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Valle Crucis, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Watauga County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
243 Population 55/sq mi density
46°F Avg Temperature 299 sunny days/yr
93 Violent Crime/100K 2,690 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
93 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
72.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Valle Crucis experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 57.8 inches. The area receives 66.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average45.8°F
15% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,189 ft (972 m)
Area4.4 sq mi (11.5 km²)
Population Density55/sq mi
Coordinates36.2156°N, 81.7966°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyWatauga County County
Nearest AirportFoothills Regional (MRN)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.8"
52% above US avg
Snowfall 66.5"
Wettest Month (Mar) 5.00"
Driest Month (Dec) 3.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score71.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability61.5 / 100
Community Resilience68.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave No Rating
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

44 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.4. Most recent: M2.7 on Aug 14, 2025.

Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 66 km
Jun 16, 2006 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina M3.4 149 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 68 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 120 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 117 km
Nov 8, 1990 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky M3.2 148 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 143 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 31 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 85 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 143 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 46 km
Jan 22, 1995 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia M2.9 129 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 13 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 79 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 59 km
Feb 15, 2005 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia M2.8 109 km
Feb 12, 2021 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee M2.8 64 km
May 23, 2023 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina M2.8 119 km
Jul 15, 2021 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 143 km
May 12, 2017 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 146 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Hurricane History

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

Year Name Category Closest
1989 Hugo Category 1 180 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980–2026)

Tornado History

179 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 298 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 54 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF4 85 km 4
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 82 km 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 93 km 6
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 50 km 3
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 50 km 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 71 km 1
May 26, 2022 EF2 82 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 64 km 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 96 km 0
Jan 11, 2012 EF2 68 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 26 km 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 81 km 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 81 km 0
Oct 26, 2010 EF2 80 km 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 78 km 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 82 km 0
Nov 15, 2006 EF2 100 km 0
Jul 7, 2005 EF2 71 km 0
Jul 7, 2005 EF2 97 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 40 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 92 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 45 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 68 km
2016 SILVER MINE 6,082 96 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 60 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 68 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 43 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 62 km
2001 LARMAN 3,072 100 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 36 km
2000 TIPTON HILL 2,661 45 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,242 39 km
2014 UNNAMED 2,194 86 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 67 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,026 67 km
2008 SUNRISE 1,906 41 km
2015 UNNAMED 1,879 52 km
2018 UNNAMED 1,812 58 km
2016 RAILROAD GRADE 2016 1,790 28 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 3.7 in Coldest
February 34°F (1°C) 4.0 in
March 41°F (5°C) 5.0 in Wettest
April 49°F (10°C) 4.2 in
May 57°F (14°C) 4.9 in
June 64°F (18°C) 4.6 in
July 63°F (17°C) 4.6 in
August 67°F (19°C) 4.5 in Warmest
September 62°F (17°C) 4.2 in
October 52°F (11°C) 4.0 in
November 43°F (6°C) 4.1 in
December 35°F (2°C) 3.4 in Driest

Valle Crucis has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 27°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and December the driest (3.4").

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