Ashe County NC is truly a special place…a destination in and of itself. Located in the
Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the far most northwestern corner of the state away from traffic and city congestion, it is a haven for retirement and second-home buyers. 
The people of Ashe County are friendly mountain folks who welcome newcomers to the area. They are a self-reliant people, who have a deep respect for their neighbor and expect the same in return. They value their Appalachia culture and down through generations have kept their mountain traditions alive through their music and story-telling. They readily adapt to change and new endeavors with enthusiasm and anticipation.
Ashe County citizens are involved with their children. And, this is evident as they proudly spend more per student than the North Carolina average. Ashe County Schools maintain a low drop-out rate and their SAT scores far exceed the state average and the national level.
Music festivals and art shows are constant in all seasons – anywhere people gather you will find music whether it’s traditional mountain music, contemporary or chamber music. The Ashe County Arts Council is very active in the community cultivating and enhancing the cultural life in the region. Ashe County has its own Civic Center – and is home to Ashe County Little Theatre.
Thousands of people come to visit the frescos in Ashe County. Internationally renowned Artist Ben Long, painted his first fresco in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in West Jefferson. A year later, he painted a life size depiction of The Last Supper in the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs.
There are two golf courses in Ashe County, and several more within a 30-minute drive. The famed Blue Ridge Parkway makes its way through the county offering hiking trails, picnicking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities. The historical New River is great for canoeing, rafting and fishing, native trout streams for fishing are only a few of the many outdoor activities Ashe County has to offer. You could spend a lifetime in the area and each day meet with new and interesting things to do.
Ashe County it is also a spring board to nearby area activities. The Boone and Blowing Rock areas are as close as 20-25 minutes away for those who enjoy skiing or sporting events. For those interested in continuing education, the opportunity lies in a short distance away at Appalachian State University or the Community College in Ashe County, or Wilkesboro. For those interested in the arts, the Florence Thomas Art School is also located in Downtown West Jefferson.
Ashe County has four distinct seasons. The high elevations (5,100 feet at highest elevation) provide nice cool summers, beautiful autumns, mild winter snows, and a refreshing new beginning in spring. Ashe County encompasses approximately 427 square miles of diverse terrain from farm land at 2,300 feet in elevation to 5,500 feet on mountain tops. There are approximately 27,097 full-time residents as of 2012.
During the summer months, this number increases as Ashe County becomes home for many summer residents who spend summers in the cool mountain breezes of the North Carolina Mountains.
Ashe County is easily accessible to the surrounding cities: Charlotte is only 2-hours away. Winston-Salem – Greensboro is only 1.5 hours away. Raleigh-Durham and the Tri-Cities are easy access to and from Ashe County.
Contact A1 Mountain Realty for your NC Real Estate needs. Come to our area of the High County and experience the charm of untouched Blue Ridge Mountain beauty. You’ll find all types of Real Estate in Western North Carolina, lots and land for sale to create your own private mountain retreat near the New River, Blue Ridge Parkway, or any of the fabulous golf courses in the area. Be sure to check out our website www.a1mountainrealty.com and browse our listings or do a MLS search for any property in the High Country region. While on our site be sure to check out our recently installed webcam, just click on the Downtown West Jefferson Webcam and you'll be able to see the downtown area and the beautiful towering Mt. Jefferson.
If you live here…there is no other place more special. If you happen to visit here…you will leave knowing that Ashe County is a great place to live.
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