Balsam, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Balsam, North Carolina
nickname =
motto =


imagesize = 180px
image_caption = Balsam Mountain Inn


image_



mapsize =
map_caption = Location in North Carolina
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_name2 = Jackson County
leader_title =
leader_name =
established_title = unincorporated
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_km2 =
area_land_sq_mi = 3.2
area_water_km2 = 0
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_percent = 0
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 49
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi = 49
timezone = Eastern
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_m = 1008
elevation_ft = 3307
footnotes =

Balsam is an unincorporated community located in the Scott Creek township of Jackson County, in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 49. There is one United States Post Office in the town. The Zip Code is 28707.

Balsam is located near Balsam Gap, a mountain pass through the Great Balsam Mountains, one of the highest ranges in the Appalachian Mountains.

The town and range are named after the Balsam Fir.

Geography

Balsam is located at coor dms|35|25|58|N|83|05|22|W|city (35.255789, -83.05217)GR|1. The town's altitude above sea level is 3,307 feet (1008 meters.)

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 49 people, 14 households, and 11 families residing in the town. The population density was 759.7 people per square mile (292.9/km²). There were 41 housing units at an average density of 400.3/sq mi (154.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 75.1% White, 12.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 3.6% Asian, 5.5% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.5% of the population.

There were 14 households out of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.4% were married couples living together, 0.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 0.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.50 and the average family size was 3.73.

In the town the population was spread out with 34.7% under the age of 20, 4.1% from 20 to 24, 10.2% from 25 to 34, 14.3% from 35 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.5 years. The population was 40.8% male, 30.6% female for people 18 and older.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,531, and the median income for a family was $43,750. The per capita income for the town was $13,869. No families and 0.0% of the population were below the poverty line.

History

Balsam was a tourist stop on the Murphy Branch of the Western North Carolina Railroad, later the Southern Railway. In the early 20th century, tourists would travel from Asheville to the train depot at Balsam and stay at the nearby Balsam Mountain Inn. Today, the depot no longer stands and the original siding sees little use by the Norfolk Southern Railway. Balsam Mountain Inn, still in operation, serves as a nostalgic reminder of a by-gone era.

Recreation

Balsam is located near several popular recreational areas, some of which are accessible from the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.
*Water Rock Knob
*Moonshine Creek Campground
*Graveyard Fields
*Balsam Mountain Inn

References

External links