Drexel offers small-town living near Lake Rhodhiss
Mountain peaks rise over the horizon in Drexel, a small Burke County town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, a tight-knit community of families and retirees enjoys a relaxed pace of living between the larger cities of Morganton and Hickory. The town, known for its furniture manufacturing history and long-running Drexel Community Fair, has a mix of single-family homes and a few local spots to grab coffee or a meal. A community center and a small downtown park offer recreation, and popular attractions like Lake Rhodhiss are a short drive away. Highways connect commuters to top employers, and students can attend highly rated public schools.
A variety of home styles at enticing prices
With detached homes starting in the mid-$100,000s and peaking in the lower $500,000s, Drexel is comparatively more affordable than neighboring Morganton, where home prices can exceed $1 million. 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. Spacious Colonial Revivals, split-levels and brick traditional homes rest in the town’s wooded west end. There are also townhouses from the low $200,000s to the upper $200,000s.
Students can attend highly rated Burke County schools
The town is within the highly rated Burke County Public Schools district, which has about 12,000 students across 27 schools. Children and teens can go to Drexel Elementary School, Heritage Middle School and Jimmy C. Draughn High School, all of which earn high marks. The district also has a few schools with magnet programs, such as Forest Hill Elementary, which has a Dual Language Immersion program. However, transfers are limited and based on available space. The private Christ Classical Academy is a nearby private option in Connelly Springs.
Small‑town spots for eating out, staying active and enjoying nature
Drexel is primarily residential, but there are still a few things you can do in town. You can get a plate of Southern comfort food at the family-owned Nynas House, or enjoy a latte with friends at Dirty Dog Coffee. The neatly landscaped Downtown Drexel Park is a good spot for a picnic or a short stroll, and the R.O. Huffman Center is where you can take an exercise class or drop the kids off for basketball or baseball practice. Lake Rhodhiss, one of several lakes in the Catawba River Valley, is a few miles away. “People like to get out and enjoy a boat ride, waterskiing and tubing. Lake Rhodhiss is also a big fishing lake,” says Chris Gettys, a Realtor with eXp Realty Mooresville. South Mountains State Park is to the south, offering hiking, scenic vistas and backcountry campsites. The town also has annual events, such as the week-long Drexel Community Fair, held each August since 1950.
Highway access makes it easy to reach larger cities
With a Walk Score of 14 out of 100, this is a rural town where you’ll need a car for daily life. Luckily, U.S. Route 70 and Interstate 40 are close by to reach larger cities, such as:
Morganton, which is about 6 miles or 10 minutes away
Hickory, which is about 20 miles or 25 minutes away
- Asheville, which is a little over 60 miles or 60 minutes away
- Charlotte, which is less than 75 miles or 1 hour and 20 minutes away
Greenway Public Transportation/Western Piedmont Regional Transit Authority offers limited bus service, with five stops around town.
Major employers are less than 10 miles away
Drexel once had a strong presence in the furniture industry. “Drexel Heritage was one of the major furniture manufacturers until it closed in the 1990s,” Gettys says. “A lot of those craftsmen were out of work.” Today, the town is more of a bedroom community, with residents often commuting elsewhere for work. Top Burke County employers are within 10 miles, including:
UNC Health Blue Ridge, which is a full-service hospital in Morganton
Valdese Weavers, which is a textile manufacturer in Valdese
- Burke County Public Schools, which employs around 1,500 staff members
- Burke County Government, which has offices in downtown Morganton
What makes Drexel a good place for retirees
With a slower pace, a quiet atmosphere, plenty of recreation and medical care close by, Drexel is a favorite for retirees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, fewer than 1,800 people live here, and more than a quarter of them are over 65.
Enjoy mild seasons in the foothills
The Western North Carolina foothills have a mild climate, with hot, humid summers. “Very rarely do we have hurricanes,” says Robin Zema, the owner of Zema Realty Group, who lives in Hickory. Winters are cold, but snow is not a guarantee, averaging about 6 inches a year. “You can boat and go fishing year-round here. You can’t do it in the north. You’ll see people out on boats even when it’s 30 degrees,” Zema says.
