Jefferson is a quiet, small town in North Carolina’s High Country
Jefferson offers laid-back living in the shadow of Mount Jefferson. The Ashe County town, named after the third president of the United States, appeals to second-home buyers, families and retirees looking for a peaceful retreat in reach of larger communities in the Blue Ridge. Jerrita Roark, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Allen Tate Ashe High Country Realty, says the Jefferson has a different atmosphere than its livelier neighbor, West Jefferson . “Jefferson is the county seat. You’ve got some restaurants, you’ve got the grocery stores, but it’s a little more spread out.”
Jefferson’s diverse economy is supported by tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and small business. The town is home to Ashe Memorial Hospital, a top employer. It’s also known for its Christmas tree farms, which have produced several National Christmas Trees.
Single-family homes and condos near Mount Jefferson
The narrow residential streets climbing Jefferson’s hilly terrain feature mostly single-family ranch-style homes, cottages and bungalows. Subdivisions such as Woodcroft offer Colonial Revivals and neotraditional designs. Mature trees surround cabins, log homes and mountain-style homes resting higher in elevation. Farmhouses in the lower-lying countryside offer acreage. The median price for a single-family home is around $275,000, well below the national median. Prices typically range from $190,000 to $520,000. However, the luxury properties in and around the gated Jefferson Landing resort community start at around $665,000 and can reach nearly $1.5 million. These homes often have golf course views. Townhouses and condos, primarily located in Jefferson Landing, range from $380,000 to $760,000 and $270,000 to $330,000, respectively.
Potential buyers should note that hurricanes, flooding, landslides and wildfires are possible in Western North Carolina. “Hurricanes are a very rare event. Snowstorms are mainly pretty,” says Justin Hackler, a Realtor with Boone Realty who’s lived in the region since the 1990s.
Above-average public schools serve Jefferson
Ashe County Schools earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. The district has around 2,900 students across six schools and a preschool program. Students in Jefferson typically attend the B-plus-rated Mountain View Elementary, the A-minus-rated Ashe County Middle and the B-minus-rated Ashe County High. In 2025, the high school launched Husky Headlines, a new student-led newspaper club. Alternatively, students can apply to the A-rated Ashe County Early College High, which is on the Ashe Campus of Wilkes Community College.
Mount Jefferson, the New River and local parks offer outdoor adventure
The Blue Ridge Mountains offer year-round recreation. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area is known for its moderate and strenuous hiking trails that lead to Luther Rock, a landmark offering panoramic views. The park’s switchback road, dotted with overlooks, is a favorite for downhill skateboarders. Floating and paddling along the south fork of the New River is a popular pastime in New River State Park, which has several access points close to town. Ashe County Park offers a variety of amenities. Families can enjoy the playgrounds and a story walk trail. Those into extreme sports can drop into the skate park and take on a bike skills course. There’s also an 18-hole disc golf course, a fishing pond, as well as courts and fields for tennis, basketball and baseball. Walkers love the wide paved path at Foster-Tyson Park. Nearby, Jefferson Landing Club features a private Larry Nelson-designed 18-hole golf course. The Blue Ridge Parkway, a destination for scenic drives, is less than 10 miles away.
Local favorites and national chains dot Route 221 Business
The Museum of Ashe County History, housed in a former Greek Revival courthouse from the early 1900s, stands tall over U.S. Route 221 Business, where residents can shop and dine at a mix of small businesses and national chains spread out along the highway. Restaurants serve mostly American and Mexican fare. However, the colorful Bobby D's is a favorite for pizza and subs. Nearby, New River Brewing Taproom & Brewery offers trivia and music bingo nights. Welch's Produce has fresh produce and local products. Food Lion is the sole supermarket in town, but Ingles Markets and Walmart Supercenter are nearby in West Jefferson, which features a vibrant downtown area with a wider selection of restaurants and boutiques.
An annual music festival is one of Jefferson’s biggest events
Jefferson celebrates Appalachian music heritage at the annual Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention. The two-day event, held at Ashe County Park in late July, features concerts, youth and adult band competitions with cash prizes, a fiddlers’ jam and dance performances. Attendees, who often choose to camp on site, can enjoy the entertainment as well as food trucks and the park’s many amenities.
Highway access and long drives to the closest airports
Most people drive to get around Jefferson. Smaller highways and winding mountain roads connect to U.S. Route 221, a main route through the region. Boone , a bustling college town offering name-brand and department store shopping, is about 30 miles away. Ashe County Transportation Authority offers rides around town through its deviated fixed route and on-demand services. Tri-Cities Airport, the closest commercial airport, is less than 100 miles away in Blountville , Tennessee. But several other airports are within reach. “We love to fly out of Asheville because it’s a smaller airport, but most people are going to Charlotte . You can also go to Greensboro ,” Roark says.
