Morning fog settles low over the Valley River, and the ridges of the Nantahala National Forest rise on both sides of town. Living in Andrews, NC means a small mountain town on the Valley River about 15 miles northeast of Murphy, with four-lane access on US-19/74/129, a county-owned regional airport, and homes that range from in-town houses to valley acreage and mountain-view cabins. This post is part of my Murphy NC Neighborhood Series, where I look at the towns around Murphy the way a resident would: roads, services, and the homes themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Andrews is in Cherokee County on the south side of the Valley River, a tributary of the Hiwassee, at an elevation of about 1,805 feet.
- Murphy is about 15 miles southwest on the US-19/74/129 four-lane, which bypasses Andrews along its north edge.
- Western Carolina Regional Airport, a county-owned public-use airport, sits about 2 miles west of downtown Andrews.
- Homes inside town limits and homes in unincorporated Cherokee County can have different services, so confirm utilities by address.
- The small community of Marble sits between Andrews and Murphy; its quarries supplied the blue marble on the Cherokee County Courthouse.
Where is Andrews, and how does it connect to Murphy?
I’m Bonnie DuPree, and I have been helping buyers find homes across Cherokee County since 2007. The best place to start with Andrews is the map. Andrews sits in the Valley River valley in the northeastern part of Cherokee County, in what has long been called Valleytown Township. The town lies on the south side of the Valley River, and the land opens into a broad, fairly level valley floor before climbing into national forest on the surrounding slopes.
The connection to Murphy is simple. The US-19/74/129 four-lane runs along the north edge of Andrews and carries you southwest about 15 miles to Murphy, the county seat, passing the small unincorporated community of Marble on the way. For daily life, that means the county courthouse, Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in the Peachtree community, and downtown Murphy are an easy, predictable drive. It’s worth timing the drive yourself from the specific road they are considering, since a home a few miles up a mountain lane adds time beyond the four-lane miles.
If you are starting to compare towns, my Murphy NC lake and community guides cover the wider area, and this series fills in the towns along the valley.
What is the Valley River setting like?
The Valley River is the thread that runs through this whole stretch of Cherokee County. It flows southwest from the Andrews area through Marble and on to Murphy, where it meets the Hiwassee River. At about 1,805 feet, Andrews sits a little higher than Murphy, which is around 1,539 feet, and the valley setting gives the town long views of ridgelines in nearly every direction.
For homeowners, the valley shape shows up in practical ways. Flat or gently rolling parcels near the river are easier to build on and to access in winter, while lots on the surrounding slopes trade a steeper driveway for a wider view. Land closer to the river also deserves a careful look at drainage and flood mapping during due diligence. When you find a home you love, my guide to making a strong offer on a Murphy, NC home explains how due diligence works in North Carolina.
Outdoor time is close at hand. Cover Falls, a waterfall of roughly 55 feet, is one of the area’s scenic spots, and the Nantahala National Forest surrounds the valley with trails and forest roads. That proximity is the everyday advantage of living here: the forest is part of your backyard view rather than a destination you drive toward.
What history shaped Andrews?
Andrews grew up around the railroad. Rail service arrived in 1891, and the line through the Valley River valley helped the town take shape as a stop for timber and freight. Much later, from 1988 to 2010, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad ran excursion trains between Dillsboro and Andrews, a chapter of the town’s rail story.
Between Andrews and Murphy, Marble carries its own piece of county history. The marble quarries there, now filled with water, supplied stone for the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy, dedicated in 1927 and faced in blue marble, as well as for Fontana Dam. When you drive the four-lane between the two towns, you are passing the source of the courthouse you see downtown. For a resident, that history is part of the texture of the drive you make every week.
Town of Andrews or unincorporated county: why does the address matter?
This question matters more than most, because it affects daily costs and routines. Homes inside the Andrews town limits fall under town jurisdiction, and in-town properties may have access to town services such as water and sewer. Homes just outside the limits sit in unincorporated Cherokee County, where many properties rely on a private well and a septic system and follow county rules rather than town rules.
Two homes a mile apart can work very differently, so confirm the following by address before an offer:
- Jurisdiction: inside the Town of Andrews or in unincorporated Cherokee County.
