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Lake Lure, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Polk County County

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,488 Population 113/sq mi density
$72,813 Median Income $66,090 per capita
$510,300 Home Value $441,953 Zillow
$778 Median Rent 31.3% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature 301 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,813 median income, 1.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$510,300 home value, $778/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Lake Lure enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 301 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 59.3 inches. The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average58.6°F
9% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,385 ft (422 m)
Area14.6 sq mi (37.8 km²)
Population Density113/sq mi
Coordinates35.4484°N, 82.2022°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportAsheville Regional (AVL)
19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.3"
56% above US avg
Snowfall 3.1"
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.51"
Driest Month (Apr) 4.06"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score36.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability84.7 / 100
Community Resilience29.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

56 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.4. Most recent: M2.5 on Aug 23, 2025.

Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 91 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 62 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 129 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 137 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 135 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 143 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 130 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 11 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 49 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 128 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 121 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 147 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 93 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina M2.9 129 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 53 km
Feb 12, 2021 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee M2.8 73 km
May 23, 2023 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina M2.8 61 km
Aug 14, 2025 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina M2.7 15 km
Aug 4, 2017 8 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M2.7 135 km
Mar 21, 2004 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M2.7 15 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Hugo (1989, Cat 2).

Year Name Category Closest
1989 Hugo Category 4 130 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tornado History

291 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 421 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 88 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF4 48 km 2
May 5, 1989 EF4 56 km 4
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 86 km 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 85 km 6
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 85 km 0
May 27, 1973 EF3 78 km 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 72 km 2
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 87 km 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 64 km 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 68 km 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 78 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 56 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 80 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 57 km 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 92 km 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 39 km 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 69 km 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 66 km 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 99 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 ac, 2000).

Year Name Acres Distance
2000 BRUSHY RIDGE 12,405 54 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 4 km
2016 PINNACLE MOUNTAIN 7,869 64 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 49 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 53 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 74 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 63 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 29 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 52 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 31 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 79 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 59 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 69 km
2016 HALLS TOP 2,464 97 km
2010 BROWN GAP CREEK-A 2,210 81 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 29 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,026 79 km
2008 SUNRISE 1,906 52 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,879 41 km
2018 UNNAMED 1,812 37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 39°F (4°C) 4.5 in Coldest
February 40°F (5°C) 4.4 in
March 48°F (9°C) 5.5 in Wettest
April 55°F (13°C) 4.1 in Driest
May 63°F (17°C) 5.0 in
June 70°F (21°C) 4.8 in
July 77°F (25°C) 4.6 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.8 in
September 67°F (19°C) 4.2 in
October 57°F (14°C) 4.2 in
November 48°F (9°C) 4.3 in
December 40°F (5°C) 4.1 in

Lake Lure has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.5") and April the driest (4.1").

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