| | Persons for Whom Poverty Status is Determined, 2005–2009 | Persons Below Poverty Level, 2005–2009 | Poverty Rate, 2005–2009 | Poverty Rate, Percent of U.S. Average, 2005–2009 |
|
| United States | 293,507,923 | 39,537,240 | 13.5% | 100.0% |
| Appalachian Region | 23,914,353 | 3,677,476 | 15.4% | 114.2% |
| North Carolina | 8,768,580 | 1,320,816 | 15.1% | 111.8% |
| Appalachian North Carolina | 1,585,281 | 242,490 | 15.3% | 113.6% |
|
| County |
| Alexander | 36,212 | 5,371 | 14.8% | 110.1% |
| Alleghany | 10,905 | 2,885 | 26.5% | 196.4% |
| Ashe | 24,932 | 4,164 | 16.7% | 124.0% |
| Avery | 16,085 | 2,115 | 13.1% | 97.6% |
| Buncombe | 219,288 | 30,236 | 13.8% | 102.4% |
| Burke | 86,530 | 14,660 | 16.9% | 125.8% |
| Caldwell | 77,786 | 12,242 | 15.7% | 116.8% |
| Cherokee | 25,753 | 3,768 | 14.6% | 108.6% |
| Clay | 9,756 | 1,778 | 18.2% | 135.3% |
| Davie | 39,920 | 4,369 | 10.9% | 81.2% |
| Forsyth | 337,173 | 49,451 | 14.7% | 108.9% |
| Graham | 7,786 | 1,659 | 21.3% | 158.2% |
| Haywood | 55,503 | 7,025 | 12.7% | 94.0% |
| Henderson | 97,707 | 11,834 | 12.1% | 89.9% |
| Jackson | 32,292 | 6,478 | 20.1% | 148.9% |
| Macon | 31,373 | 4,505 | 14.4% | 106.6% |
| Madison | 19,220 | 3,244 | 16.9% | 125.3% |
| McDowell | 42,653 | 6,495 | 15.2% | 113.0% |
| Mitchell | 15,546 | 2,562 | 16.5% | 122.3% |
| Polk | 18,652 | 2,494 | 13.4% | 99.3% |
| Rutherford | 61,314 | 11,040 | 18.0% | 133.7% |
| Stokes | 45,183 | 4,912 | 10.9% | 80.7% |
| Surry | 71,227 | 11,946 | 16.8% | 124.5% |
| Swain | 13,025 | 2,963 | 22.7% | 168.9% |
| Transylvania | 29,707 | 4,626 | 15.6% | 115.6% |
| Watauga | 39,294 | 8,843 | 22.5% | 167.1% |
| Wilkes | 65,449 | 12,253 | 18.7% | 139.0% |
| Yadkin | 36,900 | 5,313 | 14.4% | 106.9% |
| Yancey | 18,110 | 3,259 | 18.0% | 133.6% |
