The Quiet Billionaires of Cashiers, NC

At first glance, Cashiers, North Carolina feels like a place time politely forgot. Perched at roughly 3,500 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town centers on a single, unassuming crossroads where Buck’s Coffee Café doubles as a community gathering place. There’s no mayor, no police department, and no public water system—just wells, winding roads, and a pace of life that feels closer to Mayberry than Malibu.

And yet, hidden behind dense rhododendron thickets and along serpentine mountain roads, Cashiers has quietly become one of the most concentrated enclaves of wealth in the United States.

What looks like a rustic mountain village is, in reality, a sanctuary for billionaires who prefer privacy over publicity and understated elegance over excess.

Key Takeaways

Cashiers, NC has one of the highest concentrations of wealth per capita in the country, despite a population under 1,000.
At least four billionaires and dozens of multimillionaires own property in and around the Cashiers–Highlands Plateau.
Average home prices have nearly doubled since 2020, with trophy estates now trading above $10 million.
The area’s appeal lies in its anonymity, natural beauty, and lack of commercial sprawl.

A Town That Doesn’t Look the Part

Cashiers occupies just over four square miles and is home to roughly 825 full-time residents. Visitors arriving via Highway 107 or U.S. Route 64 often remark on how remote it feels—nearly 45 minutes from the nearest commercial hub on narrow, winding mountain roads.

There are no flashing signs of extreme wealth. No designer storefronts announcing themselves. No skyline of glass and steel. Instead, the town maintains an intentionally low profile, where luxury exists quietly behind gated drives and wooded acreage.

This unassuming character is precisely the point.

For ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Cashiers offers something increasingly rare: the ability to disappear.

The Billionaires You’ll Never See

Despite its modest appearance, Cashiers has attracted an extraordinary roster of residents and second-home owners. Reported property owners in the area include:

Ken Langone, co-founder of Home Depot
Members of the Ingram family, heirs to the Ingram Industries fortune
The McIlhenny family, linked to Tabasco
Scott Hardman Ward, heir to the Russell Stover candy legacy
Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary
Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures
William Doré, former CEO of Global Industries

What unites these individuals isn’t industry or background—it’s discretion. Cashiers offers elite privacy without the spectacle associated with Aspen, Jackson Hole, or Palm Beach.

Wealth by the Numbers (That Don’t Tell the Full Story)

On paper, Cashiers doesn’t immediately scream “billionaire enclave.” Median household income sits in the low-to-mid $70,000 range, a figure that dramatically understates how wealth is distributed.

A closer look reveals the reality:

Nearly a quarter of households earn between $100,000 and $200,000 annually
More than 13% report incomes above $200,000
Many properties are owned as second or third homes, often held in trusts or LLCs

Nearby Highlands, with a slightly larger population, mirrors this pattern. The result is a plateau-wide concentration of wealth that rivals far better-known luxury markets.

Real Estate: From Hidden Gem to Trophy Market

For decades, Cashiers flew under the radar. Limited inventory, challenging access, and a lack of national exposure kept prices relatively restrained.

That has changed.

Since 2020:

Average home sale prices have climbed from just over $1 million to nearly $2 million
Estate properties regularly trade north of $7 million
A recent sale exceeding $12 million set a new regional benchmark

The common thread among these properties is land—privacy measured in acres, not square footage. Homes are tucked into ridgelines, perched above valleys, or hidden near waterfalls, often invisible from the road.

What once kept prices down wasn’t lack of appeal—it was lack of awareness.

Why the Ultra-Wealthy Choose Cashiers

Unlike traditional luxury destinations, Cashiers offers:

Anonymity: No paparazzi, no red carpets, no scene to perform in
Natural insulation: Dense forests, elevation, and limited access roads
Architectural restraint: Estate homes designed to blend into the landscape
Seasonal balance: Cool summers, vibrant falls, and quiet winters

Even as summer traffic increases and word spreads, Cashiers remains intentionally resistant to overdevelopment. Zoning restrictions, architectural review standards, and community norms protect the character—and the investments—of those who live here.

The Paradox of Popularity

As Cashiers gains national attention, it faces a familiar paradox. Increased visibility brings rising demand, higher prices, and more seasonal congestion—threatening the very quiet that made it desirable.

Longtime residents often joke that Cashiers is becoming a place where “nobody goes anymore—it’s too crowded.” Yet compared to other luxury enclaves, its version of “crowded” remains refreshingly tame.

For now, the billionaires remain largely unseen, content to enjoy misty mornings, private trails, and dinners that don’t require reservations weeks in advance.

Living Quietly, Exceptionally

Cashiers isn’t about being noticed. It’s about opting out.

For buyers seeking privacy, legacy properties, and understated luxury in one of the most beautiful corners of the Blue Ridge Mountains, few places compare. The wealth here doesn’t announce itself—but it’s woven into every ridgeline, estate gate, and carefully preserved acre.

Contact The Nth Degree Team

If you’re exploring luxury real estate on the Cashiers–Highlands Plateau, our team offers unmatched local insight, discretion, and access to off-market opportunities. Whether you’re seeking a secluded estate or a long-term generational retreat, we understand the nuances of this quietly extraordinary market.

Reach out to The Nth Degree Team and discover what makes Cashiers one of America’s most exclusive places to live, without ever trying to be.