Asheville, North Carolina

- Is Asheville a large city?
As of the 2000 United States Census Bureau, the total population in the county was 215,000, from which 68,889 people, 30,690 households, and 16,726 families resided in Asheville. However, as of 2004, the Census Bureau estimated a population of 70,400, meaning a continuous growth.

- Where is it located?
Asheville is located at 35°34'48" North, 82°33'21" West and is a county seat. The administrative center of the Buncombe County situated amid the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, on a plateau divided by the French Broad River, described by Francis Tiernan as "The Land of the Sky" in 1878, a name still in use that identifies this city.

- Does Asheville have a high elevation?
The city has a total area of 41.3 mi2 (107.0 km2), located at over 2,000 feet in elevation above sea level and in the middle of mountain ranges that does not exceed 5,000 feet, except Mount Mitchell, the highest peak at 6,685 feet, east of the Mississippi River. However, the areas' average elevation is 2,165 feet.

- What about the weather condition?
Asheville has a four-season temperate climate, including an average snowfall of only 13 inches. The range of elevations surrounding Asheville has their corresponding climates, considered the most bio diverse zone in the United States and the world.

- Could you provide me with some demographic facts?
Figures from the census of 2000 revealed a population density of 1,683.4/mi2 (650.0/km2). There were 33,567 housing units at an average density of 820.3/mi2 (316.7/km2). The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81, and the median age was 39 years.

From all households, 22.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older, and 45.5% were non-families.

Racial makeup of Asheville was 77.95% White, 17.61% African American, 3.76% were Hispanic or Latino of any race, 0.35% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.53% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races.

For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males. Asheville's population was spread out with 19.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older.

- Is Asheville a historical city?
The Montford neighborhood and other central areas are considered historic districts with many surviving Victorian houses, although Art Deco architecture is predominant downtown. Asheville's surrounding mountains were historic scenarios and today are extremely popular when fall foliage peaks in October.

- Why should I consider relocating?
The outstanding quality of life in Asheville is a good starting point. The city has a low crime rate, and a large number of employment opportunities, besides of remarkable educational opportunities, housing two universities and many high level colleges nearby.

- Tell me more about the education facilities.
The Asheville City Schools district includes Asheville High School, ranked by Newsweek Magazine as one of the top 100 high schools in the United States, Asheville Middle School, and several elementary schools.

Asheville is home to the oldest college in western North Carolina, the Mars Hill College, a 4-year liberal arts college affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist Convention. Other colleges in the area include the Warren Wilson College, located in the community of Swannanon, the Montreat College and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

The city is also home to the University of North Carolina and several institutions of higher education, and other schools including sports, and AIG (Academically/Intellectually Gifted).

- And the shopping facilities?
Like any other important city, Asheville encompasses a number of shopping malls with notable architecture, including 2 regional. The first and larger of the m is Asheville Mall, anchored by J.C. Penney, Sears Belk, Goody's and Proffitt's and Dillard's department stores, and the other is the classy Biltmore Square.

- Are malls allowed at Biltmore State?
Asheville's lavish attraction is Biltmore Estate; however, the Biltmore Village is a section of the city adjacent to the estate. This was an area where former workers stayed during the château construction. Nowadays, it comprises many small trendy shops open to locals and tourists.

- Any famous people related to Asheville?
George Vanderbilt, born in New York was so in love with Asheville's scenery and climate that he decided to build his own winter estate in the area. Author Thomas Wolfe was born in Asheville, the same as actress Eileen Fulton and singer Roberta Flack. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald lived and worked in Asheville during some of his literary career, and films like “Being there" and “Forrest Gump” were filmed here.

- Is any event of particular interest held in the city?
Although there are several, the most attractive Asheville's events are the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Goombay Festival and the Bele Chere, an outdoor festival held in the downtown area, attracting thousands of residents and visitors each year.

- Is the city still a health care destination?
Since the late 19th century, Asheville was known by the bondage of its clean mountain air and climate. Since then, the city is known by its restorative properties and rich curative herb resources discovered by Cherokee Indians and early settlers.

Today, Asheville is still a health Mecca, featuring traditional health care with a full gamut of doctors and specialists serving to the hospital industry, and expanding its own boundaries with the recent popularity of alternative and complementary medicine, such as aromatherapy and other disciplines.

- Where can I get further information on Asheville?
At the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, http://www.exploreasheville.com

Other useful information is available at:

Buncombe County Government, http://www.wlos.com
Biltmore Estate & Winery, http://www.biltmore.com
The Cherokee Indian Reservation, http://www.cherokee-nc.com
The Western Carolina Guide of Events, http://www.wncguide.com