Sylva, NC, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 2,578, Sylva is a sleepy small town nestled in the Plott Balsam Mountains of Western North Carolina. While it offers a picturesque setting close to the Cherokee Indian Reservation and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the town's infrastructure and economy are limited. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the county courthouse no longer serves as the official seat of justice. And with a median household income of just $26,432, nearly 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. Sylva may appeal to outdoorsy types seeking a slower pace of life, but those seeking urban amenities or economic opportunity would be better off looking elsewhere.