Avery County is located in the Northwest mountains of North Carolina in what is known as the "High Country." The county population is about 15,000 with each of its small towns having fewer than 1,000 people (most with far less). Newland, the county seat, has the distinction of being the highest in elevation of any county seat east of the Mississippi.

The county is entirely rural with agriculture (Christmas trees and ornamental shrubbery) and tourism as its only industries.

Each of the small towns is completely unique with individual personalities which portray the history of the proud people who settled and developed them. Virtually all of the businesses fall into the "small business" category and the majority are "Mom and Pop" enterprises employing fewer than ten people.

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