Watauga County, North Carolina
Watauga County, North Carolina | |
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United States Post Office in Boone | |
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Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina | |
| Coordinates: 36°14′N 81°43′W / 36.24°N 81.71°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Founded | 1849 |
| Named after | Watauga River |
| Seat | Boone |
| Largest community | Boone |
| Area | |
• Total | 313.32 sq mi (811.5 km2) |
| • Land | 312.44 sq mi (809.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.88 sq mi (2.3 km2) 0.28% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 54,086 |
• Estimate (2024) | 54,997 |
| • Density | 173.11/sq mi (66.84/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
Watauga County (/wəˈtɔːɡə/ wuh-TAW-guh) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 54,086 at the 2020 census. Its county seat and largest community is Boone. The county is in an exceptionally mountainous region, known as the High Country. It is the home of Appalachian State University, which has approximately 21,570 students as of Fall 2024. Watauga County comprises the Boone, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.