Western North Carolina

Subregions

Far West

The southwestern and far west part of Western North Carolina all lie within the Appalachian Mountain chain. The tallest mountain ranges in the Appalachians, such as the Blacks, Great Smokies, and Great Balsams, are located here. Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak in the state, as well as eastern North America, is part of the Black Mountains. The region also has more waterfalls than any other in the state, and Transylvania County, located in the region, is known as the "land of waterfalls". Asheville is the major urban hub of far western North Carolina. Several other towns are located in the region, such as Hendersonville, Waynesville, Brevard, Canton, and Sylva. Cullowhee, near Sylva, is home to Western Carolina University. This area also includes a few hydroelectric projects managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, including Fontana Dam. Tourism, especially outdoor ventures such as canoeing, whitewater rafting, camping, and fishing are important for many local economies. Much of the area is protected by federal and state agencies, such as Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

High Country

The northern counties in Western North Carolina are commonly known as the state's High Country. Centered on Boone, the High Country has the area's most popular ski resorts, including Ski Beech, Appalachian Ski Mountain, and Sugar Mountain. The area also features such attractions, historical sites, and geological formations as Linville Caverns, Grandfather Mountain, and Blowing Rock. Education, skiing, tourism, and Christmas tree farming are among this area's most prominent industries, although agriculture and raising livestock also remain important. While specific definitions vary, the counties that make up the High Country region are: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey, as well as parts of Burke, Caldwell, McDowell and Wilkes.

Foothills

The Foothills is a region of transitional terrain between the Piedmont Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains, extending from the lower edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment into the upper Catawba, Yadkin, Broad, Saluda, and Savannah River valleys. The eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge drop sharply to the foothills section, going from 3,500 to 4,000 feet (1,000–1,200 m) at the top to 1,000–1,500 feet at the base. The foothills region contains numerous lower peaks and isolated mountain ranges, such as the South Mountains, Brushy Mountains, and Stone Mountain State Park. The foothills are divided into many small river and creek valleys where much of the region's population lives. Although no large cities are located in the foothills, the subregion contains many smaller cities and towns.

These towns were often developed by European Americans around a single industry, such as furniture or textiles, which depended on local waterpower as their energy sources. In the late 20th century, many of these industries and their associated jobs moved offshore to other countries due to globalization, although they still remain prevalent in some foothill areas. The towns that depended upon them economically often suffered from job and population losses of people moving to areas of more economic opportunity. Some areas of the foothills have developed newer economies, including manufacturing, food distribution, utilities, and health care. Many farmers in the northern foothills are poultry farmers. Vineyards have also been developed, along with associated winemaking and popular retail.

Among the towns of the North Carolina foothills region are: Elkin, Forest City, Glen Alpine, Granite Falls, Hudson, Lake Lure, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Tryon, North Wilkesboro, Wilkesboro, and Valdese; and the cities of Hickory, Lenoir, Marion, Mount Airy, Shelby, and Morganton. "The southern mountains" refer to the counties bordering South Carolina, with the cities/towns of Hendersonville, Brevard, and Columbus being within this area.

Higher education

The region has three major public universities: Appalachian State University in Boone, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, and UNC Asheville in Asheville. All three are part of the University of North Carolina system.

Several small, private colleges and universities are also located in the region. Mars Hill University is located 15 mi north of Asheville. Founded in 1856, it is the oldest college or university in Western North Carolina. Montreat College, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, is located 15 mi east of Asheville. Lees-McRae College, located in Banner Elk, is also affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Warren Wilson College, located in Swannanoa, is noted for its strong pro-environment policies and for being one of the nine work colleges in the United States. Brevard College, located in Brevard, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Lenoir-Rhyne University, located in Hickory, is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Several community college systems serve the region, including Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute, Catawba Valley Community College, Haywood Community College, Isothermal Community College, Mayland Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, Southwestern Community College, Tri-County Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, and Wilkes Community College.

