Editing Beech Mountain, North Carolina

{{for|the geographical feature|Beech Mountain (North Carolina)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Beech Mountain, North Carolina
| settlement_type          = [[Town]]
| nickname                 = Beech
| motto                    = 
| named_for                = [[Beech Mountain (North Carolina)|Beech Mountain]]

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = 
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = 
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = Beech Mountain, NC Town Seal.png
| image_map                = NCMap-doton-BeechMountain.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Beech Mountain, North Carolina
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in North Carolina|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga]], [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = Incorporated
| established_date         = 1981

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 16.82
| area_land_km2            = 16.78
| area_water_km2           = 0.03
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.49
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.48
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 675
| population_density_km2   = 40.21
| population_density_sq_mi = 104.15

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 4354
| coordinates              = {{coord|36|12|23|N|81|52|59|W|type:city_region:US-NC|display=it}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 28604 <ref name="GR7">{{cite web |url=http://tools.usps.com/go/ZipLookupAction!input.action |title=USPS - Look Up a ZIP Code |accessdate=February 15, 2012 |author=United States Postal Service |year=2012}}</ref>
| area_code                = [[Area code 828|828]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 37-04510 <ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2405226<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405226}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.townofbeechmountain.com/}}
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
}}

'''Beech Mountain''' is a [[town]] in both [[Avery County, North Carolina|Avery]] and [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga]] counties in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]].<ref name=gnis/>  At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the town population was 675.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Beech_Mountain_town,_North_Carolina?g=160XX00US3704510 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> The town is located atop [[Beech Mountain (North Carolina)|Beech Mountain]] and is the highest [[town]] east of the [[Rocky Mountains]] at {{convert|5,506|ft|m|abbr=on}} in elevation. The nearest municipality at a higher elevation is [[Des Moines, New Mexico]], some {{convert|1220|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} away.

The town relies heavily on tourism, with the population swelling as high as 5,000 in the summer, and to 10,000 during the peak of ski season. The abundance of outdoor activities, mild summer temperatures (compared to the rest of the [[Southeastern United States|southeast]]), and ski resort make it a popular location for people in [[the Carolinas]], [[Georgia (U.S. State)|Georgia]] and [[Florida]] to own both summer and winter [[Holiday cottage|vacation homes]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://townofbeechmountain.com/|title=Welcome|website=Town of Beech Mountain}}</ref>

==Geography==
Beech Mountain is located in Avery and Watauga counties, North Carolina. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of 6.7&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi&nbsp;(17.4&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}), all land.

At an elevation of <span style="white-space:nowrap">5,506&nbsp;feet&nbsp;(1,678&nbsp;m)</span>, Beech Mountain is the highest incorporated community east of the [[Mississippi River]]. Beech Mountain Ski Resort is one of very few ski areas operating in the [[Southeastern United States]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1990= 239
|2000= 310
|2010= 320
|2020= 675
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|newspaper=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 310 people, 145 households, and 95 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|46.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,868 housing units at an average density of {{convert|280.8|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.42% [[White American|White]], and 2.58% from two or more races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 0.97% of the population.

There were 145 households, out of which 15.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together and 33.8% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.45.

The age distribution was 12.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 33.9% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,500, and the median income for a family was $52,813. Males had a median income of $32,031 versus $22,000 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $26,799. About 2.8% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty-five or over.

==Climate==
Beech Mountain has a [[humid continental climate]] (''[[Köppen climate classification|Dfb]]''), and is the coldest town in North Carolina as well as all of [[Southeastern United States|Southeastern US]], with winters comparable to coastal New England and summers far cooler than the surrounding Piedmont and even other mountain towns. Summers are typically mild and rainy, with some cooler and warmer days sprinkled in. Winter temperatures are cold and very snowy, with daily highs around freezing and lows in the teens, though above freezing winter highs tend to keep the snowpack down.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=National Weather Service Corporate Image Web|title=National Weather Service Climate|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=gsp|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=w2.weather.gov|language=EN-US}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location  = Beech Mountain (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1991–present)
| single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 64
| Feb record high F = 67
| Mar record high F = 76
| Apr record high F = 77
| May record high F = 78
| Jun record high F = 81
| Jul record high F = 83
| Aug record high F = 80
| Sep record high F = 79
| Oct record high F = 74
| Nov record high F = 77
| Dec record high F = 64
| year record high F = 83

|Jan avg record high F = 53.4
|Feb avg record high F = 55.4
|Mar avg record high F = 61.8
|Apr avg record high F = 70.2
|May avg record high F = 72.3
|Jun avg record high F = 74.6
|Jul avg record high F = 76.2
|Aug avg record high F = 74.8
|Sep avg record high F = 72.8
|Oct avg record high F = 68.6
|Nov avg record high F = 61.7
|Dec avg record high F = 55.5
|year avg record high F = 76.5

