New Resident Guide
✅ New Resident Checklist
Week One
- Electric (BRMEMC): (800) 451-5474 | brmemc.com
- Water/Sewer (in Murphy town): (828) 837-2510 ext. 1 or 4
- Internet: Peachtree Broadband (828) 837-7118 or BRMEMC (800) 451-5474
- Propane: Ask neighbors — local referrals are best
- Well & Septic: Locate and get baseline water test — (828) 835-3853
- Mail: Murphy Post Office: 53 Hill St | (828) 837-2348
Within 60 Days
- Transfer NC Driver's License — Andrews: 1440 Main St (828) 558-6195 | Hayesville: 1440 Hwy 64 W (828) 389-8133
- Register vehicle — 1176 Andrews Rd, Murphy · (828) 837-2023. Budget for vehicle property tax.
- Register to vote — cherokee.ncsbe.gov | (828) 837-6023
- Update address: USPS, bank, insurance, employer, IRS
- Find a primary care doctor — Erlanger referral: (828) 837-8161
- Find a vet before an emergency
Within 90 Days
- Find a local mechanic — mountain driving is hard on vehicles
- Meet your neighbors — Murphy community genuinely looks out for each other
- Attend one community event — Art Walk, Tuesday flea market, church, high school game
- Check flood zone if near water — msc.fema.gov (critical post-Hurricane Helene 2024)
- Annual well water test — bacteria, pH, nitrates every spring
📞 Important Phone Numbers
📶 Internet & Cell Service
Blue Ridge Mountain EMC — Fiber
~70% of Murphy. Locally operated, actively expanding.
Peachtree Broadband Fiber
Murphy (52.9%), Andrews (92.3%), Marble (94.3%). No contracts.
Starlink — Satellite
100–300 Mbps. $80–120/month + ~$599 hardware. No contracts, no caps.
T-Mobile ❌
Very limited coverage in Cherokee County. Not recommended here.
Cell service: Verizon has the best rural mountain coverage. AT&T works in-town but drops on rural properties. Always test your carrier IN PERSON at any property before buying.
🏫 Schools & Higher Education
Murphy Elementary
Grades K–5
Murphy Middle School
Grades 6–8
Murphy High School
~424 students · 2016 1A State Football Champions
Tri-County Early College
Earn college credits while completing high school. tcec.cherokee.k12.nc.us
Tri-County Community College
Murphy, NC · since 1964. Associate degrees and technical programs. tricountycc.edu
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC (~1 hour). UNC system. Four-year and graduate programs. wcu.edu
🌤️ Weather & Seasons
🌸 Spring (March–May)
Wildflowers, waterfalls running full, cool nights in the 30s–40s, pleasant days to 70s by May. Peak waterfall hiking and whitewater season.
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Mild. Highs high 70s to mid-80s. Nights cool to 60s. Minimal AC needed. If you're escaping Florida heat, Murphy in July feels like a miracle.
🍂 Fall (September–November)
The best season. Peak foliage mid–late October. Mountains turn red, orange, and gold. Folk School Fall Festival first weekend October. Don't miss it.
❄️ Winter (December–February)
Real winters. Snow several times per year. Temperatures into the 20s overnight. Ice on mountain roads is the bigger concern. AWD/4WD strongly recommended for rural properties.
📊 Fast Facts About Murphy
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| County | Cherokee County, NC |
| Murphy Elevation | ~1,600 feet |
| Cherokee County Population | ~30,830 (2025) |
| Effective Property Tax Rate | ~0.29% — very affordable |
| NC Retirement Income Tax | NC does not tax most retirement income |
| Closest Major City | Atlanta, GA — ~2.5 hours |
| Closest Airport | Asheville Regional (AVL) — ~1.5 hours |
| Local Hospital | Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital |
| Community College | Tri-County Community College |
| County Website | cherokeecounty-nc.gov |
| Tourism Website | visitccnc.com |
| Local News | Cherokee Scout — cherokeescout.com |
| Chamber of Commerce | (828) 837-2242 |
🤝 Community Resources & Faith Communities
Community Resources
Murphy Housing Authority
HUD Public Housing Program.
Cherokee County DSS
SNAP, Medicaid, food assistance, referrals.
REACH of Cherokee County
Crisis, emergency shelter, legal assistance.
Veterans Service Office
Penland Senior Center
Meals, activities, health programs for residents 60+.
Legal Aid of NC
Free civil legal services for income-eligible residents.
Faith Communities
Murphy has over 40 places of worship. Here are the major congregations:
First Baptist Church
Serving Murphy for over 180 years. fbcmurphync.org
First United Methodist
Sunday School 9:45am | Worship 11am. In-person, livestream, radio. murphyfirstumc.org
Murphy Presbyterian Church
Traditional Presbyterian congregation downtown.
Saint William Catholic Church
Serves Murphy and surrounding area.
Episcopal Church of the Messiah
Sunday 10:30am. messiahmurphy.com
ReNew Church
Modern worship. Well-reviewed, growing congregation.