Chapter ED Intelligence · Chapter Report
The ARC serving the Blue Ridge Piedmont of North Carolina
Southeast and Caribbean Division · North Carolina Region
NC · 12 counties · HQ Hickory, NC · FEMA Region IV
968,843
People
392,663
Households
44.6%
Households below the ALICE survival threshold
12
Counties · 4,788 sq mi
Nearly 45% of households across this chapter live below the ALICE survival threshold — the working families one disaster away from crisis.
In this report · Economic vulnerability · Who lives here · Home fire mission (FLARE) · mission delivery & the bespoke relationship strategy to follow
Sources: American Red Cross geography + 2023 demographics reference table; United Way ALICE + poverty (latest county year).
Geography & Footprint
The chapter's footprint.
12
Counties
4,788
Square miles
968,843
People
North Carolina Region
Southeast and Caribbean Division
| County | People | Sq mi | % of chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston | 235,996 | 364 | 24.4% |
| Catawba | 163,189 | 413 | 16.8% |
| Cleveland | 100,558 | 468 | 10.4% |
| Lincoln | 90,859 | 307 | 9.4% |
| Burke | 86,831 | 515 | 9.0% |
| Caldwell | 80,025 | 474 | 8.3% |
| Wilkes | 65,116 | 757 | 6.7% |
| Watauga | 54,684 | 313 | 5.6% |
| Alexander | 36,241 | 264 | 3.7% |
| Ashe | 26,500 | 429 | 2.7% |
| Avery | 17,750 | 247 | 1.8% |
| Alleghany | 11,094 | 237 | 1.1% |
HQ: Hickory, NC · FEMA Region IV. Counties sorted by population.
Who Lives Here
The people of this chapter.
43
Median age
$55,630
Median household income
18.4%
Age 65+
28.1%
Renter households
Age distribution
Race & ethnicity
Hispanic / Latino (any race): 8.3% of residents.
Source: American Red Cross 2023 demographics reference table. Chapter figures aggregate the 12 counties; median age and income are population-weighted.
Economic Vulnerability
Where the need is greatest.
| County | People | Median HH income | ALICE | Poverty | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watauga | 54,684 | $51,025 | 30.0% | 24.7% | 54.7% |
| Avery | 17,750 | $49,378 | 43.1% | 11.5% | 54.6% |
| Wilkes | 65,116 | $45,142 | 35.7% | 18.2% | 53.9% |
| Alleghany | 11,094 | $40,528 | 38.4% | 14.6% | 53.1% |
| Ashe | 26,500 | $44,247 | 32.5% | 16.2% | 48.7% |
| Caldwell | 80,025 | $42,901 | 34.0% | 13.2% | 47.1% |
| Burke | 86,831 | $54,588 | 28.8% | 16.8% | 45.7% |
| Gaston | 235,996 | $57,064 | 30.4% | 13.3% | 43.7% |
| Alexander | 36,241 | $57,632 | 31.3% | 11.0% | 42.4% |
| Catawba | 163,189 | $61,049 | 28.9% | 12.4% | 41.3% |
| Cleveland | 100,558 | $49,405 | 24.1% | 17.0% | 41.1% |
| Lincoln | 90,859 | $77,140 | 27.2% | 10.5% | 37.7% |
Combined = households in poverty plus ALICE households (above poverty, below the cost of basics), as a share of all county households. Source: United Way ALICE, latest county year.
Risk & Disaster History
What this chapter is up against.
