Lenoir, NC, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 18,352, Lenoir offers small-town living in the Blue Ridge foothills - but don't expect big-city amenities. The furniture industry that once drove the economy has downsized, replaced by healthcare and education as the top employers. While the surrounding mountains provide outdoor recreation, the bureaucracy around economic development incentives suggests this community is more focused on the past than the future.

Those seeking an affordable, quiet pace of life may find Lenoir to their liking, but the lack of modern industry and persistent small-town headaches make it a poor fit for ambitious professionals.