A recent study by SmartAsset (Smart Asset Study), showed Hendersonville was ranked the best place to retire in North Carolina. There were other mountain communities that ranked highly including Brevard and Black Mountain. Hickory, Marion and Forest City were also in the Top Ten.

The study used several factors to consider their ranking. First, they looked at state and local tax rates (income and sales). Also considered were the number of doctors’ offices, recreation centers and retirement centers per thousand residents in each location. The third factor was the percentage of each cities population that were considered seniors.

Hendersonville far outpaced the other contenders in number of doctor's offices with 6.9 per 1,000 people. Brevard was next in the top ten at 4.1. Recreation centers was another area that Hendersonville ranked highly with 1.4 per 1,000 people right behind Brevard with 2.0.

The tax burden index was similar for all the top ten communities in which to retire. Henderson County has long been a desired destination for retirement. This is one reason the county's population has increased about 9% since between 2010 and 2020 according to the most recent census figures.

With its beneficial mix of rural and urban settings, Hendersonville is an attractive retirement destination. It is also a highly desired vacation spot. As the leaves and turning and the apples are ripe, people flock to the mountains and particularly to Henderson County for the lovely sites and tasty apples.

As this study shows, Henderson County will likely continue to see growth for the foreseeable future. As a large number of people are reaching retirement age in the U.S., this study will surely be one of many that points people to the mountains and more specifically to the place we call home. "The mountains are calling and I must go."