About the Asheville Area

About the Buncombe County Area

Asheville

Buncombe County was officially formed in 1792. Originally Buncombe County lay within Cherokee country, but when the area became dominated by European settlers the Cherokee population seriously depleted due to diseases.

Asheville, the county seat of Buncombe County was first named Morristown and was established on a plateau where two old Indian trails crossed. In 1797 it was incorporated and renamed Asheville after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe. The city of Asheville was officially Established as a city in 1883.

Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina and located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the union of the Swannanoa and the French Broad Rivers.

The famous, scenic Blue Ridge Parkway runs through Asheville and near the Biltmore Estates, the largest private home in the United States.

Come visit Asheville today and find out why Modern Maturity named Asheville one of “The 50 Most Alive Places To Be”, and Self magazine labeled it the “Happiest City for Women”.

There are over 100 antique shops in downtown Asheville, Biltmore Village and Black Mountain.

Go hiking on one of 75 trails in the area. A short distance from Asheville is Mount Mitchell, highest point east of the Mississippi River.

America’s largest home The Biltmore Estate is located in historic Biltmore Village.

We’re proud of our 14 challenging golf courses in the Asheville area.

Located just north on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the famous Folk Art Center where many hands-on craft workshops and demonstrations can be found almost anytime of the year.

• Average Elevation- 2165 ft at the Asheville Regional Airport

• Average Annual Precipitation- 47.07 inches

• Average Annual Snowfall- 14.9 inches

• Average January Daily Temperature- 35.7º F

• Average July Daily Temperature- 72.8º F

• Asheville (City) area – 41.3 Square Mile

• Buncombe County- 220,159

• City of Asheville- 72,789