High up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone is a small Appalachian town with a population of roughly 20,000. This area, known as the High Country of North Carolina, is known for its rugged peaks and outdoor attractions right on the cusp of the Tennessee border. Billie Rogers, a broker with Keller Williams who has lived in the High Country for more than 30 years, says many of her clients move to Boone for its temperate climate and varied recreation. “It’s so much more relaxing up here,” she says. “There’s no traffic, only amazing views. Plus, people are just nicer — they hold open doors, and they help look for lost pets. No one ever honks their horn at you unless they know you or if you’re seriously going to cause an accident.” For many of the people moving to Boone, the slower pace of mountain life is a welcome change. However, heavy tourism and a bustling student population also mean there’s plenty to do.
Far from a remote village, Boone is also a college town and a center of commerce for the surrounding High Country. Four of the top employers in Watauga County are based in Boone: Appalachian State University, UNC Health Appalachian, Watauga County Board of Education and Samaritan’s Purse. As Rogers puts it: “If you live in the High Country, Boone is where you do your work.” Watauga Medical Center is the county’s only hospital and is operated by UNC Health Appalachian.
Boone is a popular mountain town located in North Carolina.
UNC Health Appalachian (UNCHA), in Boone, is the leader for healthcare in the High Country, is comprised of three hospitals and 13 medical practices.
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Mountain homes at peak prices
Housing in Boone skews rustic, with plenty of custom-built cabins and midcentury mountain cottages. Although not every home can have multiple acres of land, most of them feel like it, thanks to densely wooded lots set into the hillsides. Some homes are rented out seasonally, and many condos near downtown are rented to App State students. Ranch-style homes and New Traditional developments across town cater to year-round residents.
As of early 2025, the median home price in Boone was about $450,000, above the state median of $375,000. However, prices have trended downward by 6% in the past year, likely due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Homes sell in an average of 106 days after being listed on the market, significantly higher than the national average of 44 days.
Cabins and snow go hand in hand in Boone.
There are many housing types in Boone, ever near the college.
Custom cabins are found all over Boone, many rental and vacation options as well.
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Making a comeback after the devastation of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene struck Boone on September 27, 2024. In the wake of the heavy rainfall and catastrophic winds, the town witnessed previously unthinkable levels of destruction: entire homes were swept away in the floods, while others were swallowed up by sinkholes and crushed beneath landslides. “I don’t want to downplay the damage that was done during Helene. It was just devastating. No one thought it could happen more than 300 miles inland,” Rogers says. “But it’s also been amazing to watch everyone pull together to rebuild. People will go on Facebook and say, ‘You need a bridge built? Okay, we’ll be there are 3 p.m.’ The mountain lifestyle really is self-sufficient, and people take care of one another.” Though the High Country is still years away from returning to life as it was before Hurricane Helene, the area was reopened to visitors just two weeks after the hurricane made landfall, marking a major step in the road to recovery. Of the 1,200 initial road closures in Watauga County, less than 200 remain affected as of January 2025.
Rogers says the town is still reckoning with the changes in runoff post-Helene, and that unexpected flooding can occur during heavy rain when water gathers in the mountain valleys. Due to its elevation of 3,333 feet above sea level, Boone experiences above-average precipitation and has a humid continental climate, with summertime highs around 80°F and winter lows of 20°F.
Hurricanes are quite uncommon in the Boone area.
Many homes and businesses were destroyed during Hurricane Helene, especially along the rivers in Boone.
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Home of the App State Mountaineers
Watauga County Schools is based in Boone and receives an A grade from Niche, which ranks it as the No. 6 out of 116 school districts in the state. The district serves about 4,700 students and operates nine elementary schools and one high school. Of the two schools located in town, Hardin Park Elementary serves kindergarten through the eighth grade and scores an A, and Watauga High earns an A-minus.
Boone is also home to Appalachian State University, a public college in the University of North Carolina system. Around 21,000 students attend the university each year, more than doubling the town’s year-round population. The university’s football program, the Mountaineers, is the only team in the state to have won the NCAA Division I Football Championship, with three back-to-back wins between 2005 and 2007. Two of Boone’s professional sports teams, Appalachian Football Club and Bigfoots Baseball, play their home games at ASU sports facilities.
The student population of Hardin Park Elementary is 851 and the school serves grades PK-8.
On GameDay in Boone, Kidd Brewer Stadium is packed with Mountaineers fans.
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An outdoor lover’s dream near three ski resorts
While Boone has its fair share of parks with playgrounds and basketball courts, the town is famous for its range of rugged outdoor activities. “For people who are at all outdoorsy — whether that means hiking or just a lunchtime walk — this is paradise,” Rogers says. Boone is known as a ski destination in the South due to its proximity to three ski resorts: Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort and Sugar Mountain Resort. Other nearby peaks are reserved for hiking, particularly Grandfather Mountain, where one of the nation's largest Scottish Highland games events is held each July. Those who prefer to take on the trails by cycling head to Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, which has five trails of varying difficulty.
Despite its name, the New River is actually the oldest river in North America. Its southern fork zigzags through the mountainous terrain just east of Boone, flanked by the 3-mile Greenway Trail. Kayaking, fishing and tubing are all popular activities along the New River Paddle Trail. More recreation spots such as swimming lakes, golf courses and zipline parks can be found throughout the surrounding area. Some families purchase season passes to Tweetsie Railroad, a Wild West theme park whose namesake locomotive is the primary attraction.
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is a great amenity to Boone, it's just too cold and windy right now to use the pump track.
Pickleball is a booming sport in most cities, Boone is no different. Summit Pickeball always has action going on.
Appalachian Ski Mountain in Boone is a local favorite among the ski slopes.
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Dine local and celebrate Appalachian heritage
Thanks to seasonal tourism and a sizeable student population, Boone lacks little in the way of shopping and dining, unlike many other towns of similar size. “There are a lot of very wealthy people who have homes up in the mountains, which means we actually have quite a few fine dining restaurants,” Rogers says. “Now, King Street around App State is where you’ll find all your rooftop bars, live music and art galleries.” Considered Boone’s Downtown district, brewpubs, cafes and boutiques all mingle within this stretch of historic brick storefronts that maintain the look of a mountain outpost. College nightlife and all-ages entertainment can also be found close by. Admission to rotating and permanent exhibits at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is free, while the Appalachian Theater hosts film screenings and live performances. Big-box shopping centers are along the highways to the east and south of town, anchored by recognizable retailers such as Walmart, Lowes Foods, Hobby Lobby and Harris Teeter.
Since 1952, the outdoor drama “Horn in the West” has been an annual tradition that brings to life the High Country’s early settlers during the American Revolution. The Southern Appalachian Historical Association produces the play each year at Daniel Boone Amphitheater, which is adjacent to the Hickory Ridge History Museum, an educational homestead where costumed interpreters give tours and workshops. During the warmer months, the Watauga County Farmers’ Market is held on Saturday mornings in the parking lot.
F.A.R.M. Cafe, in Downtown Boone is a community favorite, especially for their charity work.
Rivers Street Ale House is a popular restaurant/bar in Boone. Tonight everyone is trying their hand at trivia.
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About a hundred miles from major North Carolina cities
City life is a ways away from this mountain town, though U.S. highways 221, 321 and 421 meet in Boone for travel throughout the Appalachians of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The scenic Blue Ridge Parkway weaves through the jagged landscape just outside of town and is one of the most-visited units of the National Park System, renowned for its unmatched views. To many residents, it’s part of their daily commute. “I’d drive the Blue Ridge Parkway every day to work in Blowing Rock, and every day I’d round a corner and gasp at the view,” Rogers says. “It never gets old when the clouds cover the tops of the mountains. We’ve got our heads in the clouds here — and I mean that literally.” The nearest regional airport is about 90 miles southwest in Ashville, while the closest international airport is 95 miles south in Charlotte. Watauga County’s public transit authority, AppalCART, operates bus routes throughout the town and the surrounding area.
AppalCART is the public transportation system that runs all through out Boone.
Charlotte, is just under 2 hours from Boone.
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Lower-than-average crime statistics
According to statistics provided by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, property crime fell by about 28% and violent crime figures remained the same between 2018 and 2023. In the same five-year span, FBI crime data shows that both violent crime and property crime in Boone were well below state and national rates.
Written By
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On average, homes in Boone, NC sell after 98 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Boone, NC over the last 12 months is $525,000, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Your 4-bedroom, 3-bath mountain home awaits! Snuggled in the midst of Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel this cozy home offers hardwood floors and a cathedral ceiling on the main level. A brick fireplace with wood insert along with kitchen, two bedrooms and a full bath. Upstairs you'll find a sitting room or office and the roomy primary en suite with hardwood floors, a fireplace, lots of closet
This magnificent 27.69 acre tract near Boone and Blowing Rock boasts exceptional views and natural water features. Just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, this property is perfect for an estate or small development, offering a private setting for a full-time residence or vacation home. With ample space for recreation and hunting, it’s ideal for a multi-generational buildout with multiple
Discover this beautiful mountain community just minutes from downtown Boone—an ideal setting to build your dream home in the High Country! With easy access off Castle Ford Road, the neighborhood offers paved roads, clearly marked lots, and gentle build sites that are excellent for a custom home or log cabin retreat. A trusted local builder is available to bring your vision to life with a
Lot 25 – Poplar Forest | 1.29 Acres with Long-Range Mountain ViewsWake up every morning to panoramic Blue Ridge views from this 1.29-acre homesite in Poplar Forest. With a gentle slope for an easy build and underground utilities already in place, Lot 25 offers the perfect canvas for your dream mountain retreat.Poplar Forest offers paved roads, underground utilities, and a peaceful
Only once in a generation does a property like this come up for sale. This centrally located Foscoe 9.19 acre property overlooks Grandfather Mountain, Grandfather Stables and the Church Road valley. Iconic mountain and valley views make for one of the High Country's most unique settings with gently sloping land. Centrally located to Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway,
Have you been dreaming of owning a new high-end mountain home—without the wait, stress, or decision fatigue of a full custom build? This under-construction retreat in Boulder Creek offers the rare opportunity to own a thoughtfully designed luxury home in one of the High Country’s desirable gated communities, with projected completion in 2026. Among dramatic boulder outcroppings and just steps
Jessica Auten
Premier Sotheby's International Realty- Banner Elk
Discover this beautiful mountain community just minutes from downtown Boone—an ideal setting to build your dream home in the High Country! With easy access off Castle Ford Road, the neighborhood offers paved roads, clearly marked lots, and gentle build sites that are excellent for a custom home or log cabin retreat. A trusted local builder is available to bring your vision to life with a
Welcome to Twin Rivers, a premier trout fishing community with neighborhood access to the Watauga River and Boone Fork Creek. Lot T-4 is a 1.22-acre build lot with flat and gentle sloping contours within this gated community. There are seasonal mountain views from the lot with a potential ridgeline view if opened up. Private well and septic are needed. This lot has an active 5-bedroom septic
Discover this beautiful mountain community just minutes from downtown Boone—an ideal setting to build your dream home in the High Country! With easy access off Castle Ford Road, the neighborhood offers paved roads, clearly marked lots, and gentle build sites that are excellent for a custom home or log cabin retreat. A trusted local builder is available to bring your vision to life with a
Discover this beautiful mountain community just minutes from downtown Boone—an ideal setting to build your dream home in the High Country! With easy access off Castle Ford Road, the neighborhood offers paved roads, clearly marked lots, and gentle build sites that are excellent for a custom home or log cabin retreat. A trusted local builder is available to bring your vision to life with a
Homesite #1313 — Reynolds Parkway (Blue Ridge Mountain Club): A wooded homesite with sweeping mountain views. Tucked into the tranquil landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Homesite #1313 offers the perfect balance of privacy and panorama. Mature trees frame the property, creating a natural, wooded buffer while the sloping topography reveals broad, long-range mountain views — especially
Discover this beautiful mountain community just minutes from downtown Boone—an ideal setting to build your dream home in the High Country! With easy access off Castle Ford Road, the neighborhood offers paved roads, clearly marked lots, and gentle build sites that are excellent for a custom home or log cabin retreat. A trusted local builder is available to bring your vision to life with a
Spacious 1 Bedroom/1 Bath upstairs apartment for rent immediately. Apartment is approx. 1,000 sq. ft. and conveniently located to Appalachian State University, downtown Boone, restaurants, shopping and more! AppalCart stop is only steps away. Apartment has new paint, carpet, vinyl plank flooring, new kitchen range and window blinds. Rent is $1,200 per month plus utilities, and a year's lease is
Welcome to Highpointe, the ultimate off-campus student living experience near App State. Conveniently located close to campus, Highpointe offers a unique twist on college living with its cottage-style apartments. Our community features modern amenities and spacious 1-, 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom apartments with exceptional features. Enjoy a reimagined clubhouse featuring upgraded fitness centers, new
Three bedroom unfinished home for rent. 2-Car garage attached and heated with natural gas. There is a tenant renting the basement apartment. Please call Brian Smith for showings at 828-773-7777.
