Davidson County, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Demographics
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there were 149,331 people, 58,156 households, and 42,512 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 267 people per square mile (103/km²). There were 62,432 housing units at an average density of 113 per square mile (44/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.05% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 11.14% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.82% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.66% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.94% from two or more races. 3.24% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 58,156 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,640, and the median income for a family was $46,241. Males had a median income of $31,287 versus $23,622 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $18,703. About 7.00% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
Festivals
One of the county's most famous attractions is the yearly Lexington Barbecue FestivalLexington Barbecue Festival
The Lexington Barbecue Festival is a one-day food festival held each October in Lexington, North Carolina, a city that calls itself the "Barbecue Capital of the World." Each year it attracts as many as 160,000 visitors to the uptown Lexington area to sample the different foods from up to 20...
, held in the city of Lexington
Lexington, North Carolina
Lexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 ...
during the month of October, bringing in over 100,000 visitors from all over the southeastern U.S. There is also a yearly Davidson County Agriculture Fair held in September. Thomasville hosts an annual "Everybody's Day Festival", the longest running festival in the state. The "Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion" is held every year at the Denton Farmpark.
Landmarks
In addition, there are many year-long attractions in Davidson County. Some of which include Historic Uptown Lexington, which consists of the Davidson County Historical Museum located in the old courthouseCourthouse
A courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
and Boone's Cave Park (where legend says an adolescent Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
hid from Indians). Other attractions include Denton Farm Park, Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookie Factory, Walter Johnson Camp and Conference Center, and the North Carolina Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Big Chair in Thomasville is also a major landmark.
Art
Pigs in the City
Pigs in the City is a public art initiative coordinated by Uptown Lexington, Inc., a non-profit organization created to revitalize the downtown area of Lexington. It includes an annual event held in the fall in the uptown business district of Lexington, North Carolina U.S., the self-proclaimed...
in an art initiative held each summer in Lexington, and attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
In 2005, Davidson County Community College and the City of Thomasville formed a partnership for the creation of the Thomasville Artisan Center. This art studio allowed the College to reinvigorate its Associate in Fine Arts Degree and offer both university transfer classes as well as adult community interest classes in painting, drawing, and sculpting. The Artisan Center is part of the College's Thomasville Education Center complex which is part of the College's outreach to the community. The College has a second campus in Davie County in the city of Mocksville, as well as the Uptown Lexington Education Center, located within a few blocks of the Arts Center of Davidson County and the historic Court House.
Barbecue
Lexington Barbecue Festival
The Lexington Barbecue Festival is a one-day food festival held each October in Lexington, North Carolina, a city that calls itself the "Barbecue Capital of the World." Each year it attracts as many as 160,000 visitors to the uptown Lexington area to sample the different foods from up to 20...
. Therefore, many Lexington-style barbecue restaurants are found throughout the county. Some include Lexington BBQ ("Honeymonk's"), The BBQ Center, Jimmy's, Whitley's BBQ Restaurant, Smokey Joe's, Backcountry, Speedy's, Smiley's, Tarheel Q, Stamey's, Kerley's, Welcome BBQ, and Cook's.
Richard Childress
Davidson County is home to many supporting race fans and the famous Richard ChildressRichard Childress
Richard Childress is a former NASCAR driver and the current team owner of Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. As a business entrepreneur, Childress became one of the wealthiest men in North Carolina...
. Here you will find his personal Childress Vineyards
Childress Vineyards
Childress Vineyards is a winery owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup championship team owner Richard Childress in northern Lexington, North Carolina ....
and Richard Childress Racing Museum and Shops.
The Big Chair
Finally, Davidson County is known for its oversized chair, "The Big Chair." This chair is located in central Thomasville and is a symbol of Davidson County's world famous furnitureFurniture
Furniture is the mass noun for the movable objects intended to support various human activities such as seating and sleeping in beds, to hold objects at a convenient height for work using horizontal surfaces above the ground, or to store things...
industry.
High Rock Lake
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
behind Lake Norman
Lake Norman
Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.-General Information:...
. Its water surface covers 15180 acres (61.4 km²) and there are 365 miles (587.4 km) of shoreline. It begins at the confluence of the Yadkin River
Yadkin River
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in North Carolina, flowing . It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee...
and the South Yadkin River. It has been the host of the Bassmaster Classic
Bassmaster Classic
The Bassmaster Classic is a competition in professional bass fishing. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead, Nevada. Originally it was a fall event , but it switched to the summer in 1984 and then to the late winter in 2006...
in 1994, 1995, 1997 and 2007 and is the site of frequent other local angling competitions. Lexington is just north of the Abbotts Creek section of the lake.
