Women in the western counties of North Carolina, and the state as a whole, have made much progress during the last few decades. The majority of women in these counties work—many in professional and managerial jobs—and women are a mainstay of the economic health of their communities. Yet, there are ways in which women’s status still lags behind men’s, and not all women are prospering equally. This briefing paper provides basic information about the status of women in five western North Carolina counties—Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey—focusing on women’s earnings and workforce participation, level of education, poverty, access to child care, and health status. It also provides basic demographic information about women in the region.