North Carolina Highway 81 is a state road that starts at US 25 and ends at US 70. The entire route is within Buncombe County, North Carolina

Buncombe County, North Carolina

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 206,330 people, 85,776 households, and 55,668 families residing in the county. The population density was 314 people per square mile . There were 93,973 housing units at an average density of 143 per square mile...

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Route Description

NC 81 begins at a street called Biltmore Avenue and US 25A. It closely follows the Swannanoa River

Swannanoa River

The Swannanoa River flows through the Swannanoa Valley of western North Carolina, and is a major tributary to the French Broad River. It begins at its headwaters in Black Mountain, NC, however, it also has a major tributary near its headwaters: Flat Creek, which begins on the slopes of Mount...

. It intersects South Tunnel Road US 74 near the Asheville Mall

Asheville Mall

Asheville Mall is a regional mall in Asheville, North Carolina.Asheville Mall is located off Interstate 240 in eastern Asheville. It is predominantly a one-story mall. Its anchors are Belk, J. C. Penney, Sears, and two Dillard's locations, Dillard's South and Dillard's North.-History:Asheville Mall...

. It continues to follow the Swannanoa for 2 more miles and turns to the north to meet US 70 (Tunnel Road). Another street (Bryson Street) runs parallel across the river.