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Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber. 
Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events. 
Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here. 
The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors. 
Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently. 
Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business. 
Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community. 
Population - Regional Reports
Regional Population growth
| Population Growth | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville Metro (4-County) | 369,171 | 417,012 | 13.0 |
| Buncombe County | 206,330 | 233,932 | 13.4 |
| Haywood County | 54,033 | 56,962 | 5.4 |
| Henderson County | 89,173 | 105,431 | 18.2 |
| Madison County | 19,635 | 20,691 | 5.4 |
| McDowell County | 42,151 | 44,317 | 5.1 |
| Polk County | 18,324 | 19,198 | 4.8 |
| Rutherford County | 62,899 | 63,809 | 1.4 |
| Transylvania County | 29,334 | 30,583 | 4.3 |
| Yancey County | 17,774 | 18,800 | 5.8 |
| Total: Nine-County Region | 539,653 | 593,723 | 10.0 |
Buncombe County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County | 145,056 | 160,897 | 174,727 | 206,330 | 233,932 | 13.4 |
| Asheville | 57,681 | 54,022 | 64,625 | 68,555 | 74,140 | 8.1 |
| Biltmore Forest | 1,298 | 1,499 | 1,346 | 1,434 | 1,522 | 6.1 |
| Black Mountain | 3,204 | 4,083 | 6,537 | 7,499 | 7,646 | 2.0 |
| Montreat | 581 | 741 | 799 | 884 | 774 | -12.4 |
| Weaverville | 1,280 | 1,495 | 2,056 | 2,474 | 2,894 | 17.0 |
| Woodfin | N/A | 3,260 | 3,002 | 3,169 | 3,395 | 7.1 |
Haywood County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haywood County | 41,710 | 46,495 | 46,943 | 54,033 | 56,962 | 5.4 |
| Canton | 5,158 | 4,631 | 3,843 | 4,077 | 4,022 | -1.3 |
| Clyde | 900 | 1,008 | 934 | 1,114 | 1,090 | -2.2 |
| Maggie Valley | N/A | 202 | 461 | 564 | 600 | 6.4 |
| Waynesville | 6,488 | 6,765 | 9,015 | 9,276 | 9,479 | 2.2 |
Henderson County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson County | 42,804 | 58,580 | 69,378 | 89,173 | 105,431 | 18.2 |
| Flat Rock | N/A | N/A | 1,765 | 2,536 | 1,582 | -37.6 |
| Fletcher | N/A | 2,233 | 2,913 | 4,215 | 5,698 | 35.2 |
| Hendersonville | 6,443 | 6,852 | 9,689 | 10,723 | 11,636 | 8.5 |
| Laurel Park | 581 | 764 | 1,614 | 1,883 | 2,047 | 8.7 |
Madison County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison County | 16,003 | 16,827 | 16,952 | 19,635 | 20,691 | 5.4 |
| Hot Springs | 653 | 678 | 359 | 452 | 468 | 3.5 |
| Marshall | 982 | 809 | 755 | 811 | 830 | 2.3 |
| Mars Hill | 1,623 | 2,126 | 1,540 | 1,655 | 1,717 | 3.7 |
McDowell County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDowell County | 30,648 | 35,135 | 35,681 | 42,151 | 44,317 | 5.1 |
| Marion | 3,335 | 3,684 | 4,652 | 4,890 | 4,873 | -0.3 |
| Old Fort | 676 | 752 | 907 | 951 | 980 | 3.0 |
Polk County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 11,735 | 12,984 | 14,416 | 18,324 | 19,198 | 4.8 |
| Columbus | 731 | 727 | 656 | 957 | 1,052 | 9.9 |
| Saluda | 546 | 607 | 469 | 544 | 564 | 3.7 |
| Tryon | 1,951 | 1,796 | 1,701 | 1,781 | 1,766 | -0.8 |
Rutherford County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford County | 47,337 | 53,787 | 56,927 | 62,899 | 63,809 | 1.4 |
| Bostic | N/A | 476 | 377 | 352 | 346 | -1.7 |
| Chimney Rock | N/A | N/A | 83 | 107 | 111 | 3.7 |
| Ellenboro | 465 | 560 | 570 | 631 | 663 | 5.1 |
| Forest City | 7,179 | 7,688 | 8,296 | 7,318 | 6,909 | -5.6 |
| Lake Lure | 456 | 488 | 1,023 | 1,352 | 1,421 | 5.1 |
| Ruth | 360 | 381 | 285 | 331 | 342 | 3.3 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,245 | 3,434 | 3,394 | 3,840 | 3,726 | -3.0 |
| Spindale | 3,848 | 4,246 | 4,092 | 3,906 | 3,726 | -4.6 |
Transylvania County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transylvania County | 19,713 | 23,417 | 25,519 | 29,334 | 30,583 | 4.3 |
| Brevard | 5,243 | 5,323 | 6,736 | 6,667 | 7,103 | 6.5 |
| Rosman | 407 | 512 | 297 | 379 | 381 | 0.5 |
Yancey County Population Growth
| Population Growth | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | % Change 2000-2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yancey County | 12,629 | 14,934 | 15,419 | 17,774 | 18,800 | 5.8 |
| Burnsville | 1,348 | 1,452 | 1,528 | 1,640 | 1,996 | 21.7 |
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