Welcome to Boone Student Living, off-campus student housing near App State, completely redefined. Conveniently located near campus, Boone Student Living offers four great locations with a variety of floor plans, spacious layouts, modern amenities, awesome perks, and beautiful mountain views. Our location options include: Highland Crossing, Greenway Cove, Greenway Commons and Glen Wilde! One of
Conveniently located within one mile of Watauga Medical Center, offering strong visibility and accessibility in a desirable professional area. Beautifully updated office condominium with excellent layout and flexibility for a variety of medical or professional uses. The space includes eleven separate exam rooms or offices, four of which are currently plumbed. Features include a large waiting
Mountaineer Village offers off-campus student living in Boone, North Carolina, located near Appalachian State University. Our 3-bedroom pet-friendly apartments feature energy-efficient appliances, fully equipped kitchens, hardwood floors, in-unit washer and dryers, and so much more. At Mountaineer Village, residents enjoy a convenient location near App State University. Within our
Location! Location! Location! Located in the heart of downtown Boone, these highly desirable condos are now available for lease. Walk to ASU campus, restaurants, and shopping. All the units are 2 bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Each unit is unfurnished with various floor coverings and finishes. All have refrigerator, built-in microwave, HVAC (heating/air), dishwasher, disposal, and washer/dryer.
The Village of Meadowview is an off-campus student apartment community conveniently located just 5 minutes from Appalachian State University and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Boone, NC. We are also only a few streets away from plenty of shopping and dining. The Village of Meadowview offers 2 and 3-bedroom floor plans. Our off-campus student apartments
Unit 11 is available at Heritage Court offering high visibility, easy access and plenty of parking! 5-year lease is required. Lessor is offering one month's Free Rent to Lessee for renovations. Lessee isresponsible for utilities. No hair salon, nail salon, restaurant.
Overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains at Hampton Estates, a community of standalone townhomes located in East Boone. Built in 2022, these 3 Bed/2.5 Bathroom homes offer dark luxury vinyl plank flooring, high-end finishes, modern fixtures, private parking, and stone fireplaces. These are jointly leased and zoned R-1, meaning a max of two unrelated people are permitted. Property is pet friendly with
NEED A COLLEGE RENTAL IN BOONE?? This one is for you! GREAT BOONE LOCATION!!! College Place apartments in Boone!! 2nd floor apartment!! If you need a apartment for your college student, this is the one! This nice 2 BR 2 BA apartments is near the college. Open floor plan with kitchen and living room and space for dining. Walking distance to restaurants and shopping. Water/sewer/trash/lawncare and
Pam WhiteAllison & White Property Management & Realty
Spacious 3BR/3BA Condo – Near App State + Outdoor Adventure!Comfort Meets ConvenienceWell-maintained 3BR/3BA condo on East King Street—just minutes from App State, shopping, dining, and top outdoor spots!Private Baths for AllEach bedroom has its own bathroom—perfect for roommates or anyone who wants extra privacy.Close to Everything5-min drive to Rocky Knob
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