8 minute read
A GLANCE AT BOONE
A view of the historic downtown Appalachian Theatre.
PHOTO BY JOSH FLOYD
BY MOSS BRENNAN
The small town of Boone is the largest municipality — and the county seat — of Watauga County. It’s the home of a thriving — and ever growing — college campus that’s known nationally. It’s recognized as an outdoor recreation destination around the country. It’s the epitome of small-town living in a tightknit community that boasts a very small crime rate.
It’s surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes that turn into a canopy of golden colors in the fall. All of these reasons and more make Boone the best place to live.
The town of Boone was incorporated in 1872 — meaning it celebrated its 150th birthday in 2022. The town acquired its name from the famous pioneer and explorer Daniel Boone, who hunted and camped in the area.
Boone has the highest elevation (3,300 feet) of any town greater than a 10,000 population east of the Mississippi River. The altitude contributes to mild summer weather — an escape from the heat and humidity of the greater South. In the winter, snowfalls create natural beauty that’s hard to match anywhere else.
Travelers can access Boone via U.S. 421, U.S. 321 and U.S. 221, which provide access to Interstates 40, 77, 85, 81 and 26. The Blue Ridge Parkway — a scenic mountain
PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN Artists were abound in King Street for Buskers Fest.
SEE GLANCE ON PAGE 14
WATAUGA AND BOONE BY THE NUMBERS
The following information is compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau, Watauga County and the N.C. Department of Commerce.
POPULATION
GEOGRAPHY
• Land area in square miles, 2020: Boone: 6.31; Watauga County, 312.56 • Persons per square mile, 2020: Boone, 2,792.8; Watauga, 163.4
EDUCATION
• Percent of persons 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher, 2016-2020: Boone, 87.3%; Watauga, 90.6% • Percent of persons 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 2016-2020: Boone, 48.1%; Watauga, 42.7%
INCOME (WATAUGA COUNTY)
• Median household income, 2016-2010: $46.453 • Percent of persons below poverty level: 15.8%
A 2013 report from the U.S. Census Bureau found that the presence of off-campus college students can skew a community’s poverty rates higher
OTHER
• Property tax rate (per $100 valuation): Boone, 36 cents; Watauga, 31.8 cents • Unemployment rate, Watauga County, August 2022: 3.4%
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PHOTO BY JOSH FLOYD Crowds can always be seen walking along King Street.
GLANCE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
road and national park that traverses 469 miles in North Carolina and Virginia — also passes through the county, which gives majestic views of the mountains with multiple entrances within 20 minutes less of Boone.
Multiple neighborhoods are within walking distance of downtown Boone, which offers a mix of college town culture, mountain heritage and arts, as well as commerce.
In downtown Boone, diverse businesses, restaurants, shops and boutiques line King Street offering many unique items and storefronts. During the summer, visitors can hear music from the lawn of the Jones House in downtown or even stop by one of the festivals that take place along King Street.
One of the town’s greatest amenities is the AppalCART — a free transportation service around Boone, with additional routes in the county available for a small fee. Even the education brings people to Boone.
Appalachian State University provides amenities and economic benefits comparable to those in a much larger city.
The town is actively supportive of the local agricultural sector, with weekly farmer’s markets in two locations for a good portion of the year and retailers that provide year-round access to locally grown and raised produce and products.
According to the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, Watauga County and Boone have much lower crime rates than other areas in North Carolina. Watauga County’s 2021 index crime rate of 1,191.8 per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the state average rate of 2,586.4 per 100,000. The violent crime rate is also lower with 139.3 per 100,000 in Watauga compared to the state average of 430.2 per 100,000.
Boone is a great place to live. Whether you’re stopping by on a vacation, or just moving here, make sure to read more in “Boone My Hometown” about the place people call home.
PHOTO BY JOSH FLOYD The Jones House is an iconic spot in downtown Boone.
4 Under 40 Awards
Highlighting emerging High Country leaders
BY ETHAN WALTON
Four emerging leaders and a community advocate were honored during the 6th annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards ceremony. The event was hosted Thursday evening, April 28, 2022, in front of a crowd of more than 150 attendees at The Mill at Rock Creek in Boone. The 4 Under 40 awards are presented annually by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.
“The depth and experience represented in this year’s group of finalists once again shows the quality of emerging talent that will lead our community through our next set of challenges and opportunities,” said David Jackson, President of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s meaningful and exciting to see women make a clean sweep of each of our categories. It’s a visible sign that communities like ours are made stronger by embracing all perspectives. Reba Moretz is a shining example of the impact women have had during pivitol moments in the development of our community. The achievements displayed by those recognized today will further motivate the next generation of leaders that will guide our community in the years to come. ”
More than 30 nominations were submitted by local community members and 16 finalists were recognized during the event. Nominees were sought in the categories of business owner, education professional, nonprofit business professional, and rising star. A biography of each award winner is listed below:
Business Owner: Megan Ward, The Care Collective
Megan Ward is a Watauga County native, growing up in Zionville, attending Mabel School, and graduating from Watauga High School. She stayed close to home to attend Appalachian State University, where she graduated with a degree in Business Management and minors in Art and Art History in 2007.
Shortly after graduation, Megan began her path toward becoming a massage therapist, completing her training and becoming fully licensed in 2010. Her first business venture was opening Everybody Massage & Bodywork in 2011. Four years later she opened The Care Collective inside Shear Shakti in downtown Boone, hiring her first employee in 2015.
After a successful six years of business in downtown, Megan moved The Care Collective to a new space inside the Forestview Professional Building on State Farm Road, expanding services and growing her staff to 16 professionals. The team at The Care
PHOTO BY JOSH FLOYD Megan Ward, Jamie Parson, Danielle Neibaur and Caroline Poteat were honored at the 4 Under 40 awards.
Collective works from the mission to mindfully serve the community, helping clients heal injuries, avoid surgery, find relief from chronic pain, reduce stress, and maintain a pain-free body.
Additional Finalists: Carrie Canviness, Interface Environmental Consulting, LLC; Angela Heavner, 180 Float Spa; Bryan Kossol, Everybody’s Loaded Biscuit
Education Professional: Dr. Jamie Parson, Chief Diversity Officer, Appalachian State University
Dr. Jamie Parson is the Interim Chief Diversity Officer and an Associate Professor in the Department of Finance,
SEE LEADERS ON PAGE 17