$317.4M
Expected annual loss, all hazards
Gaston
Highest-risk county
60.6%
Avg social vulnerability (SVI)
5
FEMA declarations, 5 yr (top county)
| County | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | SVI %ile | FEMA 5yr | FEMA all |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston | Relatively Moderate | $59.3M | 65.0% | 4 | 20 |
| Catawba | Relatively Low | $45.4M | 68.2% | 4 | 21 |
| Wilkes | Relatively Moderate | $33.1M | 70.7% | 5 | 22 |
| Lincoln | Relatively Low | $32.2M | 25.2% | 4 | 21 |
| Cleveland | Relatively Low | $27.3M | 85.2% | 4 | 20 |
| Watauga | Relatively Low | $26.0M | 42.4% | 5 | 24 |
| Caldwell | Relatively Low | $25.0M | 65.0% | 4 | 23 |
| Burke | Relatively Low | $22.8M | 70.8% | 4 | 24 |
| Ashe | Relatively Low | $17.8M | 45.2% | 5 | 26 |
| Avery | Relatively Low | $11.3M | 71.9% | 5 | 22 |
| Alexander | Relatively Low | $10.6M | 45.6% | 4 | 19 |
| Alleghany | Very Low | $6.6M | 71.7% | 5 | 20 |
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index 2025 (risk rating, expected annual loss), CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022 (social-vulnerability percentile), FEMA disaster declarations — via the Red Cross national county database.
Disaster History
A chapter shaped by disaster.
34
Federal disaster declarations
10
Hurricanes
Hurricane
Most common type
2026
Most recent
By incident type
Most recent declarations
| FY | Disaster | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm |
| 2024 | Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm |
| 2024 | Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm |
| 2023 | Hurricane Ian | Hurricane |
| 2021 | Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane |
| 2021 | Tropical Storm Eta | Severe Storm |
| 2020 | Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane |
| 2020 | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm |
| 2020 | Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological |
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 — county-level, deduplicated to unique disasters.
Home Fire Mission · FLARE 2024
Every home fire is a Red Cross moment.
371
Home fires (2024)
59.3%
Red Cross care rate
94
Fires with no Red Cross notification
3.8
Fires per 10,000 residents
Red Cross cared for 59% of home fires — but 94 (25%) happened with no Red Cross notification: the prevention, smoke-alarm, and response opportunity, county by county.
Source: FLARE Fire Incidents 2024 (American Red Cross, public layer). “With care” = Red Cross provided assistance; “no notification” = the Red Cross was never alerted to the fire.
Home Fire · Respond & Prevent
Red Cross shows up — and prevents.
4,379
Home-fire calls answered (RC response)
4,095
Single-family fire responses
2,423
Free smoke alarms installed
284
Multi-family fire responses
Red Cross answered 4,379 home-fire calls and installed 2,423 free smoke alarms across the chapter — response and prevention, county by county.
Sources: DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (RC fire responses); Smoke Alarm Installs FY15–FY24 (American Red Cross).
Blood & BioMed
The blood mission's local footprint.
86,990
Blood units collected (FY22–26)
3,539
Blood drives held
650
Drives in FY2026
12
Counties with drives
Blood drives are active in 12 of the chapter's 12 counties — every county without one is an employer or civic opening: a host site, a sponsored drive, a standing partnership.
Source: BioMed Collections FY22–FY26 (American Red Cross). Drives = collection events; units = products collected.
Red Cross Facilities
The chapter's physical footprint.
3
Red Cross facilities
0
Owned
3
Leased / licensed
0
BioMed sites
By type / function
BioMed facilities
No BioMed fixed sites in this chapter.
Sources: Red Cross real-estate portfolio (reintel.jbf.com) + BioMed facilities (biomed.jbf.com).
Locations, types and functions only — no cost, square footage, or lease terms are disclosed.
Red Cross Philanthropy · Major Donors
Who gives here.
Major-donor giving across the chapter — three fiscal years. Internal planning data.
$594,080
Total giving, 3-year
39
Major donors
$24,492
Current FY · ▼ 94% vs prior FY
$272,839
Top: Catawba
| County | Major donors | Total giving, 3-year |
|---|---|---|
| Catawba | 14 | $272,839 |
| Watauga | 6 | $85,611 |
| Wilkes | 4 | $80,493 |
| Gaston | 5 | $42,136 |
| Burke | 3 | $33,500 |
| Alexander | 1 | $30,000 |
| Lincoln | 2 | $14,000 |
| Caldwell | 1 | $12,500 |
| Avery | 1 | $10,000 |
| Cleveland | 1 | $8,000 |
| Alleghany | 1 | $5,000 |
Source: Red Cross major-donor giving by county, three fiscal years.