| Jan high F = 34.8
| Feb high F = 36.9
| Mar high F = 43.4
| Apr high F = 53.3
| May high F = 60.7
| Jun high F = 65.9
| Jul high F = 68.9
| Aug high F = 67.7
| Sep high F = 63.4
| Oct high F = 55.0
| Nov high F = 45.6
| Dec high F = 38.8
| year high F = 52.9
| Jan mean F = 27.4
| Feb mean F = 29.3
| Mar mean F = 35.6
| Apr mean F = 44.9
| May mean F = 53.3
| Jun mean F = 59.8
| Jul mean F = 63.1
| Aug mean F = 61.9
| Sep mean F = 57.0
| Oct mean F = 47.8
| Nov mean F = 38.3
| Dec mean F = 31.6
| year mean F = 45.8
| Jan low F = 20.0
| Feb low F = 21.8
| Mar low F = 27.7
| Apr low F = 36.4
| May low F = 46.0
| Jun low F = 53.6
| Jul low F = 57.3
| Aug low F = 56.1
| Sep low F = 50.5
| Oct low F = 40.6
| Nov low F = 30.9
| Dec low F = 24.4
| year low F = 38.8

|Jan avg record low F = -3.2
|Feb avg record low F = 2.7
|Mar avg record low F = 7.2
|Apr avg record low F = 18.0
|May avg record low F = 29.4
|Jun avg record low F = 42.6
|Jul avg record low F = 49.7
|Aug avg record low F = 48.8
|Sep avg record low F = 38.1
|Oct avg record low F = 23.0
|Nov avg record low F = 12.6
|Dec avg record low F = 4.7
|year avg record low F = -5.4

| Jan record low F = -18
| Feb record low F = -15
| Mar record low F = -10
| Apr record low F = 7
| May record low F = 18
| Jun record low F = 35
| Jul record low F = 44
| Aug record low F = 41
| Sep record low F = 29
| Oct record low F = 16
| Nov record low F = 3
| Dec record low F = -10
| year record low F = -17
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 5.18
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.21
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.81
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.92
| May precipitation inch = 5.71
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.94
| Jul precipitation inch = 5.97
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.96
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.99
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.75
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.50
| Dec precipitation inch = 4.84
| year precipitation inch = 57.78
| Jan snow inch = 16.6
| Feb snow inch = 16.5
| Mar snow inch = 13.0
| Apr snow inch = 4.4
| May snow inch = 0.1
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.6
| Nov snow inch = 2.1
| Dec snow inch = 13.2
| year snow inch = 66.5
| snow depth colour    =  <!-- Enter "green" for green snowfall colours, "none" for no colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
| Jan snow depth inch  = 9
| Feb snow depth inch  = 9
| Mar snow depth inch  = 9
| Apr snow depth inch  = 4
| May snow depth inch  = 0
| Jun snow depth inch  = 0
| Jul snow depth inch  = 0
| Aug snow depth inch  = 0
| Sep snow depth inch  = 0
| Oct snow depth inch  = 1
| Nov snow depth inch  = 3
| Dec snow depth inch  = 7
| year snow depth inch =
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 20.1
| Feb precipitation days = 17.8
| Mar precipitation days = 16.1
| Apr precipitation days = 15.4
| May precipitation days = 17.2
| Jun precipitation days = 18.0
| Jul precipitation days = 18.6
| Aug precipitation days = 16.9
| Sep precipitation days = 13.1
| Oct precipitation days = 11.6
| Nov precipitation days = 12.1
| Dec precipitation days = 18.3
| year precipitation days = 195.2
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 9.7
| Feb snow days = 9.1
| Mar snow days = 6.7
| Apr snow days = 2.0
| May snow days = 0.3
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.5
| Nov snow days = 2.9
| Dec snow days = 6.7
| year snow days = 37.9
|source = [[NOAA]]<ref name = nws>
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=gsp
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = May 11, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCDC>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00310645&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
| title = Station: Beech MTN, NC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| access-date = May 11, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Recreation==
{{Promotional tone|section|date=January 2022}}
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2022}}
Beech Mountain has become known as a recreational mecca on the East Coast and is the main driver in its economy. Due to its high altitude, the cool summer temperatures make it an ideal place to escape the heat of the flat lands and the ample snowfall during the winter allows for over 3 months of skiing and snowboarding each year.

=== Hiking ===
Beech Mountain has over 28 miles of dedicated hiking trail within the town limits. Popular trails include Upper and Lower Pond Creek, which traverse along the banks of Pond Creek, and Grassy Gap Trail, which descends along Grassy Gap Creek to Buckeye Recreation Center. The Emerald Outback has become a popular hiking and trail running destination, boasting 11 miles of pristine trail mostly above 5,000' in altitude. Several overlooks exist facing the southward mountains in the trail system. Each summer, the recreation department provides guided hikes to view birds, flowers, plants, and other items along the trails.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beechrecreation.org/trails-and-parks/trails-at-a-glance/|title=Trails at a Glance {{!}} Buckeye Recreation Center|website=beechrecreation.org|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>

