Drexel is a tight-knit community hoping to draw new industry
Mountain peaks rise over the horizon in Drexel, a small Burke County town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains that once ran on a single industry. “Drexel Heritage was one of the major furniture manufacturers until it closed in the 1990s,” says Chris Getty, a native of neighboring Morganton and Realtor with eXp Realty Mooresville. “A lot of those craftsmen were out of work,” says Gettys, who describes the community today as an in-between town. “You live there, but you don’t do much there.” However, Drexel leaders are hoping to breathe new life into the town by redeveloping the historic lot into a modern industrial site, complete with rail access. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, fewer than 1,800 people call Drexel home, a number that’s steadily dropped since a peak of around 1,900 in 2000. For those who live here, the community offers a small-town atmosphere and hosts a beloved fair, while nearby highways put residents in reach of larger cities and popular attractions like Lake Rhodhiss and South Mountains State Park, all with comparatively affordable home prices.
Single-family homes close to Morganton for less than the national median
The median price for a single-family home in Drexel is around $230,000, significantly below the national median. Early 20th-century bungalows and cottages fill blocks close to the town center, while midcentury ranch-style homes are spread out on country roads farther out. Prices for these homes start at around $225,000 and go up to about $300,000. Spacious Colonial Revivals, split-levels and brick traditional homes rest in the town’s wooded far west end, where prices typically range from $400,000 to $625,000.
Green spaces in town and outdoor adventure close by
Drexel has one public park, Downtown Drexel Park, which features an amphitheater and a short walking path. The R.O. Huffman Center is nearby, providing youth programming and exercise classes. The grounds are home to a playground, tennis courts and a baseball field. Lake Rhodhiss, one of several lakes in the Catawba River Valley, is to the north. “People like to get out and enjoy a boat ride, waterskiing and tubing. Lake Rhodhiss is also a big fishing lake,” Gettys says. The Huffman Bridge Access Area offers a place to launch kayaks and small boats. It’s also a popular spot for shore fishing. Larger vessels can access the water at the Castle Bridge Boat Access, about 7 miles away. “You can boat and go fishing year-round here,” says Robin Zema, the owner of Zema Realty Group, who lives nearby in Hickory. “You’ll see people out on boats even when it’s 30 degrees.” South Mountains State Park is to the south, offering hiking, scenic vistas and backcountry campsites.
Family-friendly fun at the Drexel Community Fair
This normally quiet town lights up with excitement for the week-long Drexel Community Fair, which draws in visitors from around the region. Held each August since 1950, the fair features classic carnival rides and games, food vendors serving up funnel cakes and fried Oreos, and agricultural exhibitions. After sunset, live bands offer entertainment before fireworks cap off each night.
Highly rated public schools in town and a community college close by
Burke County Public Schools receives an A-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has around 12,000 students and 27 schools, three of which serve all of Drexel. A gazebo stands in the central courtyard at Drexel Elementary, which earns a B-minus rating. Heritage Middle gets an A-minus, while Jimmy C. Draughn High receives a B-plus. Drexel is also home to the district’s alternative school, Hallyburton Academy, which Niche does not yet rate. Western Piedmont Community College is less than 10 miles away in Morganton.
Shopping and dining options in and around Drexel
A few businesses and Appalachian Medical Health and Wellness sit between vacant storefronts along Main Street in the town center. The family-owned Nynas House recently opened and serves Southern comfort food in its relaxed dining space adorned with family photos. More restaurants, offering American and Mexican fare, line U.S. Highway 70 outside of town. Housed in a former auto shop, Dirty Dog Coffee is a beloved spot to relax with friends over lattes. Food Lion is nearby in Valdese, but for larger shopping trips, Morganton offers national retailers and department stores at the Morganton Heights shopping mall.
Drexel has highways close by for commutes across Western North Carolina
As a rural community, Drexel is primarily car-dependent. U.S. Highway 70 is directly south of town for trips to Morganton. The city is about 6 miles away and is the site of UNC Health Blue Ridge – Morganton, one of the closest hospitals. Interstate 40 is about 3 miles away and leads to Charlotte, home to Charlotte Douglas International, roughly 70 miles away. Greenway Public Transportation/ Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority offers limited bus service, with five stops around town.
