Buncombe County, North Carolina

Buncombe County, North Carolina
Motto: 
"People To Match Our Mountains"
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Interactive map of Buncombe County, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°37′N 82°32′W / 35.61°N 82.53°W / 35.61; -82.53
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1792
Named afterEdward Buncombe
SeatAsheville
Largest cityAsheville
Area
 • Total
659.95 sq mi (1,709.3 km2)
 • Land656.50 sq mi (1,700.3 km2)
 • Water3.45 sq mi (8.9 km2)  0.52%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
269,452
 • Estimate 
(2024)
279,210
 • Density410.37/sq mi (158.44/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitebuncombenc.gov

Buncombe County (/ˈbʌŋkəm/ BUNK-um) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is classified within Western North Carolina. The 2020 census reported the population was 269,452, making it the 7th-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Asheville. Buncombe County is part of the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.