Ellenboro offers rural residences
An unsuspecting rural haven is in Ellenboro, located in western North Carolina. The community is close but straightforward to nearby towns, and that's what residents enjoy, according to Realtor Sonja Smith with Odean, Keever and Associates. "I always say that you're about an hour from everywhere, so it's easy to have that rural lifestyle, but you can still get around easily," Smith says. The area has modest homes, well-rated schools and a few simple eateries, making it popular with many families. It's an easygoing place to call home. Still, proximity to communities like Forest City and larger towns like Hendersonville and Charlotte provide nearly everything Ellenboro residents may need within an hour from home.
Modest midcentury homes and modern new construction
Ellenboro's quiet enclaves offer buyers various residential opportunities. Surrounding the heart of the community on Main Street, Craftsman-style homes, cottages and ranch-styles from the mid-20th century provide a retro feel. They often have their interiors updated and are priced between $245,000 and $425,000. As residences move farther out, some newer construction in modern farmhouse styles list from $265,000 to $275,000. Plenty of rolling farmland and dense pine, oak and evergreen forest are also available to create a custom home, ranging from $40,000 for one acre to $100,000 for ten acres and up.
Ellenboro Elementary earns a B
Rutherford County Schools serves students in Ellenboro, starting at Ellenboro Elementary, which earns an overall B rating on Niche. Students may then attend B-rated East Rutherford Middle and B-rated East Rutherford High. The high school has a learning center for students that is open Monday through Thursday to offer homework help, tutoring and make up missed work.
Close to trails and parks in Forest City and Shelby
Outdoor recreation surrounds Ellenboro, including trails in the scenic mountains many residents see from their homes. South Mountains State Park and the Green River Game Lands have hiking and mountain biking trails, and residents are also about an hour from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Closer to home, residents can head to Shelby City Park, about 13 miles away, for athletic fields, sports courts, a playground and a pool. Forest City also has several community recreation spaces, such as Charles R. Sumney Park, which has a playground and athletic fields. Nearby, the Forest City Municipal Golf Course offers public tee times for the community's golfers.
A simple community center and access to more dining and retail
The heart of Ellenboro has modest amenities, including a Family Dollar and Dollar General for necessities. There is also a Subway chain and Mr. Taco, a family-owned Mexican joint offering tortas and taco platters. Most Ellenboro residents may run over to Forest City for more amenities. "Forest City is the next town over, and it's a quiet community that offers restaurants and shops," Smith says. The community has grocery stores like Food Lion, Walmart and Ingles Market. Main Street has the offerings Smith mentions, including locally-owned boutiques, small businesses and restaurants like Slim's Bar and Grill, a classic burger and sandwich shop. Residents may also visit other communities like Shelby, 13 miles away. This community has eateries like Pleasant City Wood Fired Grille, a pizza parlor, and various shops and events. Bigger cities like Hendersonville, Asheville and Charlotte are all within an hour's drive for more retail, entertainment and dining.
Commuting from Ellenboro
Highway 74 is the community's closest major thoroughfare. Ellenboro is within 40 miles of Interstates 26, 40 and 85, which is necessary for this car-dependent community. When heading west, residents should remain vigilant of road and highway closures due to the ongoing reconstruction following Hurricane Helene in 2024. Major cities like Charlotte and Asheville are within an hour's drive, so commuting is convenient for residents. Rutherford Regional Medical Center is about 15 miles from Ellenboro. The Asheville Regional Airport, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport are about 50 miles from Ellenboro.
