The Town Files

25 Small Towns in North Carolina With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 188 towns of 500–10,000 people in North Carolina. #1 is Mills River, NC (1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25Woodfin, North Carolina

    6 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Woodfin is a town of 7,936 people in Buncombe County, North Carolina. 6 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on May 6, 1999.

    7,936 people · Buncombe County · median home $366,700 · income $71,384 · Jan low 29°F · 12 in snow

    Full Woodfin, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Woodfin by decade'50'605'70'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Dana, North Carolina

    5 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Dana is a community of 3,683 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 5 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an EF1 on October 8, 2017.

    3,683 people · Henderson County · median home $249,700 · income $60,450 · Jan low 27°F · 7 in snow

    Full Dana, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Dana by decade'50'603'70'80'90'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Randleman, North Carolina

    5 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Randleman is a city of 4,595 people in Randolph County, North Carolina. 5 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F2 on March 29, 1991.

    4,595 people · Randolph County · median home $184,700 · income $53,456 · Jan low 27°F · 5 in snow

    Full Randleman, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Randleman by decade'50'602'70'801'901'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Seven Lakes, North Carolina

    5 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Seven Lakes is a community of 4,900 people in Moore County, North Carolina. 5 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on September 27, 2004.

    4,900 people · Moore County · median home $394,500 · income $91,085 · Jan low 33°F · 3 in snow

    Full Seven Lakes, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Seven Lakes by decade1'50'602'70'801'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Cullowhee, North Carolina

    5 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Cullowhee is a community of 7,682 people in Jackson County, North Carolina. 5 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F2 on June 28, 1976.

    7,682 people · Jackson County · median home $382,300 · income $35,929 · Jan low 26°F · 4 in snow

    Full Cullowhee, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Cullowhee by decade'50'602'70'80'90'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Sylva, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Sylva is a town of 2,578 people in Jackson County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F2 on June 28, 1976.

    2,578 people · Jackson County · median home $201,200 · income $44,086 · Jan low 26°F · 4 in snow

    Full Sylva, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sylva by decade'50'603'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Flat Rock, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Flat Rock is a village of 3,486 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on August 17, 1977.

    3,486 people · Henderson County · median home $601,700 · income $95,098 · Jan low 27°F · 7 in snow

    Full Flat Rock, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Flat Rock by decade'50'603'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18Mountain Home, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Mountain Home is a community of 3,490 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on August 17, 1977.

    3,490 people · Henderson County · median home $400,000 · income $83,083 · Jan low 27°F · 7 in snow

    Full Mountain Home, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Mountain Home by decade'50'603'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    North Wilkesboro is a town of 4,382 people in Wilkes County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an EF1 on April 11, 2024.

    4,382 people · Wilkes County · median home $212,700 · income $38,474 · Jan low 27°F · 6 in snow

    Full North Wilkesboro, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of North Wilkesboro by decade'50'602'70'80'90'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Creedmoor, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Creedmoor is a city of 4,866 people in Granville County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on May 5, 1989.

    4,866 people · Granville County · median home $281,400 · income $82,961 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

    Full Creedmoor, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Creedmoor by decade1'501'60'701'80'901'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15East Flat Rock, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    East Flat Rock is a community of 5,757 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on August 17, 1977.

    5,757 people · Henderson County · median home $245,900 · income $59,583 · Jan low 27°F · 7 in snow

    Full East Flat Rock, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of East Flat Rock by decade'50'603'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Hamlet, North Carolina

    4 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hamlet is a city of 6,025 people in Richmond County, North Carolina. 4 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F3 on August 29, 1964.

    6,025 people · Richmond County · median home $112,600 · income $41,590 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

    Full Hamlet, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hamlet by decade'501'60'70'80'902'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13East Rockingham, North Carolina

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    East Rockingham is a community of 3,471 people in Richmond County, North Carolina. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F3 on August 29, 1964.

