RANK #961 / 996 · POP 269,449 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -3.4%
Buncombe County, North Carolina, draws attention for its location within the Blue Ridge Mountains and its county seat, Asheville, a hub for arts and outdoor recreation. The county is characterized by diverse landscapes, from rural farmlands to urban centers. Commuting within the county often involves personal vehicles, though public transit options like Mountain Mobility and Asheville Redefines Transit (ART) are available, with some routes connecting to neighboring counties. Residents have access to extensive outdoor recreation, including hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest, scenic overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and various county parks like Lake Julian Park and the Buncombe County Sports Park. The climate is temperate, with an average snowfall of 13 inches, allowing for year-round outdoor activities.
Life in Buncombe County appeals to a mix of young professionals and retirees, with a community feel that balances natural surroundings and city amenities. The public school system, Buncombe County Schools, is the largest in Western North Carolina, serving nearly 22,000 students across 47 schools and programs. The local economy is influenced by tourism, higher education, and creative industries. Recent economic developments include investments in energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy through programs like NC C-PACE, which provides financing for commercial property owners. Additionally, there have been economic expansion announcements in manufacturing and other sectors, contributing to job growth.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Asheville Combined Cycle Station
Duke Energy
|
$817M | Operating |
|
Buncombe County Capital Improvement Plan (Various Projects)
Buncombe County Government
|
$375M | Planned |
|
Asheville Energy Complex (Solar and Battery Storage)
Duke Energy
|
$120M | Planned |
|
Ferry Road Community Development
Buncombe County Government, Urban Atlantic
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Manufacturing Expansions (Pratt & Whitney, System Logistics, BorgWarner)
Pratt & Whitney, System Logistics Corporation, BorgWarner
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Buncombe County Sports Park Improvements
Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, AstroTurf
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Buncombe County has a Boom Town Index score of 4/100, ranking #961 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.3% and a median household income of $66,531, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Buncombe County is $328,900 with median rent at $1,209/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2023, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.3%. Home values changed -4.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.45% of Buncombe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.