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Western North Carolina Vitality Index

The Western North Carolina Vitality Index (“WNC Vitality Index”) is a web-based tool that presents current information on the environmental, economic, and cultural resources of 27 counties in Western North Carolina. The Index aims to provide planners, decision makers, interest groups, and the public with the information necessary for them to inspire quality discussion and craft informed decisions on issues affecting Western North Carolina’s natural resources and its potential for sustainable growth.

Filled with maps, charts, graphs, and other visuals, the Index compiles information and statistics on a variety of subjects, including:

  • Topography
  • Weather and Climate
  • Water
  • Ecosystems
  • Population
  • Health
  • Education
  • Cultural Resources
  • Land Use
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Energy
  • Income
  • Employment
  • Agriculture
  • Forestry

The WNC Vitality Index is a project of the North Carolina Mountain Resources Commission and was developed by UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) in collaboration with the Mountain Resources Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee.

The WNC Vitality Index was developed with funding from the US Forest Service Southern Research Station and Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.