    3,471 people · Richmond County · median home $111,800 · income $34,355 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

    Full East Rockingham, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of East Rockingham by decade'501'60'70'80'90'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Franklin, North Carolina

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Franklin is a town of 4,175 people in Macon County, North Carolina. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an EF1 on May 8, 2024.

    4,175 people · Macon County · median home $195,000 · income $47,888 · Jan low 26°F · 3 in snow

    Full Franklin, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Franklin by decade'50'602'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11Fletcher, North Carolina

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Fletcher is a town of 7,987 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on August 17, 1977.

    7,987 people · Henderson County · median home $331,100 · income $75,272 · Jan low 29°F · 10 in snow

    Full Fletcher, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fletcher by decade'50'602'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Rockingham, North Carolina

    3 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Rockingham is a city of 9,243 people in Richmond County, North Carolina. 3 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F3 on August 29, 1964.

    9,243 people · Richmond County · median home $150,800 · income $37,224 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

    Full Rockingham, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Rockingham by decade'501'60'70'80'90'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Royal Pines, North Carolina

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Royal Pines is a community of 4,127 people in Buncombe County, North Carolina. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on May 6, 1999.

    4,127 people · Buncombe County · median home $400,200 · income $107,885 · Jan low 29°F · 10 in snow

    Full Royal Pines, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Royal Pines by decade'50'601'70'801'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8Canton, North Carolina

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Canton is a town of 4,422 people in Haywood County, North Carolina. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on February 18, 1976.

    4,422 people · Haywood County · median home $246,700 · income $69,924 · Jan low 25°F · 10 in snow

    Full Canton, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Canton by decade'50'602'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Swannanoa, North Carolina

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Swannanoa is a community of 5,021 people in Buncombe County, North Carolina. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on June 6, 1977.

    5,021 people · Buncombe County · median home $287,500 · income $69,760 · Jan low 25°F · 29 in snow

    Full Swannanoa, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Swannanoa by decade'50'601'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Etowah, North Carolina

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Etowah is a community of 7,642 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on October 17, 1975.

    7,642 people · Henderson County · median home $338,100 · income $72,596 · Jan low 26°F · 7 in snow

    Full Etowah, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Etowah by decade'50'601'701'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Brevard, North Carolina

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Brevard is a city of 7,744 people in Transylvania County, North Carolina. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F2 on January 10, 1975.

    7,744 people · Transylvania County · median home $450,000 · income $54,103 · Jan low 25°F · 7 in snow

    Full Brevard, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Brevard by decade'50'601'701'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Black Mountain, North Carolina

    2 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Black Mountain is a town of 8,426 people in Buncombe County, North Carolina. 2 tornadoes since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on June 6, 1977.

    8,426 people · Buncombe County · median home $358,900 · income $77,042 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

    Full Black Mountain, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Black Mountain by decade'50'601'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Fairview, North Carolina

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Fairview is a community of 2,771 people in Buncombe County, North Carolina. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an EF0 on May 8, 2024.

    2,771 people · Buncombe County · median home $439,600 · income $92,132 · Jan low 25°F · 29 in snow

    Full Fairview, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fairview by decade'50'60'70'80'90'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Lake Junaluska, North Carolina

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Lake Junaluska is a community of 3,219 people in Haywood County, North Carolina. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on February 18, 1976.

    3,219 people · Haywood County · median home $389,200 · income $66,165 · Jan low 24°F · 11 in snow

    Full Lake Junaluska, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lake Junaluska by decade'50'601'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Mills River, North Carolina

    1 tornado within 10 miles since 1950

    Mills River is a town of 7,078 people in Henderson County, North Carolina. 1 tornado since 1950 (typical North Carolina town: 13); the strongest was an F1 on October 17, 1975.

    7,078 people · Henderson County · median home $436,100 · income $105,398 · Jan low 27°F · 9 in snow

    Full Mills River, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Mills River by decade'50'601'70'80'90'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More North Carolina rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 188 towns of 500–10,000 people in North Carolina (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: