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Watauga had a recorded population of 54,086.
Were any battles fought in Watauga?
2 documented military engagements took place in Watauga, including Kirk-Stoneman Raid — Boone NC, Stoneman's Raid — Boone NC.
How many historic places are in Watauga?
23 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Watauga, North Carolina.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report