- Water and sewer: public connection, or private well and septic, and the septic permit details from the county health department.
- Electric provider: service across the region may come from Murphy Electric Power Board or Blue Ridge Mountain EMC depending on location, so confirm the provider for the address.
- Internet: options vary road by road, so check service for the specific property.
- Road maintenance: state-maintained, town-maintained, or a private road with a shared maintenance arrangement.
- Trash: how collection works for that address.
| What to confirm | In-town Andrews | Unincorporated Cherokee County |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Town of Andrews | Cherokee County |
| Water and sewer | Town connection may be available; confirm by address | Often private well and septic; confirm by address |
| Road access | Town or state streets | State roads, county roads, or private roads |
| Lot sizes | Typically smaller in-town lots | Ranges from small lots to larger acreage |
| Setting | Close to downtown Andrews | Valley floor, river frontage, or mountain slopes |
What kinds of homes will you find in and around Andrews?
Inventory around Andrews reflects the valley’s shape, and I see a steady mix of property types:
- In-town homes on established streets near downtown Andrews, often on smaller lots with easy access to the four-lane.
- Valley acreage on the flatter land along and near the Valley River, with room for gardens, outbuildings, or pasture.
- Mountain-view homes on the surrounding slopes, where a longer driveway brings layered ridge views.
- Cabins tucked into wooded lots, many with porches facing the forest.
- Land and build sites for those who want to design a home from the ground up.
My Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) training centers on helping buyers match the property to the way they want to live day to day. That means looking past the listing photos to the driveway grade in January, the distance to the four-lane, and whether the lot works with a septic system. When you are ready, you can browse current homes for sale in Andrews and Cherokee County and we can sort them by those practical details.
What does daily life look like from an Andrews address?
From a resident’s point of view, Andrews works as a home base with Murphy as the county hub. Some everyday errands can be handled close to home, and the bigger trips to the courthouse, the hospital in Peachtree, or downtown Murphy are a straight run on the four-lane. Western Carolina Regional Airport, about 2 miles west of downtown Andrews, is a county-owned public-use airport for general aviation.
Downtown Andrews has its own local spots for a meal, and I put together a guide to dining in Andrews, NC along the Valley River that pairs well with this one. Seasonal rhythm matters too. Spring and fall bring long days outdoors, summer settles green across the valley, and winter is the time I like buyers to see a property, when the leaves are down and both the views and the road access are easy to judge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Andrews, NC from Murphy, NC?
Andrews is about 15 miles northeast of Murphy on the US-19/74/129 four-lane. The drive passes through Marble, and your total time depends on how far your home sits off the main road, so time it from the specific address.
Is Andrews in Cherokee County?
Yes. Andrews is in Cherokee County, North Carolina, on the south side of the Valley River. Murphy, about 15 miles southwest, is the county seat.
Do homes in Andrews have town water and sewer?
Some in-town properties may connect to town services, while many homes in unincorporated Cherokee County use a private well and septic system. Service depends on the specific property, so confirm by address before making an offer.
What is the elevation of Andrews, NC?
Andrews sits at about 1,805 feet, a little higher than Murphy at around 1,539 feet. Homes on the surrounding mountain slopes sit higher still.
Is there an airport near Andrews, NC?
Yes. Western Carolina Regional Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport about 2 miles west of downtown Andrews.
Your Local Expert
Based in Murphy, NC — the county seat of Cherokee County — I’m Bonnie DuPree, and since 2007 I have helped buyers and sellers across the valley from Andrews to Murphy. As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR), I focus on matching people with the right property and confirming the details before an offer. With RE/MAX Town & Country, my team serves Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties in North Carolina and Union, Fannin, and Towns counties in Georgia.
Making Andrews your home base
Andrews is the kind of place where the valley, the river, and the forest become part of your weekly routine rather than a weekend getaway. If you would like to tour homes in Andrews or compare them with properties closer to Murphy, reach out to me, Bonnie DuPree, and I will help you sort out the roads, services, and settings that fit your plans.
Make Murphy the home you drive from, not to.
The DuPree Real Estate Group is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. Bonnie DuPree, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Town & Country · Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.
