$828,936Average Value$449Average Price per Sq Ft51Homes 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 93 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake James, Morganton over the last 12 months is $970,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Design and build your dream home on this extraordinary homesite offering close to 900 feet of Lake James water frontage in the serene 1780 community. Enjoy effortless access to the lake from this partially cleared homesite with a gentle slope to the water—plus, Duke Energy has confirmed the entire shoreline of this lot is dockable. 1780 residents enjoy exclusive access to Camp Lake James — a
Discover mountain-lake living at its finest in the pristine Black Forest community on Lake James. Enjoy a prime building site located right next to the Lake Camp entrance—providing easy access to your deeded boat slip (#13). Community amenities include a caretaker service, community building, River Camp kayak launch/storage, walking trails, private docks and a pavilion-picnic area right next to
Views of Shortoff Mountain can be yours from this spacious and builder friendly lot. It is very level with the home site sitting slightly above the road. This is an intersection lot which can allow a pull thru driveway allowing for privacy for your home while having the easiest of access from construction to living. Beautiful 1.63-acre lot is located in The Peninsula at Lake James. This lot is
Fabulous Mountain Views along with beautiful pristine Lake James. This .79+/- acre off water lot is in gated Arbor on Lake James. This lot has spectacular lake/mountain views along with a great building site for you to build your perfect lake home. This lot also has a deeded boat slip #13 for easy water access so you can enjoy Lake James recreation. Convenient to Marion, WNC mountains and more.
Experience the pinnacle of lakeside living with this exceptional 1.8-acre corner lot nestled in the prestigious Southpointe community. This level, wooded homesite offers the perfect canvas for your custom dream home, combining ultimate privacy with premium neighborhood amenities.- Deeded Boat Slip: This lot comes with a coveted deeded boat slip (#34), providing immediate and permanent access
Deeded boat slip just minutes from the home. Beautifully designed and furnished, this move-in ready retreat in the highly sought-after Old Wildlife Club at Lake James offers the perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and mountain-lake living. Thoughtfully designed to maximize space and livability, 103 Big Game Drive comfortably sleeps 10 and offers an ideal setup for entertaining guests,
The beautiful Dry Creek community has larger, wooded homesites and allow homes with a rustic feel. Dry Creek residents share the amenities of Southpointe including a pool, clubhouse, and community boat slips. The Fonta Flora Trail system crosses through the SouthPointe community allowing for wonderful outdoor recreation trails. Lot 29 is a private 1.62+/- acre lot with a flat building area and
Exceptional waterfront living awaits at 23 Anchor Dr. in The Arbor at Lake James, where luxury, comfort and effortless lake living come together in one remarkable turnkey package. Built in 2025 and meticulously maintained, this like-new home has been a highly successful short-term rental while offering an ideal design for full-time living. The thoughtfully crafted main-level floor plan features a
Leslie Elliott
Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks Asheville-Biltmore Park
Excellent opportunity to build your dream home on this beautiful 3.13-acre parcel located on Lake James Road. This buildable lot offers potential lake views and is just minutes from the water, making it ideal for those seeking the Lake James lifestyle without the waterfront price tag.The generous acreage provides plenty of space for your custom home, outbuildings, and privacy, while the
Experience the pinnacle of lakeside living on Lot 4 Pisgah Preserve Drive, a premier homesite offering what are arguably the most breathtaking views in all of Lake James. This exceptional property provides a front-row seat to the dramatic face of Shortoff Mountain and only 7 minutes to Bear Creek Marina. Perfectly positioned within the gated Pisgah Preserve community—which borders the vast Pisgah
5029 Winfield Drive | Southpointe at Lake James — A Rare Waterfront Gem Nestled on 1.13 acres with a beautifully cleared shoreline, ready for you to create unforgettable moments on the pristine waters of Lake James. This exceptional homesite invites you to design your dream retreat at water's edge where luxury living meets nature’s masterpiece. Imagine waking each morning to the soft glow of
Beautiful views of Shortoff mountain from this nice lot in The Arbor. Enjoy seeing wildlife as you drive through the neighborhood. Escape to fonta flora brewing after spending the day on the water or use the abundance of trails on the Fonta Flora trail or Lake James State Park trails. Neighborhood has boat storage and hiking trails as well! Mountain living at a great price!
Lake Life! directly on lake James! This Carriage home features a second floor large one bedroom/one bath luxury home. This home has all the the top of the line building materials. Granite in the kitchen and a massive marble shower in the bathroom. Gas stove for cooking and a fireplace to stay cozy and warm in the winter. Bring your boat and jet ski to this private double decker boat dock. Enjoy
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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.
