Penrose is a rural enclave near hiking and water recreation
In the valley of the French Broad River sits Penrose, a rural Western North Carolina community on the doorstep of two popular hiking areas. “It’s not crowded,” says Christy Voso, who lives in Penrose and is a broker with Petit Properties. “You’ve got a lot of farmland because the French Broad River flows through the area, so there’s a lot of land that can't be developed. It’ll remain rural.” The French Broad River is only one reason why outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to this area; the others include Dupont State Recreational Forest and Pisgah National Forest. Penrose has a secluded feel, but stores and restaurants in Brevard are around 7 miles away.
Penrose is a rural community in western North Carolina.
The French Broad River offers great summer fun for Penrose residents.
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Outdoor recreation in forests and the French Broad River
“The biggest draw is mountain biking and hiking because it’s really close to Dupont State Recreational Forest and Pisgah National Forest,” Voso says. DuPont has over 80 miles of mountain trails that are known for their waterfalls, some of which were featured in movies like “The Hunger Games” and “The Last of the Mohicans.” Pisgah also has hiking trails and is home to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic road that runs the length of the Blue Ridge Mountains and leads to some of the area’s most popular hikes. The French Broad River is known for fly fishing, tubing and paddle sports.
Penrose residents enjoy the bike friendly roads in the area.
There are many great hiking trails at the Pisgah National Forest, near Penrose, NC.
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Ranch-style homes with pasture and mountain views
Houses near Crab Creek and the French Broad River sit in a pasture-filled valley where ranch-style homes have views of the surrounding mountains. On average, properties are around a half-acre, though some are over 5 acres. The rest of Penrose is mountainous, and narrow, steep roads lead to cabin-style homes with peaked ceilings, exposed rafters and wood interiors. These often have views of the surrounding ranges and valley below, and they are usually on forested lots that give privacy from neighbors. Prices typically range from around $370,000 to $750,000. Manufactured houses can cost between $200,000 and $460,000, and undeveloped land usually ranges from around $20,000 to $220,000.
Some homes sit on elevated plots of land in Penrose.
Manufactured houses make up a large percentage of properties in Penrose.
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The annual DuPont Forest Festival
On National Public Lands Day each September, nature lovers head to DuPont State Recreational Forest for the DuPont Forest Festival. The event has food trucks and yoga sessions at the Guion Farm Area, and the volunteer group Friends of DuPont Forest hosts group hikes and bike rides.
There are also plenty of food trucks in Penrose, NC.
The Dupont State Forest is a common destination for locals and visitors near Penrose.
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Stores and restaurants are a short drive away
Penrose is a residential area a short drive from amenities. Dollar General on U.S. Route 64 is the closest place for groceries, but there are more options a few miles away where Route 64 meets U.S. Route 276. Here, Hawg Wild Smokehouse & Taproom serves barbecue plates and sandwiches, while Sora Japanese Restaurant offers sushi and bento boxes. The Hub is a locally owned spot for bikes and outdoor gear. Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement are also close. Grocery stores like Ingles Market and Aldi are in Brevard.
Sora and Hawg Wild offer great eateries just outside of Penrose.
Penrose residents can buy outdoor equipment and gear at the Hub.
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B-rated public schools and a sought-after charter school
Kids can attend Pisgah Forest Elementary, which receives a B-minus from Niche, and then go to Brevard Middle, which receives a B. The A-minus-rated Brevard Academy nearby is an alternative option for elementary and middle schoolers. This public charter school has a lottery system for enrollment. At the B-plus-rated Brevard High, students can join extracurriculars like The Broadcaster, a student-run newspaper that’s been published since 1941.
Pisgah Forest Elementary offers and education to Pre-K and Elementary grades in Penrose, NC.
Students living in Penrose can attend Brevard Middle School.
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Routes to amenities in Brevard and Asheville
Crab Creek Road is Penrose’s main thoroughfare, and U.S. Route 64 is nearby. Brevard is about 7 miles away, and Asheville is a 32-mile drive. Houses of worship here include Holly Springs Baptist Church and Little River Baptist Church. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Transylvania Regional Hospital is around 5 miles away, and Asheville Regional Airport is a 16-mile trip.
Flooding risk in the bottomlands and Hurricane Helene’s impact
The valley near the French Broad River and Crab Creek is at risk for flooding. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused significant flooding here that submerged roads and flooded homes. “All of the bottomlands were flooded, and there were some homes that did flood,” Voso says. “We had some mudslides that no one was anticipating, but everybody's okay.”
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Beautifully Updated 3BR/2BA Home on Private Wooded Lot Near Dupont & Pisgah ForestsWelcome to your dream mountain retreat! This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a spacious bonus room offers 2,137 square feet of beautifully updated living space nestled on a wooded, private lot just minutes from Dupont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest.Step inside to find brand-new flooring,
Tranquil and scenic Carolina mountain top living is what you will find here! This 1+ acre level to gentle sloping lot in private Dogwood Mountain Estates is an excellent opportunity to build your forever, or a vacation home. Underground electric is already installed. Approximately 3300 ft above sea level. Located just minutes from DuPontState Forest, and the Oscar Blues Ranch as well as
Discover comfort and convenience at 192 Lady Bug Lane, a well-kept 2BR/2BA home in peaceful Penrose. Set on a gently sloping, easy-to-maintain lot just minutes from DuPont and Pisgah Forests, this home offers easy access to world-class trails, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation. Recent updates include a new roof, new water heater, refreshed deck, and an access ramp for added functionality.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amanda Jennings Gravley,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,210
Median Age
47
Population under 18
21.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$56,759
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$62,816
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.6%
College Graduates
34.8%
Advanced Degrees
5.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
51.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
46''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
84°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
