North Carolina Waterfront
Lake James Homes For Sale
Crystal Water. Mountain Views. Real Value.
Lakefront Communities on Lake James
From gated golf communities to quiet cove neighborhoods, find the community that fits your lifestyle. Each offers its own character, amenities, and waterfront access.
Cleanest Water on the Catawba
Fed by the Linville and Catawba Rivers through protected mountain watersheds — consistently rated the most pristine of the 11 Catawba-Wateree impoundments.
Blue Ridge Mountain Backdrop
Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge with dramatic mountain views, cool elevations, and proximity to Linville Gorge and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Lake James State Park
A nationally recognized state park with sandy beaches, hiking trails, and mountain-biking routes draws outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
Affordable Mountain Lakefront
Burke and McDowell County prices offer strong value compared to Asheville-area or Charlotte-area lake properties, with lower tax rates.
Between Two Cities
Roughly one hour to both Asheville and Charlotte, providing access to two distinct metros for employment, dining, healthcare, and air travel.
Protected Shoreline
Strict watershed protection ordinances with 125-foot vegetative buffers preserve natural beauty and limit overdevelopment along the shoreline.
Why Buyers Are Choosing Lake James
Here's what makes Lake James one of the most sought-after destinations in the Southeast.
Cleanest Water on the Catawba
Fed by the Linville and Catawba Rivers through protected mountain watersheds — consistently rated the most pristine of the 11 Catawba-Wateree impoundments.
Blue Ridge Mountain Backdrop
Nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge with dramatic mountain views, cool elevations, and proximity to Linville Gorge and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Lake James State Park
A nationally recognized state park with sandy beaches, hiking trails, and mountain-biking routes draws outdoor enthusiasts year-round.
Affordable Mountain Lakefront
Burke and McDowell County prices offer strong value compared to Asheville-area or Charlotte-area lake properties, with lower tax rates.
Between Two Cities
Roughly one hour to both Asheville and Charlotte, providing access to two distinct metros for employment, dining, healthcare, and air travel.
Protected Shoreline
Strict watershed protection ordinances with 125-foot vegetative buffers preserve natural beauty and limit overdevelopment along the shoreline.
Featured Homes on Lake James
Hand-picked properties showcasing the best of lakefront living.
All Active Listings on Lake James
118 waterfront and lake-access homes currently on the market.
$6,290,0003645 Yancey Road
Marion, NC 28752
21,101 sqft
$3,890,0001503 Black Forest Drive
Marion, NC 28752
4 bd4 ba4,088 sqftBlack Forest
$3,650,0005140 Beech Bluff Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
5 bd4 ba6,085 sqftSouthpointe
$3,450,0002007 Old Wildlife Club Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
5 bd6 ba3,465 sqftOld Wildlife Club
$3,400,0002050 Long Rifle Ridge Road
Nebo, NC 28761
4 bd4 ba4,676 sqft1780
$3,000,000163 Cabin Bluff Drive 4
Marion, NC 28752
4 bd3 ba3,384 sqftBlack Forest
$2,850,00027 Anchor Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
5 bd4 ba4,960 sqftThe Arbor At Lake James
$2,825,00010 Otter Cove Court
Nebo, NC 28761
3 bd5 ba5,326 sqftSunset Point
$2,700,0002186 Long Rifle Ridge Road
Nebo, NC 28761
4 bd3 ba4,043 sqft1780
$2,699,9995162 Beech Bluff Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
5 bd4 ba4,009 sqftSouthpointe
$2,690,000143 Nature Walk Drive
Marion, NC 28752
4 bd3 ba3,713 sqftBlack Forest
$2,549,0001831 Sandy Cove Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
4 bd3 ba4,168 sqftSouthpointe
$2,495,0002349 Cornwallis Trail
Nebo, NC 28761
4 bd3 ba2,937 sqft1780
$2,400,0004950 Canterbury Place
Morganton, NC 28655
5 bd5 ba6,579 sqftEast Shores
$2,100,000179 Turtle Head Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
Old Wildlife Club
$1,875,000810 Tbd Marina Drive 1, 2 & 3
Nebo, NC 28761
$1,499,9991441 Southpointe Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
4 bd3 ba3,201 sqftSouthpointe
$1,449,0003201 Donahue Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
3 bd2 ba2,939 sqft1780
$1,425,000192 Lake Club Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
4 bd5 ba4,777 sqftLake View Estate
$1,395,0001416 Southpointe Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
6 bd5 ba5,556 sqftSouthpointe
$1,340,0001559 Old Hwy 10 Road
Marion, NC 28752
$1,324,00094 Osprey Roost Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
4 bd3 ba3,177 sqftOld Wildlife Club
$1,254,000357 Lentz Landing Lane
Nebo, NC 28761
3 bd5 ba4,085 sqftWaterglyn
$1,230,0001439 Camp Firestone Drive
Nebo, NC 28761
All Communities on Lake James
22 neighborhoods across 3 cities.
Morganton
Nebo
Bear Cliff
$89K· 9 active
Bear Cliff Village
$366K
Holiday Shores
$1.3M
Lakeview Hills
$525K
Lakeview Pointe
$1.6M· 1 active
Lakeview Shores
$725K
Laurel Pointe
$670K
Mallard Cove
$1.2M
Mallard Pointe
$725K· 1 active
Old Wildlife Club
$1.0M· 12 active
Sunset Point
$199K· 3 active
The Arbor At Lake James
$75K· 17 active
The Peninsula At Lake James
$185K· 12 active
Waterglyn
$1.3M· 3 active
Moving to Lake James?
Everything you need to know about relocating — from airport access to tax savings.
Airports & Access
- AVL
Asheville Regional
1 hr drive
- CLT
Charlotte Douglas Intl
1 hr 20 min drive
- GSP
Greenville-Spartanburg Intl
1 hr 45 min drive
Tax Advantages
- Flat NC income tax of 4.25%, dropping to 3.99% in 2026
- Social Security benefits fully exempt from NC income tax
- No state estate or inheritance tax
- Burke and McDowell County tax rates lower than Charlotte-area counties
Nearby Cities
- Morganton15 min
- Marion15 min
- Hickory30 min
- Asheville1 hr
How Does It Compare?
Lake James delivers the pristine mountain-lake experience that coastal buyers dream about — crystal-clear water, mountain panoramas, and protected shorelines, all within an hour of both Charlotte and Asheville.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake James
- How many homes are for sale on Lake James?
- There are currently 118 active listings on Lake James.
- What is the median home price on Lake James?
- The median list price for homes on Lake James is $575,000.
- What communities are on Lake James?
- Popular communities include The Arbor At Lake James, Old Wildlife Club, Southpointe, The Peninsula At Lake James, Bear Cliff. There are 22 named communities on Lake James.
- Is Lake James in South Carolina or North Carolina?
- Lake James is located in North Carolina.
- What are the tax benefits of living on Lake James?
- Flat NC income tax of 4.25%, dropping to 3.99% in 2026. Social Security benefits fully exempt from NC income tax. No state estate or inheritance tax. Burke and McDowell County tax rates lower than Charlotte-area counties.
