Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 38 min6:09 am – 8:47 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 41 min7:34 am – 5:15 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People1,961 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 51.0870 householdsMedian household income $69,307Median home value $325,300Median rent $1,284 a month93% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,433 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting3.7% unemployment rate51% of adults are in the labour force, 830 employedMain industries: education and health care 30%, retail 16%, professional and business services 11%Average commute 28 minutes63% drive alone, 18% car-pool, 19% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages57% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher97% finished high school, 17% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 98%Source: 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, 9 mi away
Nearby landmarksBlack Mountainpeak · under a mileRich Mountainpeak · 1.2 miLong Hope Fallswaterfall · 3.8 miFleetwood Falls Lakelake · 4.2 miSouth Branch North Fork New Riverriver · 4.3 miGrassy Islandisland · 4.2 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsElk Knob State Parkstate park · 2.4 mi · 4,437 acresElk Knob Game Landstate conservation land · 5.1 mi · 716 acresThree Top Mountain Game Landstate conservation land · 5.1 mi · 3,456 acresMount Jefferson State Natural Areastate park · 8.8 mi · 1,176 acresBrookshire Parkpark · 7.7 miRocky Knob Mountain Bike Parkrecreation area · 7.7 mi · 183 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 202031 mi away, near Sparta, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 5.1 on 9 Aug 202031 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowAshe County, NC, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsLandslide Relatively ModerateCold wave Relatively ModerateSource: 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, 38 mi away
Internet at home93% of households have a broadband subscription86% have cable, fibre or DSL7% rely on a mobile data plan alone5% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterLaurel Mountain Estatesserves 70 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20212 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation3,394 ft1,034 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalWatauga Medical Center9.7 miPost officeTodd Post Office1.8 miTown hallWest Jefferson Town Hall7.9 miPoliceWest Jefferson Police Department7.9 miFire stationTodd Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department1.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeAshe Campus of Wilkes Community College8.3 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportTri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport TRI46 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT86 miInterstateI-8132 miUS highwayUS 2214.3 miCoachBooneSunway Charters9.3 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28684 ZIP area.
