Buncombe Apr 2026

: Despite recent disasters, tourism remains a massive pillar, with visitors generating approximately $2.97 billion in 2023. This revenue supports roughly one out of every seven jobs in the county.

Today, Buncombe County—home to the city of Asheville—is defined by its grit and community-driven recovery rather than political fluff. buncombe

: Local initiatives like the One Book, One Buncombe program use literature to explore deep regional history, such as the real-life Kingdom of the Happy Land. Economic and Social Fabric : Despite recent disasters, tourism remains a massive

: The county is currently addressing a "100-year delay" in pedestrian infrastructure, developing its first-ever comprehensive Pedestrian Plan to improve safety for residents in unincorporated areas. : Local initiatives like the One Book, One

: In November 2025, the Board of Commissioners adopted a revised 2030 Strategic Plan that prioritizes affordable housing, environmental resilience, and mental health services in response to recent climate challenges.

The term or "bunkum" originated from a long, irrelevant speech delivered in 1820 by Felix Walker, a U.S. Congressman representing Buncombe County.

Buncombe refers both to a physical place——and the etymological root of the word "bunk" (meaning nonsense). To dive deep into the topic, one must look at the resilient spirit of its modern community and the curious political maneuver that gave the world a new term for empty talk. The Etymology: How a County Became "Nonsense"