Transportation

Highways

Interstates

Three major Interstate highways cross the region: Interstate 40, which traverses east–west, Interstate 77, which runs north–south through the northeastern section of Western North Carolina, and Interstate 26, which traverses north–south (although it is classified as an east–west highway for most of its route and is signed as such). Interstate 240 is the only auxiliary interstate route in the region, and it serves downtown Asheville.

U.S. Highways

US 421, a multi-lane expressway, is the major highway in the northwestern part of the state. US 19, US 23, US 64, US 74, and US 441 are the major highways in the far western part of the region. US 70 runs east through the area, connecting Hickory and Asheville. US 221 also runs through the area. This highway, which begins in Perry, Florida, connects the town of Rutherfordton to Jefferson. US 321 runs north from Hickory to Watauga and Avery counties before entering Tennessee.

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a National Scenic Byway that is 469 miles long, runs through western North Carolina, starting in Virginia and ending near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Railroads

Two major class 1 railroads serve the region, CSX and Norfolk Southern. In addition, two tourist railroads also operate in the area, the Tweetsie Railroad theme park and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.

Airports

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), located southeast of the city of Asheville in Fletcher, serves the area with non-stop jet service to Charlotte, North Carolina; LaGuardia Airport in New York City and nearby Newark, New Jersey; Houston, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; Orlando Sanford International Airport near Orlando, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Detroit, Michigan; and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.

Economy

Tourism is a major part of the economy in the area, which contains half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests. Several lakes and dams are scattered throughout Western North Carolina, such as Lake Lure and Fontana Dam. Many visitors travel to the region every summer and autumn from major cities to escape hot weather elsewhere and see the leaves change colors. The timber industry is also a major economic sector.

Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission was formed in 1965 to aid economic development in the Appalachian region, which was lagging far behind the rest of the nation on most economic indicators. The Appalachian region, as currently defined by the commission, includes 420 counties in 13 states, including 29 counties in North Carolina. The Commission classifies each county according to five economic qualifications— distressed, at-risk, transitional, competitive, or attainment. "Distressed" counties are considered the most economically endangered and "attainment" counties are the most economically prosperous. The three indicators used for such classification are three-year average unemployment rate, market income per capita, and poverty rate.

In 2003, Appalachian North Carolina— which included most counties of Western North Carolina and two counties in central North Carolina— had a three-year average unemployment rate of 6%, compared with 6.2% statewide and 5.5% nationwide. In 2002, Appalachian North Carolina had a per capita market income of $21,168, compared with $23,443 statewide and $26,420 nationwide. In 2000, Appalachian North Carolina had a poverty rate of 11.7%, compared to 12.3% statewide and 12.4% nationwide.

Only Graham County was designated as "Distressed" in North Carolina. Six— Cherokee, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Swain, and Yancey— were designated "at-risk." Forsyth County (which is usually grouped as part of central North Carolina) was the only county given the "attainment" designation. Four— Buncombe, Davie, Henderson, and Polk— were designated "competitive." Most Western North Carolina counties were designated "transitional," meaning they lagged behind the national average on one of the three key indicators. Graham County had Appalachian North Carolina's highest poverty rating, with 19.5% of its residents living below the poverty line. Forsyth had Appalachian North Carolina's highest per capita income at $26,987. Watauga County's unemployment rate of 2.3% was lowest of all 420 counties in the Appalachian region.

The changes brought by increased tourism and population growth from retirees and persons migrating to the region have been double-edged. Local businesses have benefited from increased economic revenue, but increases in costs of living and loss of natural habitat to development, can degrade the quality of life for which the region has become notable.

Topography

There are 82 mountain peaks between 5000 and in elevation in western North Carolina, and 43 peaks rise to over 6000 ft. The mountains in Western North Carolina are part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of the Appalachian Mountains. The Blue Ridge Mountains contain several subranges, such as the Great Smoky Mountains, South Mountains, Brushy Mountains, Sauratown Mountains, Great Balsam Mountains, Great Craggy Mountains, the Plott Balsams, and the Black Mountains. Mount Mitchell, in the Black Mountains, is, at 6684 ft, the highest point in eastern North America. Valley and foothills locations typically range from 1000-2000 ft AMSL.

The major rivers in the region include the French Broad River, Nolichucky River, Watauga River, Little Tennessee River, and Hiwassee River flowing into the Tennessee River valley; the New River flowing into the Ohio River valley; and the headwaters and upper valleys of the Catawba River, Yadkin River, Broad River, and Saluda River flowing through the foothills towards the Atlantic. The Eastern Continental Divide runs through the region, dividing Tennessee-bound streams from those flowing through the Carolinas and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Area

Counties

Western North Carolina is generally considered to consist of 23 counties.

The counties commonly included in the region are as follows:

1. Alleghany County
2. Ashe County
3. Avery County
4. Buncombe County
5. Burke County
6. Caldwell County
7. Cherokee County
8. Clay County
9. Graham County
10. Haywood County
11. Henderson County
12. Jackson County
13. Macon County
14. Madison County
15. McDowell County
16. Mitchell County
17. Polk County
18. Rutherford County
19. Swain County
20. Transylvania County
21. Watauga County
22. Wilkes County
23. Yancey County

Other counties that fall under various definitions of Western North Carolina include: Alexander County, Catawba County, Cleveland County, Surry County and Yadkin County. When these counties are added, they form a total regional area of roughly 11750 mi2. This makes the region roughly the size of Massachusetts.

During the early 1800s the western counties in North Carolina included counties located in the piedmont region, to distinguish them from the eastern counties in North Carolina that were settled earlier. As the western counties became more populated, jurisdictions competed for representation in the North Carolina General Assembly and the Governor's office.

Cities and towns

Listed below are communities often considered to be a part of Western North Carolina:

Over 40,000 inhabitants

• Asheville
• Hickory (located in the North Carolina foothills; primarily in Catawba County, with small amounts of territory in Burke and Caldwell Counties)

Over 10,000 inhabitants

• Boone
• Hendersonville
• Lenoir
• Morganton
• Waynesville

Fewer than 10,000 inhabitants

• Andrews
• Bakersville
• Banner Elk
• Beech Mountain
• Biltmore Forest
• Black Mountain
• Blowing Rock
• Bostic
• Brevard
• Bryson City
• Burnsville
• Cajah's Mountain
• Canton
• Cedar Rock
• Chimney Rock
• Clyde
• Columbus
• Connellys Springs
• Crossnore
• Dillsboro
• Drexel
• Elk Park
• Elkin
• Ellenboro
• Flat Rock
• Fletcher
• Fontana Dam
• Forest City
• Forest Hills
• Franklin
• Gamewell
• Glen Alpine
• Grandfather
• Granite Falls
• Hayesville
• Highlands
• Hildebran
• Hot Springs
• Hudson
• Jefferson
• Lake Lure
• Lake Santeetlah
• Lansing
• Laurel Park
• Long View
• Maggie Valley
• Marion
• Mars Hill
• Marshall
• Mills River
• Montreat
• Murphy
• Newland
• North Wilkesboro
• Old Fort
• Rhodhiss
• Robbinsville
• Ronda
• Rosman
• Ruth
• Rutherford College
• Rutherfordton
• Saluda
• Sawmills
• Seven Devils
• Sparta
• Spindale
• Spruce Pine
• Sugar Mountain
• Sylva
• Tryon
• Valdese
• Weaverville
• Webster
• West Jefferson
• Wilkesboro
• Woodfin

Important unincorporated communities

• Brasstown (site of John C. Campbell Folk School)
• Cashiers (a popular tourist area)
• Cherokee (headquarters for the Eastern Band of the Cherokee)
• Collettsville (located near Wilson Creek)
• Cullowhee (site of Western Carolina University's main campus)
• Deals Gap (site of a nationally famous motorcycle and sportscar resort)
• Lake Junaluska (headquarters for the World Methodist Council and site of a United Methodist camp and conference center)
• Linville (a popular recreation area)
• Little Switzerland (located near Blue Ridge Parkway)

Climate

The primary climate of western North Carolina is temperate with cool winters and hot summers (Köppen Cfa/Trewartha Do.) All months average significantly above freezing, seven months average above 50°F (10°C), and at least one month averages above 22°C (71.6°F). At high enough elevation this becomes an oceanic climate (Cfb) and higher still the climate is warm-summer humid continental (Dfb) when at least one month averages below freezing.

The following weather box examples represent four distinct areas of western North Carolina according to geographic position and elevation. Morganton is in the western Piedmont while Asheville is on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and both are Cfa. Waynesville is Cfb and Beech Mountain is Dfb.

|Jan record high F = 81 |Feb record high F = 81 |Mar record high F = 92 |Apr record high F = 94 |May record high F = 98 |Jun record high F = 105 |Jul record high F = 106 |Aug record high F = 104 |Sep record high F = 103 |Oct record high F = 96 |Nov record high F = 86 |Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 69.1 |Feb avg record high F = 71.9 |Mar avg record high F = 79.6 |Apr avg record high F = 85.5 |May avg record high F = 89.2 |Jun avg record high F = 93.7 |Jul avg record high F = 95.5 |Aug avg record high F = 94.3 |Sep avg record high F = 90.2 |Oct avg record high F = 84.5 |Nov avg record high F = 76.4 |Dec avg record high F = 69.6 |year avg record high F = 96.5

|Jan avg record low F = 11.0 |Feb avg record low F = 16.1 |Mar avg record low F = 21.0 |Apr avg record low F = 29.8 |May avg record low F = 38.6 |Jun avg record low F = 50.6 |Jul avg record low F = 57.5 |Aug avg record low F = 55.6 |Sep avg record low F = 45.1 |Oct avg record low F = 30.8 |Nov avg record low F = 22.0 |Dec avg record low F = 16.8 |year avg record low F = 9.4

|Jan record low F = -9 |Feb record low F = -1 |Mar record low F = 0 |Apr record low F = 20 |May record low F = 29 |Jun record low F = 37 |Jul record low F = 46 |Aug record low F = 42 |Sep record low F = 33 |Oct record low F = 19 |Nov record low F = 9 |Dec record low F = -10

|access-date = February 24, 2023 |access-date = February 24, 2023

|Jan record high F = 80 |Feb record high F = 80 |Mar record high F = 87 |Apr record high F = 90 |May record high F = 93 |Jun record high F = 98 |Jul record high F = 99 |Aug record high F = 100 |Sep record high F = 95 |Oct record high F = 91 |Nov record high F = 83 |Dec record high F = 81 |year record high F = 100 |Jan avg record high F = 67.0 |Feb avg record high F = 69.3 |Mar avg record high F = 76.7 |Apr avg record high F = 82.5 |May avg record high F = 86.2 |Jun avg record high F = 89.4 |Jul avg record high F = 91.0 |Aug avg record high F = 90.1 |Sep avg record high F = 86.9 |Oct avg record high F = 81.3 |Nov avg record high F = 73.8 |Dec avg record high F = 66.9 |year avg record high F = 92.0 |Jan avg record low F = 9.9 |Feb avg record low F = 15.5 |Mar avg record low F = 20.3 |Apr avg record low F = 29.3 |May avg record low F = 37.7 |Jun avg record low F = 49.4 |Jul avg record low F = 56.5 |Aug avg record low F = 54.5 |Sep avg record low F = 44.2 |Oct avg record low F = 30.0 |Nov avg record low F = 21.6 |Dec avg record low F = 16.3 |year avg record low F = 7.6 |Jan record low F = −16 |Feb record low F = −9 |Mar record low F = 2 |Apr record low F = 20 |May record low F = 28 |Jun record low F = 35 |Jul record low F = 44 |Aug record low F = 42 |Sep record low F = 30 |Oct record low F = 20 |Nov record low F = 1 |Dec record low F = −7 |year record low F = -16 | Jan dew point C = -3.3 | Feb dew point C = -2.7 | Mar dew point C = 1.5 | Apr dew point C = 5.4 | May dew point C = 11.6 | Jun dew point C = 16.1 | Jul dew point C = 18.5 | Aug dew point C = 18.3 | Sep dew point C = 15.2 | Oct dew point C = 8.2 | Nov dew point C = 3.1 | Dec dew point C = -0.9

