$834,455Average Value$431Average Price per Sq Ft50Homes 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.
Written By
Braxton Chea
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Kenvian Ferguson
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blue Ridge REALTORS®
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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 86 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake James, Morganton over the last 12 months is $1,050,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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
Discover the perfect canvas for your dream home with this 2.86-acre interior lot in a prestigious gated community The Peninsula at Lake James. Ideally situated directly across from the community pool and dock, this gently sloping lot offers both convenience and tranquility, with breathtaking views of Shortoff Mountain providing a serene and picturesque backdrop. Featuring a 4 bedroom septic
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!
Welcome to 4634 Harbor View Terrace! This beautifully appointed ranch-style lakefront home offers true main-level living with a finished lower level, blending comfort, space, and exceptional lake views. Featuring three bedrooms (all on main level) and three full bathrooms, the home showcases a mix of hardwood and carpeted floors along with two inviting fireplaces—one in the main living room and
Nestled within the gated waterfront community of The Peninsula at Lake James, this waterfront parcel offers the perfect opportunity to build your dream lake retreat. Perfect parcel for a multi-level custom home with expansive decks, large windows, or even a walk-out basement.A sloped building site higher up offers sweeping long-range views across the sparkling waters of Lake James to the stunning
Are you searching for just the right WATERFRONT lot in a premier community on beautiful Lake James? Then book your showing today to see this 1-acre parcel located in stunning Sunset Point! Lot 31 features a private, wooded setting with a partial clearing by the roadside to allow for your vision of the placement of your mountain lake home. With over 140 feet of water frontage tucked in a deep
Tucked within a desirable lake community, this thoughtfully designed home offers breathtaking long-range views of three mountain ranges, including Short Off Mountain, along with coveted view of Lake James. With an additional adjoining 0.71-acre lot included, there’s added privacy and the opportunity to further enhance the already stunning scenery—just a bit of selective tree topping could open up
Embrace the pinnacle of high-country elegance with this majestic 13.2-acre estate homesite nestled within the gated sanctuary of Black Forest at Lake James. Offering a seamless transition from vision to reality, this estate comes fully prepared for development with two successful percolation tests on file and five distinct, surveyed building sites. Whether you envision a sprawling primary
Build your waterfront dream home at Lake James, in the pristine gated community of Waters Edge. The property features a great build site and 168 feet of shoreline with a very gentle slope down to the water. This partially cleared, 0.94-acre waterfront lot has it's own beach, providing easy access to a quiet cove. Waters Edge is a gated community offering amenities such as a private swimming
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
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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.
