$836,490Average Value$401Average Price per Sq Ft29Homes For Sale
Lakeside neighborhood living in the Blue Ridge foothills
The Lake James community sits about 17 miles outside of Morganton, stretching out at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Forested hills here roll down to a nearly 7,000-acre lake, and shorelines wind for 150 miles. "It's a beautiful place to experience the four seasons. It's completely green in spring and summer, orange in the fall and its peaceful and quiet in winter," says local broker Casey Bridges with Bridges Real Estate. Community life here tends to follow the pace of the outdoors, with many neighbors meeting at marinas or on state park trails. Day-to-day needs and work commutes typically lead residents to the busier community of Morganton.
Distinctive mountain and lakeside homes in Lake James
Homes around Lake James range from rustic cabins and ranch-style homes to large Contemporary lakefront estates. Homes are often tucked among wooded areas and along waterfront stretches, with both gated communities and established streets present. Lakefront homes typically have private docks. Prices vary widely, with homes starting around $225,000 for smaller interiors and exceeding $2 million for spacious lakefront estates. The median sales price here is about $930,000.
Groceries, dining and everyday shopping in Morganton
Bear Creek Marina in Nebo serves up seafood and burgers on the lake, but most everyday shopping and dining options are found in downtown Morganton, about 20 minutes away by car. The town offers several grocery stores like Food Lion and Walmart, fast-casual restaurants like McDonalds and Chick-Fil-A, and locally owned boutiques. Dining ranges from casual grills, breweries and coffee shops to more formal restaurants like Root and Vine, known for their cocktails and artisan pizzas.
Outdoor trails, lake recreation and parks near Lake James
Lake James State Park is the center of outdoor activity, offering public swimming areas, more than 14 hiking trails, mountain biking paths and campsites. The lake is popular for boating, fishing, paddle sports, and birding, with public boat ramps and several marinas available. Each January, Lake James State Park hosts the Lake James Ice Festival, a relatively new annual event that began in 2022, organized by the Friends of Lake James nonprofit. Ice sculptors from across the region transform the park with dozens of themed ice sculptures, ranging from aquatic creatures to dinosaurs and “underwater park” scenes. Residents also use nearby Pisgah National Forest and South Mountains State Park for additional hiking, climbing and exploration.
Specialized programming at McDowell High
Kids in the community can start out at Nebo Elementary, which earns a B from Niche, then continue to the B-rated East McDowell Junior High. McDowell High, rated B-minus, provides an AIG program for academically gifted students with specialized courses.
Interstate 40 and Highway 70 provide nearby connectivity
The community connects to Morganton via U.S. Highway 70 and Interstate 40, with Morganton located about 17 miles east. Interstate 40 runs east-west and provides direct routes west to Asheville and east to Hickory and further into the Piedmont region. The closest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, about 40 miles away, offering regional and national flights. For local medical needs, Mission Hospital McDowell in Marion is the nearest full-service hospital, a 16-minute drive from Lake James. Residents are also close to UNC Health Blue Ridge in Morganton for specialized care and hospital services.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Lake James neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lake James
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Lake James Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lake James, Morganton sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake James, Morganton over the last 12 months is $950,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 1513 Brentwood Place, an exceptional waterfront residence on the scenic shores of Lake James! This meticulously maintained for 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath Cape Cod/Arts & Crafts Style home combines timeless charm with modern luxury. Boasting an open floor plan, the residence is filled with natural light and offers breathtaking water views. The main level features the spacious primary suite, a
Tina HaggerBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blue Ridge REALTORS®
PRICE IMPROVEMENT ALERT!!! Nestled at the end of a serene peninsula, this stunning lakefront log cabin with your private dock offers the ultimate private retreat. Awash w/ natural light, the home boasts spacious, customized interiors that effortlessly blend rustic charm w/ modern comfort. Inside, you'll find two massive wood burning fireplaces perfect for cozy evenings after a day on the water or
LOOKING FOR STUNNING VIEWS OF LINVILLE GORGE, TABLE ROCK, AND SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN? Here is a 2.89 acre gentle sloping interior lot in the premier gated community of The Peninsula of Lake James. Great opportunity to build the home of your dreams and open up incredible views! Community members can also enjoy a saltwater pool that is walking distance from the homesite, as well as a pavilion, firepit,
Welcome to the gated community of The Enclave at Lake James. Nestled in a hidden cove is a 2.09 acre beautiful wooded lot. This lot #62, is level and gently sloping on a cul-de-sac waiting for you to build your dream home. Property does sit on a finger of Lake James. Imagine launching your kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and seadoos from your property. This is the perfect location for relaxation and
Marilyn Varnes
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blue Ridge REALTORS®
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