|Jan record high F = 78 |Feb record high F = 79 |Mar record high F = 89 |Apr record high F = 89 |May record high F = 92 |Jun record high F = 98 |Jul record high F = 98 |Aug record high F = 96 |Sep record high F = 92 |Oct record high F = 90 |Nov record high F = 83 |Dec record high F = 78 |year record high F = 98 |Jan record low F = −22 |Feb record low F = −16 |Mar record low F = −8 |Apr record low F = 15 |May record low F = 24 |Jun record low F = 31 |Jul record low F = 40 |Aug record low F = 38 |Sep record low F = 27 |Oct record low F = 12 |Nov record low F = 0 |Dec record low F = −8 |year record low F = -22

| Jan record high F = 64 | Feb record high F = 67 | Mar record high F = 76 | Apr record high F = 77 | May record high F = 78 | Jun record high F = 81 | Jul record high F = 83 | Aug record high F = 80 | Sep record high F = 79 | Oct record high F = 74 | Nov record high F = 77 | Dec record high F = 64 | year record high F = 83

|Jan avg record high F = 53.4 |Feb avg record high F = 55.4 |Mar avg record high F = 61.8 |Apr avg record high F = 70.2 |May avg record high F = 72.3 |Jun avg record high F = 74.6 |Jul avg record high F = 76.2 |Aug avg record high F = 74.8 |Sep avg record high F = 72.8 |Oct avg record high F = 68.6 |Nov avg record high F = 61.7 |Dec avg record high F = 55.5 |year avg record high F = 76.5

|Jan avg record low F = -3.2 |Feb avg record low F = 2.7 |Mar avg record low F = 7.2 |Apr avg record low F = 18.0 |May avg record low F = 29.4 |Jun avg record low F = 42.6 |Jul avg record low F = 49.7 |Aug avg record low F = 48.8 |Sep avg record low F = 38.1 |Oct avg record low F = 23.0 |Nov avg record low F = 12.6 |Dec avg record low F = 4.7 |year avg record low F = -5.4

| Jan record low F = -18 | Feb record low F = -15 | Mar record low F = -10 | Apr record low F = 7 | May record low F = 18 | Jun record low F = 35 | Jul record low F = 44 | Aug record low F = 41 | Sep record low F = 29 | Oct record low F = 16 | Nov record low F = 3 | Dec record low F = -10 | year record low F = -17 | Jan snow depth inch = 9 | Feb snow depth inch = 9 | Mar snow depth inch = 9 | Apr snow depth inch = 4 | May snow depth inch = 0 | Jun snow depth inch = 0 | Jul snow depth inch = 0 | Aug snow depth inch = 0 | Sep snow depth inch = 0 | Oct snow depth inch = 1 | Nov snow depth inch = 3 | Dec snow depth inch = 7 | year snow depth inch = | access-date = May 11, 2021}}{{cite web | access-date = May 11, 2021}}

Notes

References

References

1. (2021-08-25). "North Carolina Gained Around 900,000 People Last Decade".
2. "Our State Geography".
3. (2018). "WCU Professor Unearths Wealth of Cherokee Culture and History". The Laurel of Asheville.
4. "High Country Host – in North Carolina".
5. Designs, AppNet. "Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Beech Mountain, Western North Carolina Guide".
6. (16 December 2013). "Main Campuses".
7. [http://www.arc.gov/index.do?nodeId=56 Appalachian Regional Commission Online Resource Center]. Retrieved: May 15, 2009.
8. "GNIS Detail – Mount Mitchell".
9. Cockrell, David L.. (2006). "East-West Rivalry".
10. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].
11. "Station: Asheville RGNL AP, NC". [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].
12. "WMO Climate Normals for ASHEVILLE/REGIONAL, NC 1961–1990". [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].
13. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]].
14. "Station: Waynesville 1 E, NC". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.