The current data demonstrates just how significant a housing crisis North Carolina at large is in, and when we home in on the state of the High Country here in Western North Carolina… it looks even worse. NC’s housing market remains tight, with rising costs, high affordability stress for low- and moderate-income households, and a lop-sided supply-demand mix. Currently across North Carolina:
- For the first time, over 1 million low-income households in NC are spending 30% or more of their income on housing.
- Median rents rose in 91 counties from 2023–2024; median owner costs rose in 78 counties.
- Statewide, rental vacancy rose to 7.4% and homeowner to 1.2% from 2023–2024.
Here in the High Country, where Tiny Together is trying to make a positive difference and working to gain funding needed to create affordable workforce communities, we see even further housing burdens. In August 2025, the High-Country real estate market saw 265 new listings, 183 sales, and an average sold price of $705,958, with a price per square foot of $333 and 52% of closings being cash sales. Which of our working neighbors can afford to pay cash, or pay that price per square foot?
A regional study concluded “Unaffordable housing has emerged as a nationwide crisis, driven by rising interest rates, stagnant income growth, and increasing construction costs,” the study’s executive summary reads. “In the High Country of Western North Carolina, these pressures intensify as population fluctuations tied to Appalachian State University, tourism, and a high proportion of second-home ownership strain the market. Topographical challenges further worsen housing concerns, and Hurricane Helene’s damage pushed the situation to a critical point by destroying and degrading existing supply. Residents of the region have strong community ties, rooted in its mountain landscape, yet rising housing prices and declining housing quality increasingly threaten to displace long-standing communities.” – Ashe Post & Times Feb 2026
Housing affordability primarily depends on three factors: the price of homes, mortgage rates, and household income. North Carolina’s housing affordability arc reflects shifting market conditions over the past 15 years. With the income gap widening and our neighbors being forced to move to more affordable counties, we are losing our workforce. “Comparing the average sale price to local income highlights areas where housing costs exceed what residents can realistically afford,” the study found. “Places with high prices and low incomes represent the most significant affordability concerns.” – Ashe Post & Times Feb 2026
The future has only two paths, 1) continuing to widen the gap in favor of those able to pay cash, own a second home here, or use their homes for temporary/short-term accommodations… or 2) to make a conscious choice to build affordable workforce housing communities right here in our highly sought after vacation communities, thus supporting having enough tradesmen and a labor force that will keep our shops and restaurants open all year and provide the skilled labor force to keep building houses and repairs to those existing homes and businesses.
Would you help Tiny Together make real change that will impact our communities for generations?