Local servicesHospitalHarris Regional Hospital11.8 miPost officeTuckasegee Post Office6.9 miFire stationCanada Volunteer Fire Department3.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 33 min6:17 am – 8:50 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 46 min7:36 am – 5:23 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People12,756 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 22.24,384 householdsMedian household income $45,568Median home value $347,900Median rent $892 a month37% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,115 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting7.9% unemployment rate60% of adults are in the labour force, 6,529 employedMain industries: education and health care 25%, hospitality, food and recreation 22%, retail 21%Average commute 20 minutes73% drive alone, 6% car-pool, 9% walk or cycle, 9% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages36% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher94% finished high school, 17% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 92%, Spanish 7%4% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 85°F, lows 63°FColdest month January: highs 49°F, lows 26°F54 in of rain a year, on about 95 dayswettest month June4 in of snow a year, on about 3 days13 days above 90°F, 101 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Cullowhee station, 9 mi away
Parks and public landsNantahala Game Landstate conservation land · 4.9 mi · 300 acresJackson County - Judaculla Rockhistoric site · 5.5 miCold Mountain Game Landstate conservation land · 6.9 mi · 3,384 acresGreat Smoky Mountains National Parknational park · 17.2 mi · 279,592 acresGorges State Parkstate park · 14.5 mi · 8,122 acresCherokee National Forestnational forest · 16.4 mi · 661,139 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes14 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.7 on 25 Aug 200541 mi away, near Hot Springs, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 3.2 on 4 Jun 202320 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 quality97% of days had good air in 2025336 of 348 days measured12 moderate daysMedian index 32, worst day 97main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Macon County, NC, 26 mi away
Internet at home71% of households have a broadband subscription47% have cable, fibre or DSL9% rely on a mobile data plan alone5% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterWestern Carolina Univ Wtpserves 7,800 people from surface waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation3,856 ft1,175 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
