Graham County

Graham County is an administrative county in the western mountains of North Carolina. Much of the land here is forested and hilly, with the Nantahala National Forest covering a significant portion.

The county was formed in 1872 from Cherokee County and named after William A. Graham, a Senator and Governor of North Carolina. The land was long home to Cherokee people before being organized as a county.

The Snowbird Cherokee community maintains its presence here with their own traditions and way of life. Visitors can encounter this heritage through the people and places they meet in the county.

Robbinsville is the main town where county services and the courthouse are located. The terrain here is mountainous and outdoor recreation is common throughout the area.

This county was North Carolina's last dry county until 2021, when alcohol sales were finally permitted. For decades it remained an exception to the state's broader approach to beverages.

Location: North Carolina

Inception: 1872

Capital city: Robbinsville

Shares border with: Swain County, Cherokee County, Blount County, Macon County, Monroe County

Website: http://grahamcounty.org

GPS coordinates: 35.35000,-83.83000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:02