Location

Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the western North Carolina foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Caldwell County’s elevation ranges from 900 feet above sea level to 5,964 feet—the highest elevation change in North Carolina. The Catawba and Yadkin River feed Caldwell County’s lush green valleys, which are in turn framed by the stately mountain views seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway. With a comfortable year-round climate and four distinct yet moderate seasons, Caldwell County boasts a comfortable yearly average temperature of 57.8 degrees and an average annual rainfall of 49 inches. The brilliant colors that burst forth each fall in Caldwell County’s high country spark a tourism pilgrimage. Fall temperatures in the 50s and 60s give way to gentle winter snowfalls, while summer temperatures typically rise into the 80s.

Residents say the location is one of the many reasons they love Caldwell County. Caldwell County is a 20-minute drive northwest from Hickory, 1 hour and 30 minutes from downtown Charlotte and five hours from the coast. Interstate Highway 40, US Highways 64 and 321, and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway keep Caldwell County vitally connected. An entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 40-minute drive from Lenoir. Other metro areas within 100 miles include Asheville and Winston-Salem, NC, Greenville and Spartanburg, SC, and Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol, TN.

The area also has three nearby resources for airline service: Foothills Regional Airport, Hickory Regional Airport (a 20-minute drive), and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (a 75-minute drive).