The Towns and Communities of Jackson County North Carolina

Jackson County is quite large as mountain counties go, yet it is the county's elongated north-to-south shape that distinguishes its geographical character. From the towering Balsam Mountains and the Smoky Mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border in the northern regions of the county, to the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains in the county's southern reaches along the South Carolina and North Carolina borders, Jackson County is more geographically diverse than any other mountain county.

The beautiful mountain country of Jackson County possesses and benefits from a hearty watershed of streams and creeks that course downward from the high mountain slopes, shaping mountain coves in the process and carving out a river and deep valleys. The Tuckasegee River, with its headwaters beginning in the upper southern reaches of the county, nearly divides the county down the middle along its northbound course. Jackson County is a land of many waters, lakes, and reservoirs both big and small. There are more than 15 noteworthy waterfalls in Jackson County, plus dozens of waterfalls and cascading waterways that are more or less inaccessible to the general public, yet known by local explorers and adventurers. Due to this abundance of water, Jackson County offers excellent opportunities for anglers, whether it's the numerous cascading waterways or just the morning or evening stillness of the pristine waters of its blue lakes.

For the most part the townships of Jackson County were founded along the county's waterways, especially the Tuckasegee River. Of the many townships along the Tuckasegee River there are four incorporated towns and communities: Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, and Forest Hills. The largest towns and communities in the county in order of size are Sylva, the county seat; followed by the town of Dillsboro; Webster; and Cashiers, a resort town in the upper southern high country of Jackson County.

Other notable Jackson County townships containing within them a small-town business area or post office are Whittier, Cullowhee, Balsam, Tuckasegee, Glenville, and East LaPort, to mention a few. Some of these communities are located at or near natural points of interest within their own townships or near popular National Forest sites or access trails.

Jackson County has many other quiet mountain communties, such as Tuckasegee, Balsam, Whiteside Cove, and Panthertown Valley. The majority of these communities within Jackson County are often located in quiet and tranquil out-of-the-way places that haven't changed much in the last century. There are newer homes and neighborhoods providing the needful amenities of these modern times. Yet it's these peaceful "live in your own world" type of lifestyle getaways that are so appealing. Many of these quaint communities reside within out-of-the-way coves, along river bends, rushing creeks, and lakes fronts, across open meadows, or scattered along high mountain slopes. It's the spirit of these communities that you'll sense when touring the high-country back roads of Jackson County's upper mountain ranges, deep valleys, and scenic byways.

Contained within this profile are several depictions of the towns and communities of Jackson County to assist and inform visitors that are looking to visit, relocate, start anew, or just find that perfect vacation home.