he foothills region of North Carolina sits in a “Goldilocks” position environmentally as well as demographically and culturally – not too much, not too little, just right.
This region experiences warmer temperatures (plant hardiness zone 7a), less precipitation (especially in the form of snow), fewer gusty winds, longer spring and fall seasons, and more sunshine on average than its mountainous neighbor to the west (plant hardiness zone 6b). In contrast, this region is a bit cooler and receives a bit more precipitation than the piedmont to the east (plant hardiness zone 7b). As a result, the foothills function as an ecotone, supporting a mix of flora and fauna from the ecoregions around them.
Similarly, the culture of the foothills region differs from the mountains and the piedmont. Population centers in the mountains are scattered, and with few exceptions, are not densely populated. Many of the residents are seasonal tourists visiting the High Country to enjoy the cool summers, colorful fall leaves, or the snowy winter ski season. In Boone, home to Appalachian State University, a large portion of the population is academic in nature. In contrast, the piedmont is dominated by large urban centers with densely packed populations and the transportation infrastructure to match. The towns and cities of the foothills are small, the traffic is less, and the communities are close knit. This once industrialized region has suffered economically from the globalization that moved jobs to other countries and is working hard to redefine its collective identity and redevelop its communities.
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Foothills Counties