Internal / executive-director planning use — not donor-facing.
County Deep Dive
Gaston County
235,996
People
$57,064
Median HH income
43.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age41.6
ALICE households29,567
Poverty households12,966
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$59.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)65.0%
FEMA declarations (all time)20
Home fires, CY202485
Fires, no RC notification34
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$42,136
Gaston County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Catawba County
163,189
People
$61,049
Median HH income
41.3%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age42.5
ALICE households19,662
Poverty households8,464
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$45.4M
Social vulnerability (SVI)68.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)21
Home fires, CY202469
Fires, no RC notification16
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$272,839
Catawba County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Cleveland County
100,558
People
$49,405
Median HH income
41.1%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.1
ALICE households9,492
Poverty households6,682
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$27.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)85.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)20
Home fires, CY202447
Fires, no RC notification10
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$8,000
Cleveland County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Lincoln County
90,859
People
$77,140
Median HH income
37.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.4
ALICE households9,699
Poverty households3,741
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$32.2M
Social vulnerability (SVI)25.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)21
Home fires, CY202417
Fires, no RC notification4
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$14,000
Lincoln County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Burke County
86,831
People
$54,588
Median HH income
45.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age44.5
ALICE households10,811
Poverty households6,312
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$22.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)70.8%
FEMA declarations (all time)24
Home fires, CY202428
Fires, no RC notification7
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$33,500
Burke County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Caldwell County
80,025
People
$42,901
Median HH income
47.1%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age44.6
ALICE households11,135
Poverty households4,309
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$25.0M
Social vulnerability (SVI)65.0%
FEMA declarations (all time)23
Home fires, CY202454
Fires, no RC notification10
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$12,500
Caldwell County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Wilkes County
65,116
People
$45,142
Median HH income
53.9%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Moderate
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age45.3
ALICE households9,335
Poverty households4,757
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$33.1M
Social vulnerability (SVI)70.7%
FEMA declarations (all time)22
Home fires, CY202429
Fires, no RC notification3
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$80,493
Wilkes County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Watauga County
54,684
People
$51,025
Median HH income
54.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age32.5
ALICE households6,359
Poverty households5,234
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$26.0M
Social vulnerability (SVI)42.4%
FEMA declarations (all time)24
Home fires, CY202416
Fires, no RC notification7
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$85,611
Watauga County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Alexander County
36,241
People
$57,632
Median HH income
42.4%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age43.3
ALICE households4,355
Poverty households1,535
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$10.6M
Social vulnerability (SVI)45.6%
FEMA declarations (all time)19
Home fires, CY202410
Fires, no RC notification2
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$30,000
Alexander County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Ashe County
26,500
People
$44,247
Median HH income
48.7%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age48.6
ALICE households3,899
Poverty households1,939
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$17.8M
Social vulnerability (SVI)45.2%
FEMA declarations (all time)26
Home fires, CY20247
Fires, no RC notification0
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr—
Ashe County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Avery County
17,750
People
$49,378
Median HH income
54.6%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Relatively Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age44.4
ALICE households2,824
Poverty households757
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$11.3M
Social vulnerability (SVI)71.9%
FEMA declarations (all time)22
Home fires, CY20243
Fires, no RC notification0
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$10,000
Avery County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
County Deep Dive
Alleghany County
11,094
People
$40,528
Median HH income
53.1%
Combined ALICE + poverty
Very Low
FEMA NRI risk
People & economy
Median age49.4
ALICE households1,941
Poverty households738
Risk & response
Expected annual loss$6.6M
Social vulnerability (SVI)71.7%
FEMA declarations (all time)20
Home fires, CY20246
Fires, no RC notification1
Bridge assistance · DRO 220-25—
Major-donor giving · 3-yr$5,000
Alleghany County · sources: Red Cross demographics 2023, United Way ALICE, FEMA NRI & declarations, FLARE CY2024.
