Boone, NC Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Boone, NC: What You Need to Know

Boone is the seat of Watauga County in the Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina. The town’s rugged beauty is synonymous with its namesake, the legendary explorer Daniel Boone.

Local History of Boone, NC

The area used to be a hunting ground for the Cherokees. In 1752, Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg of Pennsylvania explored the region, seeking land for Moravian colonists to settle. The first white settlers came from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England. Boone’s post office was established in 1850, while the town was incorporated in 1872. Boone was named after pioneer Daniel Boone, born in Pennsylvania. He lived more years in North Carolina than in any other territory or colony.

Schools in Boone, NC

The Appalachian State University (19,108 students) is located in Boone. It’s one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system. The university offers more than 150 bachelor's programs and 70 graduate programs. There are 86 other universities and colleges within 100 miles of the town. There are six public schools serving 3,438 students in Boone.

Is Boone, NC an Affordable Place?

Yes, Boone (population: 19,667) is an affordable college town. It’s the largest community and the economic hub of North Carolina’s High Country region, which consists of seven counties. Boone’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 14.3%, 21.8%, and 48.7% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent is $900. North Carolina collects 5.25% in income tax and 4.75% in statewide sales tax. Counties levy additional sales taxes. 

What Can You Do for Fun in Boone, NC? 

Boone offers some of the state’s best outdoor recreation. There are three zipline attractions for all ages in the area. You can soar above the trees and meadows in a zipline adventure at Hawksnest, 14 miles from Boone, which is open year-round. In the winter, the Appalachian Ski Mountain attracts visitors from far and wide. It has 10 slopes, two terrain parks, two quad chairlifts, one double chairlift, one conveyor lift, and one handle pull lift. There are two other ski mountains in Watauga County.

What’s Unique About Boone, NC?

You’ll never find an outdoor performance like “Horn in the West” anywhere in the country. The drama tells the story and heroism of Daniel Boone and the important role of Appalachian pioneers at the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolutionary War. The show has been performed in the heart of Boone, in a beautiful amphitheater above the town, every summer since 1952. The show runs from late June to mid-August.