Marble, North Carolina

Marble is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 321.

History
The original name of the Marble community is Marble Springs. The name was later shortened to Marble with the baptist church on Marble Road still bearing the original name. Marble got its name from various marble quarries in the community. Currently, none are functioning, and all have filled with water. The Cherokee County Courthouse, one of few county courthouses in the U.S. constructed entirely of marble, was made with marble from the community.

Marble’s post office opened in 1881. Marble Elementary School was built in 1955. Nonprofit manufacturer Industrial Opportunities Inc. was established at the Marble Activity Center in 1974. A four-lane highway between Murphy and Andrews was built through Marble around 1977.

After the school closed in 2017, the nine-acre campus housed The Oaks Academy until the academy moved to Peachtree in 2023, leaving the current building up for sale. The current building was said to be built around 1992, but aerial photos show the current building in 1984, and topographic maps show the building outline as early as 1975. A sign outside of Marble Elementary shows the two years in which the school was originally built (1955-1956.)

Law enforcement
Marble is served by the town of Andrews Police Department. According to the 2012 Crime Rate Index, Marble was rated a rape crime risk of 131 and a murder crime risk of 111. Marble also scored 81 for vehicle theft and 58 for larceny. All scores are compared to a national average of 100. North Carolina average is 103. With a population of only 321, one event can exaggerate numbers dramatically.

Demographics
As of the 2010 Census, there were 321 people, of which 162 were male and 159 were female. The 2010 population density was 293 people per square mile.

Occupations
19.1% of individuals over the age of 16, are employed in management or professional industries. 19.1% are employed in the service industry, 16.9% are employed in sales or office industries, 14.9% are employed in construction, extraction and maintenance while the remaining 28.3% are employed in production and transportation.

As of 2000, 12.3% of people were below the poverty line.

Household income
7.5% make less than $10,000 per year. 11.4% make between $10,000 and $14,999. 27.3% make between $15,000 and $24,999 per year. 14.2% make between $50,000 and $74,999 per year and 24.5% make between $35,000 and $49,999 per year. 14.2% make between $50,000 and $74,999 per year while the remaining 3.6% make over $75,000 per year.

As of 2000, 1.7% of Marble individuals were unemployed, while median household income was $28,553.

Schools and colleges
Marble is in close proximity to Tri-County Community College which has campuses in Peachtree, Robbinsville, and Marble.

Public education
The public school system (Cherokee County Schools) is run by the Cherokee County Board of Education.

Children in Marble attended Marble Elementary School at 2230 Airport Road until 2017. This school covered grades pre-K to 5th grade and was given a GreatSchools rating of 3/10.

Since 2017 students from Marble attend Andrews Elementary, Middle and High School in the town of Andrews. As of 2016, the schools both scored 4/10 on GreatSchools.

Highways
Marble sits on US 19/129/74, which runs northeast-southwest between Andrews and Murphy. Airport Road (SR 1428) runs through Marble and was US 19 until 1979. The road ends near Murphy, and in Andrews at the west entrance. Slow Creek Road (141) runs south toward Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital in Peachtree.

Airport
Western Carolina Regional Airport, known locally as the Murphy Airport, Andrews Airport, or Andrews-Murphy Airport, is located approximately 4.5 mi east of Marble.

Topography
Marble is located in the southeastern United States in the far western portion of North Carolina, approximately halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Knoxville, Tennessee. The location in the Blue Ridge Mountains has helped the community retain a rural character, surrounded by wildlife such as bear, deer, and recently reintroduced elk.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Marble CDP has a total area of 2.8 km2, all land.

Climate
Marble has a humid subtropical climate, (Cfa) according to the Köppen classification, with hot, humid summers and mild, but occasionally cold winters by the standards of the southern United States.

July highs average 85 °F (29 °C) or above, and lows average 55 °F (12.8 °C). Infrequently, temperatures can even exceed 100 °F (38 °C). January is the coldest month, with an average high of 48 °F (9 °C), and low of 33 °F (.6 °C).

Like the rest of the southeastern U.S., Marble receives abundant rainfall, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual rainfall is 55.9 inches (1,420 mm). Blizzards are rare but possible; one nicknamed the 1993 Storm of the Century hit the entire Eastern United States in March 1993.

Climate Data for Marble

Culture
Situated in the midst of the Appalachian Mountains, Marble has a rich heritage and a rural character.

Local festivals and celebrations
The bi-annual Celebration of Flight air show, located at the Andrews-Murphy Airport 4 mi northeast of Marble, is a huge presentation of aircraft, both vintage and hi-tech.

Religion
Historically, religion has been a very important part of Appalachian life. Christianity is predominant in Marble and the surrounding communities. Baptist Christian faiths are well represented here. Some local churches are Marble Springs Baptist Church, Emanuel Baptist Church, Fair-view Church and Kingdom Hall-Jehovah's Witness.

Media
Marble and the surrounding area are served by a few local television stations, numerous local radio stations that broadcast several genres of music, sports, news and talk radio, plus three local newspapers.

A local television station is W31AN (Channel 31) based in Murphy.

Marble is served by eight local radio stations. WCVP-AM (600), WCNG-FM (102.7), and WKRK-AM (1320) are based in Murphy. WCVP-FM (95.9) is in Robbinsville, and WFSC-AM (1050), WPFJ-AM (1480), WFQS-FM (91.3), and WNCC (96.7) are based in Franklin.

The only newspaper in Cherokee County is the Cherokee Scout, which is based in Murphy.

Notable people

 * Roger West, local politician

Nearby communities

 * Andrews (6 mi northeast)
 * Murphy (10 mi southwest)