Yancey County, North Carolina - 2003 Community Guide

Yancey County is nestled in the scenic mountains and forests of western North Carolina. It shares its northwestern border, the Appalachian Mountain ridge, with Johnson County, Tennessee; the southeastern boundary is outlined by the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. The county is centrally located in western North Carolina midway between Boone and Asheville.

The climate here is moderate, but we experience a “taste” of all four seasons. Summertime highs usually peak in the mid-80s, while evening temperatures dip into the comfortable 50s. You’ll not only find the beauty of spring in Yancey County, but you’ll also discover crisp fall days painted by the glorious changing colors of the leaves. Snowfalls here usually range from less than an inch to a foot or more, with yearly accumulations averaging 15.6 inches. The average annual rainfall for the area is 59 inches.

Mount Mitchell of Yancey County is the highest peak east of the Rockies at 6,684 feet. The average elevation here is 2,817 feet — the highest average in the state. Total land area for Yancey County can be measured at 313 square miles, which equals over 200,000 acres.

About 1,600 of the 18,000 residents of the county make Burnsville their home. This community occupies a scenic, elevated site between the Cane and South Toe Rivers. Burnsville is approximately 35 miles northeast of Asheville and 120 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Both U.S. Highway 19, the major east-west route in Yancey County, and Highway 226, the road that skirts its northeastern border, provide transportation in and out of the area. Expansion of U.S. 19, making it the county’s first four-lane highway, is set to begin in 2006. This thoroughfare will eventually connect the cities of Asheville and Boone. Greatly contributing to the current accessibility of Yancey County is the extension of Interstate 26, which is scheduled to open August 5, 2003. On the same day, one of nine North Carolina “welcome centers” will open on the Tennessee border in the neighboring county of Madison.

Air service for Yancey County is available in Asheville. Continental Express, Delta Connection, Carriers ASA and COMAIR, US Airways, and US Express currently serve the Asheville Regional Airport. From here, you can fly to over 200 destinations around the globe while making only one connection. Greyhound Bus Lines offers bus service to Asheville, and several rental car companies are located at the airport for your convenience.