Barnardsville is a rural community hit hard by Hurricane Helene
Barnardsville is a western North Carolina destination nestled amid the Blue Ridge Mountains about 20 miles from Asheville. This sparsely populated community of around 500 is not exactly a one-horse town – it has a post office, a fire department and a well-rated elementary school – but it does offer a peaceful country setting. Residents have demonstrated their small-town spirit in the wake of major flooding and mudslides from Hurricane Helene in late September 2024. “They were hammered by the hurricane,” says Marie Reed, a former resident who now works for Keller Williams Professionals Realty. “We did volunteer work out there, and a lot of people affiliated with my church are still helping to rebuild the community.”
Acreage homes amid the countryside are common
The community offers a diverse mix of housing options, and the one thing they have in common is space. Even homes that are built closer together in the heart of town offer spacious lots. More common, however, are acreage homes along country roads spread out among the community’s farmland. Mountain views are a common feature. Several homes offer extra seclusion on wooden lots set far back from the road. Prices vary widely, as options range from small, older homes to larger contemporary homes with plenty of land. Smaller homes can sell for as little as the low $100,000s, while large acreage homes can sell for $1 million-plus. “Most of the people selling are locals,” Reed says. “New people are moving in, but a lot of the people from Barnardsville are still there.” Residents typically enjoy comfortable springs, mild summers and crisp falls. Winters are relatively cold for the region and snow is not uncommon.
Community activity centers around Big Ivy Historical Park
Big Ivy Historical Park is a featured attraction along Dillingham Road in the heart of the community. The park includes historical buildings and artifacts related to the community’s founding by the Dillingham family, and its subsequent growth. Its recreational amenities are anchored by a pool, which Reed remembers growing up in the 1980s. The Big Ivy Community Center, which traces its roots to the 1970s, has played an integral part in helping Barnardsville get back on its feet after the hurricane. It currently partners with local farms for a food pantry three days a week, and it is affiliated with the seasonal farmers market in nearby Weaverville. The center also hosts community events such as the Fourth of July celebration. Big Ivy Creek runs through the community and is a popular spot for trout fishing. Nearby Pisgah National Forest offers more rural recreation, including hiking and biking. Douglas Falls, a waterfall fed by the Cane River, is a popular attraction within the forest.
Barnardsville Elementary is an above-average school.
The community is served by Buncombe County Schools, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Barnardsville Elementary is a B-rated school that reopened in 1994 after it had closed for a few years as part of district consolidation. It serves about 100 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The three other schools in the pipeline are rated between A-minus and B.
Secluded but still convenient to shopping and dining
“There’s no grocery store, not even a stoplight,” Reed says. “It’s still very rural.” Shopping and dining requires a drive into Weaverville about 10 miles away. Big-box retailers anchor shopping centers conveniently concentrated around Interstate 26 in Weaverville, and Main Street offers boutique shops and restaurants. “If you want to feel like you’re out in the country yet convenient to town, you go to Barnardsville,” Reed says. Additional shopping and dining options are available in Asheville, which is known for its trendy downtown district.
Interstate 26 is nearby
North Carolina Highway 197, known locally as Barnardsville Highway, connects to I-26 about 6 miles west. The interstate provides a direct route to Asheville. Mission Hospital and a VA Medical Center are in Asheville. The city’s regional airport is a little more than a 30-mile drive via I-26. Residents can also catch Interstate 40 in Asheville.
The community’s Cap Index Crime Score of 1 signifies an area with the lowest possible crime rate.
Written By
Matt Pallister
