Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 38 min6:09 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 42 min7:33 am – 5:15 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People2,208 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 39.2837 householdsMedian household income $59,653Median home value $338,400Median rent $1,250 a month75% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,080 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.3% unemployment rate71% of adults are in the labour force, 1,138 employedMain industries: education and health care 21%, retail 18%, manufacturing 14%Average commute 24 minutes81% drive alone, 10% car-pool, 9% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages35% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher96% finished high school, 13% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 90%, Spanish 10%8% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 79°F, lows 58°FColdest month January: highs 41°F, lows 22°F59 in of rain a year, on about 97 dayswettest month September26 in of snow a year, on about 14 days0 days above 90°F, 127 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Boone 1 Se station, 7 mi away
Nearby landmarksOsborne Mountainpeak · under a milePine Knobpeak · 3.9 miBright Penny Lakelake · 3.2 miTrout Lakelake · 3.3 miCascade Fallswaterfall · 4.3 miGrassy Islandisland · 5.6 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsWatauga Human Society Dog Parkpark · 4.4 miRocky Knob Mountain Bike Parkrecreation area · 5.6 mi · 183 acresBuffalo Cove Game Landstate conservation land · 8.0 mi · 6,654 acresElk Knob State Parkstate park · 11.8 mi · 4,437 acresMount Jefferson State Natural Areastate park · 12.6 mi · 1,176 acresElk Knob Game Landstate conservation land · 12.2 mi · 716 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes10 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19701 of magnitude 4+, 1 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202030 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202030 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowWatauga County, NC, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsLandslide Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality82% of days had good air in 2025291 of 357 days measured65 moderate, 1 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 31, worst day 102main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Mitchell County, NC, 39 mi away
Internet at home79% of households have a broadband subscription50% have cable, fibre or DSL13% rely on a mobile data plan alone22% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterTown of Booneserves 19,811 people from surface waterNo health-based violations since 20212 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system in the county
Elevation2,613 ft796 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalWatauga Medical Center7.6 miPost officeDeep Gap Post Office1.8 miTown hallBoone Town Hall9.3 miPoliceBoone Police Department8.2 miFire stationDeep Gap Fire Department2.3 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeAppalachian State University9.0 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI53 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT76 miInterstateI-4033 miUS highwayUS 4211.5 miAmtrakGastonia, NC GAS68 miCoachBooneSunway Charters8.5 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28618 ZIP area.
