Macon County, North Carolina
Highlands Real Estate and Local Guide
High-elevation resort town on a plateau in the southern Appalachians, within the Nantahala National Forest, known for a seasonal summer economy, upscale inns, and heavy rainfall Ranked Realty pairs verified local data with the agents who know Highlands best.
About the area
Living in Highlands, NC
At roughly 4,100 feet, Highlands is one of the highest incorporated towns east of the Mississippi River.
The housing market
Homes in Highlands
- About 59% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
- About 75% of housing units are single-family detached homes.
- The median home value is about $666,300, reflecting the town's resort real-estate market.
Landmarks and lifestyle
What makes Highlands home
Highlands Botanical Garden and Nature Center
Free botanical garden and nature center at the Highlands Biological Station, with native-plant gardens and an old-growth hemlock trail
The Bascom
Visual arts center on a six-acre former horse farm with rotating Appalachian exhibits and classes
Bridal Veil Falls
45-foot roadside waterfall northwest of town, the only one in North Carolina a vehicle can drive behind
Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
Downtown town park with a splash pad, hosting concerts, markets, and seasonal ice skating
Nantahala National Forest
National forest surrounding the town, with waterfalls and hiking trails
For agents
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Local facts on this page are verified against public sources as part of the AppWT local-data project. Data reflects the most recent available figures.