Notable people
- Wilmer "Vinegar Bend" MizellWilmer David MizellWilmer David "Vinegar Bend" Mizell was an American left-handed pitcher in major league baseball who went on to serve three terms as a Republican U.S. congressman from North Carolina between 1969 and 1975...
- Professional Baseball player for the Pirates and Cardinals, and a Congressman who served three terms. (1930–1999) - Max LanierMax LanierHubert Max Lanier was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the National League in earned run average in , and was the winning pitcher of the clinching game in the 1944 World Series against the crosstown St. Louis...
and son Hal LanierHal LanierHarold Clifton Lanier is a former infielder, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From through , Lanier played for the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees...
, both Major League Baseball players are from Denton. - Eddie MathewsEddie MathewsEdwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
, Hall of Fame baseball player, played for Thomasville in 1949 before going to the majors.
Cities and towns
- DentonDenton, North CarolinaDenton is a town in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,450 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Denton is located at .The highest elevation In Davidson county...
- High PointHigh Point, North CarolinaHigh Point is a city located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina. As of 2010 the city had a total population of 104,371, according to the US Census Bureau. High Point is currently the eighth-largest municipality in North Carolina....
(part) - LexingtonLexington, North CarolinaLexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 ...
- MidwayMidway, North CarolinaMidway is an incorporated town in Davidson County, North Carolina located within a township of the same name. The town is where rapper slash producer 9th wonder is from. Midway is situated approximately above sea level, and as of 2006, has a population of 4,399. Midway is part of the Piedmont...
- ThomasvilleThomasville, North CarolinaThomasville is a city in Davidson County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 21,354 at the 2010 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's...
- WallburgWallburg, North CarolinaWallburg is a town in Davidson County, North Carolina. It is incorporated, but was never recognized as a CDP by the US Census prior to its incorporation in 2004...
Unincorporated
- ArcadiaArcadia, North CarolinaArcadia is an unincorporated community in Davidson County, North Carolina. It is located in the northwestern section of the county along NC Highway 150. Neighboring communities and municipalities include Midway, Welcome, and Winston-Salem.-Education:...
- ChurchlandChurchland, North CarolinaChurchland is an unincorporated community in Boone Township, Davidson County, North Carolina located along NC Highway 150 southwest of Lexington, North Carolina. Churchland Baptist Church and Churchland Elementary School are centered in the Churchland community.-Churchland Baptist...
- ReedsReeds, North CarolinaReeds is an unincorporated community in Tyro township, Davidson County, North Carolina. It is located at the intersection of Old US Highway 64 and NC Highway 150. Neighboring communities and municipalities include Tyro, Arcadia, Yadkin College, and Lexington....
- Silver Hill
- Silver ValleySilver Valley, North CarolinaSilver Valley is an unincorporated community in eastern Davidson County, North Carolina located along Old U.S. Highway 64 and Old North Carolina State Highway 109 southeast of Lexington, North Carolina....
- SouthmontSouthmont, North CarolinaSouthmont is an unincorporated community in Davidson County, North Carolina. It is located along North Carolina State Highway 8 on the northern shores of High Rock Lake. There is an organized effort underway to Incorporate Southmont as The Village of Southmont....
- TyroTyro, North CarolinaTyro is an unincorporated community located a few miles west of Lexington and south of Winston-Salem in Davidson County, North Carolina. Located only minutes outside of Tyro is Daniel Boone's Cave Park located on the Yadkin River. Daniel Boone is rumored to have once hidden in the cave from a...
- WelcomeWelcome, North CarolinaWelcome is a census-designated place in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,538 at the 2000 census. It is nationally known as the home of NASCAR's Richard Childress. The town motto is "Welcome to Welcome, A Friendly Place," as posted on the welcoming sign...
- Yadkin CollegeYadkin College, North CarolinaYadkin College, North Carolina is an unincorporated village in rural Davidson County, North Carolina, located 9 miles northwest of Lexington...
External links
- Davidson County and High Rock Lake Forum The best forum for information and news regarding Davidson County, High Rock Lake, and the surrounding communities
- Davidson County Tourism & Recreation Calendar of Events & more
- Davidson County Images Articles and Photos
- The Lexington Dispatch Local News and Features
- Davidson County government official website
- Live EMS Audio Feed Listen to Davidson County EMS online
- Davidson County Community College
- Thomasville City Schools
- Lexington City Schools
- Davidson County School System