Childcare costs in Cherokee County, NC
$10,864 a year for center-based infant care - 22.1% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
The going rate for center-based infant care in Cherokee County, NC is $10,864/year, while family childcare is $6,998/year, based on National Database of Childcare Prices survey data from the U.S. Department of Labor. This represents 22.1% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $7,134/year, and preschool-age care is $4,812/year.
Cherokee County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Cherokee County, NC ranks #1,882 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Center-based infant care costs $10,864 a year in Cherokee County, NC, coming in 13% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 29% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 22.1% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $10,864/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +13%
- Corpus placement
- #1,882 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 22.1%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $10,864
- Center Infant/yr
- $6,998
- Family Infant/yr
- $49,254
- Median Income
- 22.1%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $10,864 | $6,998 |
| Toddler | $7,134 | $5,948 |
| Preschool | $4,812 | $5,948 |
| School Age | $2,608 | $3,235 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Cherokee County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$10,864 more affordable than 29% of 2,662 US counties
Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022
Full NDCP Care Ladder in Cherokee County
This county reports every age×setting cell in the DOL NDCP survey. That lets us compare the center premium over family care at each age, and how steeply costs fall from infant to school-age.
| Age | Center | Family | Center premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $10,864 | $6,998 | +$3,866 (+55.2%) |
| Toddler | $7,134 | $5,948 | +$1,186 (+19.9%) |
| Preschool | $4,812 | $5,948 | $-1,136 (-19.1%) |
| School Age | $2,608 | $3,235 | $-627 (-19.4%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $25,418/year versus $22,129/year for family care ($3,289 more at a center). Infant center care runs 4.17× school-age center care here. Among the 98North Carolina counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Cherokee County ranks #83 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Cherokee County Families
Weighed against a $49,254 median household income, Cherokee County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 22.1% of gross income. Against the federal 7% affordability benchmark, the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 15.1 points.At over 20% of income, Cherokee County qualifies as an affordability desert, counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share.
For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
Here's how center-based infant care priced out from 2014 to 2022, across 8 years of NDCP survey data.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | N/A |
| 2009 | N/A |
| 2010 | N/A |
| 2011 | N/A |
| 2012 | N/A |
| 2013 | N/A |
| 2014 | $7,973 |
| 2015 | $7,807 |
| 2016 | $8,512 |
| 2017 | $9,219 |
| 2018 | $9,924 |
| 2019 | $10,630 |
| 2020 | $11,336 |
| 2021 | N/A |
| 2022 | $10,864 |
What this means for Cherokee County families
Infant center care here takes 22.1% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 22.1% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
- Family childcare homes run $6,998/year for infants, about $3,866 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Cherokee County compares against the cheapest counties in North Carolina. Cheapest in North Carolina
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.