Last modified on 2020-06-20

High Country of North Carolina Mountains

North Carolina’s northwestern corner in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains is where you will find North Carolina High Country.  Also known as the High South. The High Country of North Carolina consists of 7-couties; Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. 

Each county has its own towns and attributes, but the entire area offers unparalleled natural beauty and is famous for having four distinct seasons. The comfortable summer temperatures are gentle with little humidity – the mornings are cool, while the summer days average mid-80’s with cool summer breezes. The wintertime months are mild for the mountains with temperatures averaging 32 degrees Fahrenheit and snowfall totals can fluctuate throughout the High Country with a 28-inch average annually.

Higher Elevation Towns are only a small part of the High Country.

Beech Mountain, NC

Beech Mountain, found in both Watauga and Avery County at an elevation of 5,506 feet, is the highest elevation east of Mississippi. It is the town that gets an average snow fall of 47 inches, the most snow fall in the North Carolina Mountains.  It is home to Beech Mountain Ski Resort, offering many winter sports.  The population of Beach Mountain is 519.  The average age of residents in Beech Mountain is 65 years of age.  

Boone, NC

Boone is the largest town in the High Country with a population of 18,493 and is home to Appalachian State University.

The town, (named for American Pioneer, Daniel Boone) is a college town; the average age of the town’s population is 21.5.  Property values average $268,200. Boone offers a variety of things to do and is home to Appalachian State University.  Boone’s elevation is 3,333 downtown, and typically received 35 inches of snowfall annually. Access to major cities by 4-lane roads and interstate – Charlotte, 83 miles, and 172 miles to Raleigh.  If you like living in a collage town, Boone is the place for you.

Blowing Rock, NC

 Blowing Rock is a well-known resort and tourist town since the 1920’s.  Property values average $533,200.  The population is 1,515 with a median age of 60.6; elevation 3,566 feet above sea level with average annual snowfall of 34-inches. During the summer months, tourist from many regions of the south come to Blowing Rock to enjoy the town’s shops and eateries.

West Jefferson, NC. 

Of the three towns in Ashe County, West Jefferson’s is the largest. The town’s population is 1,313 with the larger population living in the suburbs of the town.

As you approach West Jefferson, you will see Mt. Jefferson State Park towering 1,600 feet over the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson. The park consists of 1,154 acres of natural area at an elevation of 4,665 feet above sea level.  The park’s hiking trails, picnic areas and overlooks is easy access by a state road to the top of the mountain.

West Jefferson within the last 30 years has evolved into a destination.  The downtown has a designated art district with painted murals on buildings throughout the town.  There are 17 art galleries, a vast choice of restaurants, coffee shops, an art deco theater. Some additional things of interest you will find downtown is the well-known Ashe County Cheese Plant, Boondocks Brewing Tap Room and Restaurant, Florence Thomas Art School, a fresh air Farmers Market and a variety of unique stores offering exceptional shopping.  

Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, the downtown, along with private individuals, engaged in a renovation of West Jefferson which took several years.  During the renovations, the owners of buildings updated their storefronts, power lines were placed underground, green spaces created, a backstreet park with a music venue. The entire town became pedestrian friendly with painted murals welcoming visitors and retirees to the town.

Due to its proximity, West Jefferson is the springboard to the entire High County.

Banner Elk, NC

Banner Elk is a charming mountain village and sits among North Carolina Mountain’s ski regions.  It is home to Lees-McRae College.  The elevation is 3,701 with a population of 1,019; the average age is 21.5 and the town is in Avery County.  

Sparta, NC

Sparta is in Alleghany County.  The elevation is 2,727 feet above sea level and has a population of 1,725.   With rolling hills and farmland, Sparta is a step-back in time.: A laid-back small town with friendly people and offers a quieter lifestyle.  The New River flows through Alleghany County as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

 Wilkesboro, NC

Wilkesboro is the county seat for Wilkes County and borders the town of North Wilkesboro.  The elevation of Wilkesboro is 1,047 with a population of 3,498.  North Wilkesboro’s elevation is 988, with a population of 4,245. 

The towns, found at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offer many places to shop and a variety of activities.  The landscape of Wilkes County is wide-ranging and borders Ashe County is the mountainous region.   

Relocating to the High Country is common for its many attractions and offers unequalled natural beauty and fantastic panoramic mountain views that change with the seasons. The Blue Ridge Parkway enters North Carolina’s High Country in Sparta and continues with access points to West Jefferson, Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk.  The famed New River flows through Ashe and Alleghany Counties, and a part of Watauga. 

For more detailed information on each town and the activities of each county, please visit High Country Host.