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Asheville, NC

Frequently asked questions

Asheville, NC

Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Located at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, it is the most populous city in Western North Carolina, and the state's 11th-most-populous city. According to the 2020 census, the city's population was 94,589,up from 83,393 in the 2010 census. It is the principal city in the three-county Asheville metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 417,202 in 2023.

Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 45.86 square miles (118.8 km²), of which 45.47 square miles (117.8 km²) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km²) (0.85%) is water. Asheville is 68.44 miles west of Hickory, 99.51 northwest of Charlotte, and 133.84 miles southwest of Winston-Salem.

Before the arrival of the Europeans, the land where Asheville now exists lay within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation, which had homelands in modern western North and South Carolina, southeastern Tennessee, and northeastern Georgia. A town at the site of the river confluence was recorded as Guaxule by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto during his 1540 expedition through this area. His expedition comprised the first European visitors, who carried endemic Eurasian infectious diseases that killed many in the native population.

European Americans began to settle in the area of Asheville in 1784, after the United States gained independence in the American Revolutionary War. In that year, Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family settled in the Swannanoa Valley, redeeming a soldier's land grant from the state of North Carolina made in lieu of pay. Soon after building a log cabin at the bank of Christian Creek, Davidson was lured into the woods and killed by a band of Cherokee hunters resisting white encroachment. Davidson's wife, child, and female slave fled on foot overnight to Davidson's Fort (named after Davidson's father General John Davidson) 16 miles away.

The U.S. Census of 1790 counted 1,000 residents of the area, excluding the Cherokee Native Americans as a separate nation. Buncombe County was officially formed in 1792. In the 1800 US Census, some 107 settlers in the county were slaveholders, owning a total of 300 slaves. Total county population was 5,812.

The county seat, named "Morristown" in 1793, was established on a plateau where two Indian trails crossed. In 1797, Morristown was incorporated and renamed "Asheville" after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe.

In the realm of health and wellness, Asheville stands out as a haven for those seeking a holistic lifestyle. Mission Hospital is a leading healthcare facility known for its commitment to providing high-quality medical services to the community. With state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, Mission Hospital offers a wide range of medical specialties and treatment options to meet the diverse healthcare needs of patients in Asheville and the surrounding areas. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Asheville Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include  Underground Fitness, Anytime Fitness and Biltmore Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Asheville, such as the Richmond Hill Park Trail and Shope Creek Road Loop. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Asheville, NC are Biltmore, Asheville Pinball Museum, Western North Carolina Nature Center, and The North Carolina Arboretum.

Population: 95,056 (2023). ZIP codes: 28801–28806, 28810, 28813–28816. Area code: 828. Elevation: 2,134 ft (650 m). Area: 45.86 sq mi (118.76 km²).

FAQs

What is Asheville, NC most known for?

Known as an art colony, a healing resort and a home to notable luminaries, statesmen and bohemians, Asheville is one of the most welcoming, vibrant cities in America. It's that type of unique, special place that lingers sweetly in your mind and memories for years to come. This thriving mountain city features a funky and eclectic city center, 30-plus art galleries downtown alone, an award-winning culinary scene, a thriving live music community and, of course, the awe-inspiring scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains all around.

Is Asheville, NC expensive to live in?

The cost of living in Asheville, NC is 3% higher than the state average and 2% lower than the national average. Asheville, NC housing is 5% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 7% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 0% in Asheville, NC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 0%. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 10% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 0% in Asheville, NC.

What is the crime rate in Asheville, NC?

With a crime rate of 61 per one thousand residents, Asheville has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 16. Within North Carolina, more than 97% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Asheville. In fact, after researching dangerous places to live, NeighborhoodScout found Asheville to be one of the top 100 most dangerous cities in the U.S.A.

Sources

Wikipedia

The City of Asheville

Mission Hospital 

Asheville Parks and Recreation Department 

Underground Fitness

Anytime Fitness 

Biltmore Fitness

Richmond Hill Park Trail 

Shope Creek Road Loop

Biltmore 

Asheville Pinball Museum 

Western North Carolina Nature Center

The North Carolina Arboretum

Explore Asheville

RentCafe

NeighborhoodScout

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.