History of Buncombe County, North Carolina in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 1, 2024

Buncombe County, situated in Western North Carolina, is the seventh most populous county in the state, with a population of 269,452 as per the 2020 census. Asheville serves as its county seat. The county is included in the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

1925: County Border Change

In 1925, the Broad River township of McDowell County was transferred to Buncombe County.

1928: Start of Bellwether Trend

Beginning in 1928, Buncombe County gained recognition as a bellwether county in US presidential elections, consistently voting for the winning candidate.

1960: Exception to Bellwether Trend

The year 1960 marked the sole exception to Buncombe County's streak of voting for the winning presidential candidate between 1928 and 2012.

1961: Opening of Swannanoa Valley Youth Development Center

The North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention opened the Swannanoa Valley Youth Development Center in Swannanoa in 1961. The center housed delinquent boys, including those who lacked English proficiency.

1964: Lyndon B. Johnson's Landslide Win

In the 1964 presidential election, Lyndon B. Johnson secured a landslide victory in Buncombe County, marking a historic moment in the county's political history. This victory remained the strongest by a Democratic candidate until Joe Biden's win in 2020.

1970: Population Growth

Since 1970, Buncombe County has experienced a consistent increase in population, drawing in retirees, individuals seeking second homes, and those from outside the area.

2000: 2000 Census

In 2000, the census reported that Buncombe County had 206,330 residents, 85,776 households, and 55,668 families. The population density was 314 people per square mile.

2003: Completion of I-26 Extension

In 2003, a significant milestone was reached with the completion of Interstate 26, known as Future I-26 in northern Buncombe County. This extension, which ran from Mars Hill (north of Asheville) to Johnson City, Tennessee, marked the end of a two-decade-long construction project through the Blue Ridge Mountains, costing half a billion dollars.

2008: Shift Towards Democratic Party

Since 2008, Buncombe County has shown a strong trend toward the Democratic Party. This shift was evident in the 2008 presidential election, where the county swung from a narrow 0.6-point win for George W. Bush to a decisive 14-point victory for Barack Obama. This Democratic support has persisted, with double-digit margins in every subsequent election, solidifying the county's political lean.

2010: 2010 Census Data Point

The 2020 census indicated that Buncombe County's population increased by 31,104 people (13.0%) since the 2010 census, making it the fastest-growing county in Western North Carolina during that decade.

2012: End of Bellwether Trend

Buncombe County maintained its bellwether status until 2012, voting for the winning presidential candidate in all but one election (1960) from 1928.

2016: Hillary Clinton's Victory

Buncombe County continued its trend of supporting Democratic candidates in 2016, voting for Hillary Clinton for president.

2018: Election of Sheriff Quentin Miller

Quentin Miller was elected as Sheriff of Buncombe County in 2018.

2019: Guilty Plea in Embezzlement Case

Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene and three other former Buncombe County Government employees pleaded guilty to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds in 2019. A county government contractor also pleaded guilty to charges related to the case, which involved bribery, insurance fraud, and federal program fraud. Greene was sentenced to 84 months in prison.

2020: 2020 Census

According to the 2020 census, Buncombe County's population grew by 31,104 residents (13.0%) from 2010, making it Western North Carolina's fastest-growing county of the decade.

2020: Appointment of David Zack as Asheville Police Chief

David Zack was appointed as the Chief of Police for the Asheville Police Department in 2020.

2020: 2020 County Commissioner Election

In 2020, Buncombe County elected its current commissioners: Chair Brownie Newman, Al Whitesides, Terri Wells, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Amanda Edwards, Parker Sloan, and Robert Pressley.

2020: Joe Biden's Victory

Joe Biden's performance in Buncombe County in the 2020 presidential election was the strongest by a Democratic candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson's landslide win in 1964.

2023: Senatorial Representation

As of 2023, Buncombe County is represented in the North Carolina Senate by Julie Mayfield (D-49th) and Warren Daniel (R-46th). Mayfield represents most of the county, including Asheville and its western region, while Daniel represents a portion of the eastern side along with McDowell and Burke counties.