| Ashe's Island | S Onslow County in Stump Sound on the S side of Spicers Bay, a tidal-marsh and coastal-beach island approx. 1¼ mi. long. Named for John Baptista Ashe (1748-1802). |
| Ashe's Mill Creek | See Ashe Creek; Exeter. |
| Asheboro | town and county seat, central Randolph County. Inc. 1796. Named for Samuel Ashe (1725-1813), governor of North Carolina, 1795-98. Produces hosiery, apparel, textiles, blankets, batteries, furniture, toys, and shoes. Alt. 879. |
| Asheboro South | unincorporated outskirts of Asheboro, central Randolph County. |
| Asheboro Township | central Randolph County. |
| Asheboro West | unincorporated outskirts of Asheboro, central Randolph County. A portion of the area was taken into the town of Asheboro late in 1960 after the census had been taken. |
| Ashes Creek | See Upper Broad Creek. |
| Asheville | city and county seat, central Buncombe County on French Broad River. Settled about 1792; inc. 1797. First called Morristown, probably for William Morrison, who cast the deciding vote as one of the commissioners to select a site for the courthouse in 1792. Named Asheville for Samuel Ashe, governor of North Carolina (1795-98). As the city grew, its boundaries were extended to take in a number of adjacent areas, including Kenilworth, Biltmore, Montford, Ramoth (or Woolsey), Sunset Park, Victoria, and West Asheville. Historically a tourist and health resort, the city experienced a renaissance as bohemian mecca in late twentieth century. Alt. 2,216. University of North Carolina at Asheville N of downtown. Industry: publishing, software, apparel electronics, furniture, handicrafts, metalwork. |
| Asheville Township | central Buncombe County. |
| Ashford | community in N McDowell County on North Fork [Catawba River]. Alt. 1,762. |