=== Biking ===
Biking on Beech Mountain has been a staple since the early days of the town. Cyclists enjoy both road cycling and mountain biking opportunities atop the mountain. The recreation department maintains the Emerald Outback trail system and has invested into several trails with jumps, berms, and other features. During the summer months, Beech Mountain Resort opens their downhill bike park, which is accessible via chair lift. Several competitions take place on the downhill trails each year. Beech Mountain is also known for its road cycling. Highway 184 on the front side of the mountain is one of the most difficult climbs in the southern United States. It was made famous during the 1990s as it was the queen stage of the now defunct [[Tour DuPont]], as well as during [[Lance Armstrong]]'s recovery from cancer treatment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/01/sports/cycling-finding-his-missing-desire-in-the-mountains.html|title=CYCLING; Finding His Missing Desire in the Mountains|last=Litsky|first=Frank|date=August 1, 1999|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 1, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== Fishing ===
While the mountain does not contain the large rivers typically associated with mountain trout fishing, there is a plethora of places to cast a rod within the town limits. Over 3 miles of the streams on the mountain are stocked with trout from the NC Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as Buckeye Lake and Lake Coffey. Fish include brown, rainbow, and brook trout. Guided tours are available through the Buckeye Recreation Center, as well as single day fishing licenses specific to Beech Mountain. Each year in June, the Kiddo Fishing Derby attracts several kids to Lake Coffey as the season opens for trout fishing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beechrecreation.org/family-fun/fishing/|title=Fishing {{!}} Buckeye Recreation Center|website=beechrecreation.org|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>

=== Skiing and snowboarding ===
Beech Mountain was originally developed around the ski resort, Beech Mountain Resort. The resort was opened in 1967 and has expanded ever since. Currently, there are 17 trails and 8 lifts over 95 skiable acres. The mountain hosted large racing events during the 1970s that attracted several Olympians to the resort. After falling into disrepair at the turn of the century, the owners of the resort have begun making large capital improvements to bring the resort back to it prior grandeur. There is a wide range of terrain, including a beginner area, a terrain park with several jumps and features, more difficult terrain, and one of the top slopes in the south on the backside of the mountain in Oz Run.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beechmountainresort.com/mountain/mountain-stats/|title=Beech Ski Mountain North Carolina Stats|website=Beech Mountain Resort|language=en-US|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>

=== Sledding and tubing ===
Beech Mountain is the only municipality in the southern United States to operate a free public sledding hill. Located across from the town hall building, the sled hill is open all winter long to children under the age of 12. The hill is no longer supervised during business hours, which roughly coincide with daylight. Patrons must bring their own sleds, which can be brought from home, rented or purchased at nearby merchants. Also, be prepared to pay hourly metered parking (the hill is a bit steep & long to walk with small children), card accepted.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://beechmtn.com/beech-mountain-town-sledding-hill/ |access-date=January 20, 2022|title=Beech Mountain Town Sledding Hill|date=January 2, 2020}}</ref>

Beech Mountain Resort offers tubing, which users must purchase tickets in person for, only issued on the day of visit. Tubing tickets are sold in two hour blocks (times available based on weekday/weekend) but be aware that you actually get less because the tube lanes close at least 15 minutes prior to end of session. You can sign the waiver electronically online, which will save you time at the ticket booth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beechmountainresort.com/mountain/tubing/ |access-date=January 20, 2022|title=Tubing at Beech Mountain resort}}</ref>

=== Buckeye Recreation Center ===
The Buckeye Recreation Center is an indoor facility dedicated to expanding the recreational needs of residents and visitors alike and is the central hub of the town recreation department. The center opened in 2005 and includes a full-size gymnasium, indoor tennis court, 2 indoor [[pickleball]] courts, meeting areas, fitness area with state-of-the-art equipment, kids playroom, an indoor walking track, and lobby with free WiFi. Outside of the building, there are 2 outdoor tennis courts, a softball field, a walking path, and large ropes playground. Additionally, the center rents out canoes, kayaks, and other water equipment for use in nearby Buckeye Lake. During the summer, the center hosts a daycamp for kids of all ages, as well as several other activities and events for residents and visitors alike.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beechrecreation.org/about-us/|title=About Us {{!}} Buckeye Recreation Center|website=beechrecreation.org|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>

=== Other activities ===
With 63 miles of low traffic town roads, Beech Mountain offers a great place for road running and walking. Several running races take place on the mountain each year. During the winter months, less traveled roads are not plowed, which allows for usage of cross country skis and snowshoes. These activities are also permitted on the town maintained trails. The Beech Mountain Resort also offers ice skating in the winter, as well as roller skating and disc golf in the summer months.

==Notable people==

* [[Ray Hicks]], Appalachian storyteller
* [[Frank Proffitt]], banjoist

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|North Carolina}}
* [[Beech Mountain (North Carolina)|Beech Mountain]] (geographical feature, with resort)
* [[Land of Oz (theme park)]]
* [[List of ski areas and resorts in the United States]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.townofbeechmountain.com/ Town of Beech Mountain]
* [http://www.beechmtn.com/ Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.beechmtnnc.com/ Beech Mountain News]
* [http://www.skibeech.com/ Beech Mountain Ski Resort]

{{Avery County, North Carolina}}
{{Watauga County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in Avery County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in Watauga County, North Carolina]]