Beech Mountain spent more per resident in 2022 than 99% of similar cities
Beech Mountain’s town government spent $7.9 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $24,831 per resident. Water and other utilities ($1.4 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Beech Mountain is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$24,831 per resident in 2022: more than 99% of them
Beech Mountain’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($24,831 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 221 North Carolina cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $800, and the middle half spent $425–$1,295. Beech Mountain spent more than 99% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($309,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
North Carolina cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Beech Mountain itself left out).
About $24,831 per resident a year, or $68.03 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 35%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Beech Mountain reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $2,859 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.64% of the home’s value, vs 0.66% across North Carolina.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Beech Mountain’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.
Tax bills are one input to Beech Mountain’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Beech Mountain →
Who’s in charge in Beech Mountain
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Beech Mountain’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on townofbeechmountain.com ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 5 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (320).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Watauga County Schools
Beech Mountain’s K–12 school district, shared with Boone, Blowing Rock, Seven Devils. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,322 per pupil, $8,467 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
North Carolina districts overall: 26% local, 57% state, 17% federal.
Avery County Schools · $15,855 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Beech Mountain’s votes are counted by county
North Carolina reports official results by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Beech Mountain alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Watauga County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat52.0%17,225 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican46.1%15,254 votesOthers: 1.9% (616 votes).
Most votes in Watauga County: Kamala D Harris
North Carolina: Trump 50.9%, Harris 47.6%
91% of Beech Mountain lies in Watauga County; the rest in Avery County. Every 2024 race in Watauga County is on the county’s page.
Watauga County’s 2024 results →Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Beech Mountain.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: townofbeechmountain.com ↗
- 2North Carolina HouseBeech Mountain is split between 2 districts
- 3North Carolina SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseSplit between districts
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of North Carolina
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Beech Mountain’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Beech Mountain’s government
How much does Beech Mountain spend per resident?
About $24,831 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $24,831 was more than 99% of 221 North Carolina cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Beech Mountain?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $2,859 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.64% of the typical home’s value, vs 0.66% across North Carolina. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see townofbeechmountain.com.
Who runs Beech Mountain’s government?
See townofbeechmountain.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Beech Mountain yet.
How did Beech Mountain vote in 2024?
North Carolina counts votes by county and precinct, not by town, so there are no official results for Beech Mountain alone. Watauga County, where 91% of Beech Mountain lies, voted Harris 52.0%, Trump 46.1% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for Beech Mountain?
68 full-time and 10 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $262,252 (about $3.1M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents Beech Mountain in the state legislature?
Beech Mountain is split among 2 State House districts, so your address decides. The North Carolina Legislature’s lookup finds yours. Its State Senate district is District 47 (Ralph Hise). Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Beech Mountain’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →