Crumpler is a bucolic North Carolina community
Rural roads cordoned by trees and farmland wind throughout Crumpler, a North Carolina community less than 10 miles from the Virginia state line. The pastoral landscape and spread-out homes are the main appeals of the area, where acreage and outdoor amenities abound. “The beauty of Crumpler is it’s just more open land,” says Andrea Witherspoon, a broker and owner of Regency Properties and Regency on the Lake, who adds that there are views of the countryside. “It’s just a nice community located off one of our major highways, Highway 16, that runs through northwest North Carolina.” The town of Jefferson offers an array of restaurants, stores and events for the surrounding area about 10 miles south, making it convenient for Crumpler residents.
Homes on acreage in northwestern North Carolina
Ranch-style homes, farmhouses and cottages are among the architectural styles in Crumpler. Many properties are on an acre or more, and some can sit on multiple acres. “Homes are more spread out,” Witherspoon says. “Crumpler is an older community, so houses in Crumpler tend to have more land with them because they’re not in a closer town. Single-family homes typically cost between $200,000 and $300,000, but prices can extend to around $1 million depending on acreage. Manufactured homes are usually between $160,000 and $250,000, and land sales can range from $20,000 up to $400,000.
Outdoor recreation at North Carolina and Virginia state parks
Crumpler is within driving distance of several state parks. On the North Fork New River, canoers and kayaks can paddle watercraft, and outdoor enthusiasts can also fish and swim or hike along the banks. The nearby New River State Park spans more than 3,000 acres with miles of hiking trails. Less than 15 miles south, hikers can take in views, which sometimes reach Tennessee, from atop Mount Jefferson. Across the state line, Grayson Highlands State Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offer more recreation, including close to 500 miles of trails in the latter.
Crumpler students enroll at Ashe County Schools
Ashe County Schools serves the area and earns a B-plus rating from Niche. Kids can start out at Blue Ridge Elementary School, which also gets a B-plus and spans kindergarten through sixth grade. Ashe County Middle School receives an A-minus, and Ashe County High School has a B-minus. Ashe County Schools earned state recognition from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association in 2023.
Residents need personal vehicles to travel around North Carolina
With no public transportation in the rural community, Crumpler residents need personal vehicles to get around. North Carolina Route 16 runs through the west side of Crumpler, linking it with Jefferson about 10 miles south. Access to Interstate 74 is around 50 miles to the east. North Wilkesboro is around 40 miles south. Charlotte and Greensboro are each more than 100 miles away, as does Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The closest major medical center is Ashe Memorial Hospital, around 10 miles south in Jefferson.
Shopping and dining in West Jefferson
Most Crumpler residents head south to West Jefferson to dine out and shop. “The downtown area of West Jefferson is really, really growing,” Witherspoon says. Ashe County Cheese Plant has been in business since 1930 and is one of the area’s most popular stops. North Jefferson Avenue is lined with local restaurants, including Black Jack’s Pub & Grill and New River Brewing Ale House. The Boondocks Restaurant and Bohemia Coffee House also sit along the thoroughfare. Old Barn Winery & Vineyards has live music. Shoppers typically go to Food Lion and Walmart in Jefferson, each less than 15 miles south.
Holiday events mark the winter season near Crumpler
The West Jefferson community puts on local events throughout the year. “There are events all the time,” Witherspoon says. “We have the lighting of the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, and that brings out a lot of people, and it’s a shop-small-town-business day, so tons of people are in town.” Live music and a visit from Santa accompany the tree lighting, and about 15 miles south of Crumpler residents can go to Frosty’s Choose and Cut for their own tree.
