Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 33 min6:17 am – 8:50 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 46 min7:37 am – 5:23 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People461 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 51.3199 householdsMedian home value $334,00068% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,014 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting0.0% unemployment rate48% of adults are in the labour force, 187 employedMain industries: education and health care 59%, hospitality, food and recreation 24%, wholesale trade 18%Average commute 25 minutes70% drive alone, 31% car-poolSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages30% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher59% finished high school, 3% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 82°F, lows 60°FColdest month January: highs 47°F, lows 24°F50 in of rain a year, on about 90 dayswettest month December11 in of snow a year, on about 7 days3 days above 90°F, 120 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Waynesville 1 E station, 8 mi away
Nearby landmarksBlack Mountainpeak · 3.1 miLick Log Gap MP 435.8trailhead · 1.3 miGrassy Ridge Mine Overlook MP 436.9trailhead · 1.4 miBeef Market Toppeak · under a mileWoodfin Fallswaterfall · 4.0 miWaynesville Reservoirreservoir · 3.7 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsGreat Smoky Mountains National Parknational park · 11.5 mi · 279,592 acresCold Mountain Game Landstate conservation land · 7.1 mi · 3,384 acresJackson County - Judaculla Rockhistoric site · 7.2 miCherokee National Forestnational forest · 9.9 mi · 661,139 acresJackson County Greenwayrecreation area · 8.6 miNantahala Game Landstate conservation land · 11.2 mi · 300 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes16 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.7 on 25 Aug 200537 mi away, near Hot Springs, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 3.2 on 4 Jun 202317 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowJackson County, NC, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsCold wave Relatively HighLightning Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality81% of days had good air in 2025296 of 365 days measured69 moderate daysMedian index 37, worst day 87main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Swain County, NC, 25 mi away
Internet at home46% of households have a broadband subscription18% have cable, fibre or DSL20% rely on a mobile data plan alone42% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterBallough Hillsserves 102 people from ground water1 health-based violation since 2021latest Oct 2024: lead and copper, treatment technique1 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation4,142 ft1,262 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalHarris Regional Hospital7.8 miPost officeBalsam Post Office2.3 miTown hallWaynesville Town Hall7.7 miPoliceHaywood County Sheriff's Office6.1 miFire stationBalsam - Willets - Ochre Hill Volunteer Fire Department Station 12.9 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeSouthwestern Community College8.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportAsheville Regional Airport AVL30 miMajor airportMcGhee Tyson Airport TYS59 miInterstateI-4013 miUS highwayUS 232.5 miAmtrakClemson, SC CSN51 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28707 ZIP area.
