Mills River, North Carolina

About Mills River

Set in the western part of North Carolina, Mills River is a close-knit town with an estimated population of 7,426.

Mills River holds the status of an incorporated town — local government on a neighborly scale. The community covers 22.38 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 332 residents per square mile.

📰 Mills River News Today

• Veteran support groups from across NC meet in Mills River 828 News Now · Aug 18
• Publix opens new store in Mills River, NC Publix · Aug 12
• Residents split over mayor's role in striking down Mills River UDO blueridgenow.com · Aug 18
• The Trump administration is moving forward with its plans to remove roadless forest protections. This includes WNC Blue Ridge Public Radio · Aug 18
• Publix at The Marketplace at Mills River holds grand opening WLOS · Aug 13

Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.

What Makes Mills River Unique

• The only place in America named Mills River — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
• Positioned in western North Carolina, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
• Part of the fabric of North Carolina — one of 776 recognized communities statewide.

Why People Love It Here

• Big enough for services and schools, small enough to feel like home.
• Local businesses and schools anchored by a stable resident base of 7,426.
• Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 6 miles.

🍽️ Where to Eat in Mills River

• Bold Bites — burger
• Mills River Restaurant

Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.

🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Mills River

• Mills River Park reviews ★

Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.

🏫 Schools in Mills River

• Glenn C Marlow Elementary
• Mills River Elementary

Public schools, U.S. Dept. of Education (NCES) 2023–24 directory.

⚡ Quick Facts

🗺️ Map of Mills River

🏘️ Nearby Communities