Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, the Asheville area attracts newcomers for its astounding quality of life, low crime rate and welcoming entrepreneurial environment. Known for its culinary delights, history, architecture, natural settings and as a Mecca for adventure lovers, Asheville has something for everyone. 
Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself. 
Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber. 
Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events. 
Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) is a non-profit organization focused on connecting young professionals through community and social events. Get involved and learn more about opportunities for business networking, professional development, service through volunteering, leadership training and social events. 
Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here. 
The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors. 
Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently. 
Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business. 
Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community. 
Building Activity Reports
Residential Building Permits
| Year | New Units | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,310 | $847,083,000 |
| 2007 | 3,648 | $739,846,000 |
| 2008 | 2,572 | $465,000,000 |
| 2009 | 1,465 | $267,520,000 |
| 2010 | 2,038 | $278,780,000 |
Asheville MSA Housing Units
| Year | Asheville MSA Housing Units |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 195,507 |
| 2007 | 198,872 |
| 2008 | 219,084 |
| 2009 | 206,770 |
| 2010 | 207,840 |
Asheville Area House Sales
| Year | Units Sold | Total Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3,637 | $988,637,241 |
| 2007 | 3,325 | $982,237,368 |
| 2008 | 2,403 | $669,062,760 |
| 2009 | 2,160 | $567,440,126 |
| 2010 | 2,162 | $542,629,021 |
Homes Sold Median Sell Price
| Year | Median Sell Price for Buncombe County |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 205,000 |
| 2007 | 227,000 |
| 2008 | 220,000 |
| 2009 | 205,000 |
| 2010 | 204,000 |
Asheville Area Rent Trends
| Year | One Bedroom | Two Bedroom | Three Bedroom | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | $656 | $746 | $852 | $735 |
| 2007 | $677 | $784 | $1,030 | $792 |
| 2008 | $673 | $780 | $951 | $778 |
| 2009 | ||||
| 2010 |
Residential Appreciation
| Residential Appreciation: 2Q 2011 | 1 Year | 5 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville MSA (All Transactions Indexes) | -4.35% | -0.36% |
| North Carolina (All Transactions Indexes) | -4.17% | -1.85% |
| United States (All Transactions Indexes) | -4.48% | -14.57% |
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