Your Live Tools
The chapter's Experience Builder apps & federal tools.
Red Cross Intelligence Briefing
Chapter risk, hardship, hazards & county drilldowns
experience.arcgis.com
Disaster Response Intelligence
Spatial disaster-response intelligence
Experience Builder app
Red Cross Real Estate
Facilities & market intelligence
experience.arcgis.com
Service Area Planning
Service-area geography & planning
Experience Builder app
Community Mobilization V
Local resource & mobilization map
experience.arcgis.com
Biomed
Blood & BioMed footprint
experience.arcgis.com
FEMA RAPT
Resilience analysis & planning
www.fema.gov
Census Community Resilience
People & resilience context
www.census.gov
Red Cross Experience Builder apps give the live, drill-down companion to this report; federal tools add official context.
Sources & Methodology
Every number, traceable.
Tools produce facts; humans own decisions. Each figure in this report traces to a named source and vintage.
| Metric | Source | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| geography + 2023 demographics | ALICE master / Red Cross reference table | 2023 |
| ALICE + poverty households | MASTER counties ALICE+demographics | 2023 |
| flare | flare_fire_incidents (public AGOL, CY24) | CY2024 |
| smoke_alarms | GIS_MAP_FY15_to_FY24 (AGOL item b09f21d9…) | FY15–24 |
| lives_saved | Lives_Saved_Map_30_Apr_2026 (AGOL item ff313330…) | 2026 |
| blood | Biomed Collections 22-26 by chapter/county | FY22–26 |
| risk + disaster history | FEMA NRI 2025 · CDC SVI 2022 · FEMA declarations (red-cross-data county master) | FEMA NRI 2025 · SVI 2022 |
| fema disaster history | FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 | 2026 |
| facilities / real estate (no costs) | Red Cross facilities portfolio — reintel.jbf.com (locations, types & ownership only; no cost/lease terms) | FY25 |
| home-fire RC responses (SFF/MFF) | DRO National 800-RedCross Calls by County (org AGOL) | FY24–26 |
Geography: American Red Cross chapter↔county reference. The full machine-readable source ledger ships with the data bundle.
Appendix · County Data
Full county table.
| County | Pop | Households | Hardship | NRI risk | Exp. annual loss | Fires '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaston | 235,996 | 94,577 | 43.7% | Relatively Moderate | $59.3M | 85 |
| Catawba | 163,189 | 65,874 | 41.3% | Relatively Low | $45.4M | 69 |
| Cleveland | 100,558 | 40,543 | 41.1% | Relatively Low | $27.3M | 47 |
| Lincoln | 90,859 | 36,136 | 37.7% | Relatively Low | $32.2M | 17 |
| Burke | 86,831 | 35,102 | 45.7% | Relatively Low | $22.8M | 28 |
| Caldwell | 80,025 | 33,169 | 47.1% | Relatively Low | $25.0M | 54 |
| Wilkes | 65,116 | 27,402 | 53.9% | Relatively Moderate | $33.1M | 29 |
| Watauga | 54,684 | 21,799 | 54.7% | Relatively Low | $26.0M | 16 |
| Alexander | 36,241 | 14,447 | 42.4% | Relatively Low | $10.6M | 10 |
| Ashe | 26,500 | 11,738 | 48.7% | Relatively Low | $17.8M | 7 |
| Avery | 17,750 | 6,901 | 54.6% | Relatively Low | $11.3M | 3 |
| Alleghany | 11,094 | 4,975 | 53.1% | Very Low | $6.6M | 6 |
One row per county. Combined hardship = poverty + ALICE households. Fires = FLARE CY2024.