Ashe County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of the Boone, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located in the northwestern corner of the state. The county was formed in 1799 from parts of Wilkes County and was named for Samuel Ashe, a former governor of North Carolina. Ashe County is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, and skiing. The county seat is the town of Jefferson, and the county is often referred to as 'Ashe-Ville' due to its proximity to the city of Asheville.