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North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,131 at the 2020 US Census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in the community. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces of the sport of stock-car racing, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first NASCAR-sanctioned track. Due to the town's proximity to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and its numerous tourist venues, North Wilkesboro has been nicknamed the "Key to the Blue Ridge".

History
North Wilkesboro was founded in 1891 when the Norfolk and Southern Railroad built a railroad line into Wilkes County. The line ended on the northern bank of the Yadkin River opposite Wilkesboro, the county seat. The town of North Wilkesboro quickly developed around the railroad tracks. North Wilkesboro was home of the Carolina Mirror Company, which for many years was the largest mirror factory in the United States. Lowe's Foods, one of the Southeast's largest supermarket chains, was started in North Wilkesboro in 1954. Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, the nation's second-largest chain of home-improvement stores, was started in North Wilkesboro in 1946. Like many small towns and cities in rural North Carolina, North Wilkesboro has suffered since 2000 from the closing of nearly all of its textile and furniture factories, which have moved to low-wage locations in Latin America and Asia. The factories were a major part of the town's economic base.

The North Wilkesboro Speedway, located just outside the city limits, predates the founding of NASCAR; the speedway held its first race on May 18, 1947 and from there it grew in popularity. On October 16, 1949, the Speedway held the 8th and final race of the 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock Division; when the race was over Robert "Red" Byron had become the first NASCAR-sanctioned champion. The North Wilkesboro Speedway held NASCAR races for 50 years; on September 29, 1996 Jeff Gordon would win the final race to be held at the speedway. In 1995, following the death of the long-time owner and track founder Enoch Staley, the speedway was purchased by two new owners, Bob Bahre and Bruton Smith. Soon after their purchase, both men announced that they were closing the speedway and moving its two NASCAR race dates to their new tracks in Texas and New Hampshire. The decision met with strong criticism from race fans. From the track's closure in 1996 through 2021 numerous national and regional news media stories discussed the physical decay of the track and grandstands, the rich history of the track, and efforts to renovate and reopen the speedway. In November 2021, the North Carolina state legislature and NC Governor Roy Cooper gave $18 million to the speedway for extensive repairs and renovations in a major effort to reopen the track for racing. Following the renovations, in August 2022 the speedway held its first races in a decade, drawing a sellout crowd to the CARS Tours Window's World 125. In September 2022 it was announced that the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race would be held in May 2023 at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, marking the first NASCAR race to be held at the track since its closure in 1996.

The Downtown Main Street Historic District, Thomas B. Finley House, Southern Railway Depot, and Wilkes Hosiery Mills are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Healthcare

Wilkes Medical Center, founded in 1951 as Wilkes General Hospital, is located in North Wilkesboro. It is the largest hospital in northwestern North Carolina and is currently the town's largest employer. West Park, formerly a large shopping center built in the 1970s, has recently been transformed into a large medical park with numerous offices for physicians, medical specialists, pharmacies, physical therapists, and other medical and health-related fields.

In 2017, the hospital joined the Wake Forest Baptist Health system. In 2020, Wake Forest Baptist Health was acquired by the Charlotte-based Atrium Health network to form Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Local events

The downtown business district of North Wilkesboro became a recognized Main Street Town in 2000. The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership, a non-profit group that has worked to revitalize the downtown business district, led the effort to have the town recognized as a Main Street Town; the group also sponsors other events to attract people to the downtown area.

The Downtown North Wilkesboro Partnership is also the founder of the annual 'Shine to Wine Festival. Over the past 20 years, numerous local farmers have moved into the winemaking industry and the wine festival gives local wineries and vineyards a chance to display and publicize their wines. The festival also traces the historical development of Wilkes County liquor from moonshine to wine. The 'Shine to Wine festival is held on the first Saturday in May. Other downtown North Wilkesboro festivals include the Downtown Concert Series and Light Up Downtown.

North Wilkesboro is the home of the annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, which is held to celebrate the apple harvest from the nearby Brushy Mountains. Crowds of over 160,000 people usually attend the festival, and it is one of the largest single-day arts and crafts fairs in the Southern United States. The festival features music, dancing, artwork, crafts, and food traditional to the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The streets of downtown North Wilkesboro, NC are filled with over 425 arts and crafts, 100 food concessions, and 4 different music stages consisting of Blue Grass, Country, Folk, Gospel, and Appalachian Heritage. Cloggers, folk dancers, rope skippers, and square dancers provide additional entertainment venues for festival goers. Appalachian Heritage crafts such as woodcarving, chair making, soap making, pottery throwing, and quilting are highlighted. Local apple growers set up throughout the festival selling their apples, apple cider, and dried apples.

Light Up Downtown is an annual downtown event focused on the beginning of the Christmas season and the inaugural first day of decorative lights in downtown North Wilkesboro. Santa always makes an appearance to listen to all the children's Christmas wishes. Free pictures are always available to take with Santa. Hayrides are also available to ride around the downtown and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations. In addition, many food, craft, and merchandise vendors are lined down Main Street. Downtown Retailers are always open late to kick off the Christmas shopping.

Attractions

The Wilkes Playmakers, an active local theater group, are based in North Wilkesboro; Each year they do 4-5 shows, most shows attracting people from county wide to come see their plays. They also do events year wide.

The Wilkes Art Gallery was founded in 1962 in the parlor of art patron Annie Winkler's home and in 2004 moved into the renovated North Wilkesboro Post Office building located in the heart of downtown North Wilkesboro. The Gallery's 10000 sqft facility includes over 3500 sqft of exhibition space, an education center with a ceramics studio, painting and drawing studios, two multi-purpose classrooms, and a gift shop.

North Wilkesboro recently welcomed the Yadkin River Greenway which was created through the cooperative efforts of citizen volunteers, landowners, and the governments of Wilkes County, North Wilkesboro, Wilkesboro, and the State of North Carolina. The effort began in 1994, and the first phase of the greenway was opened on May 18, 2002. The Yadkin River Greenway Council, a non-profit community organization, provided coordination and leadership. The Greenway is a natural area between urban communities where wildlife, vegetation, and streams are preserved and enjoyed. The Greenway contains biking, jogging, and walking trails which follow the Yadkin River and Reddies River for several miles between the towns of North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro. The Yadkin River Greenway offers over 1.7 mi of paved trails to form over 5.1 mi of current trails with more extensions to come in the near future.

North Wilkesboro Schools
North Wilkesboro is served by the Wilkes County Schools system. The elementary schools which serve the town are Mulberry Elementary, North Wilkesboro Elementary, and CC Wright Elementary. Middle school students in North Wilkesboro attend Central Wilkes Middle School in the community of Moravian Falls, located south of the town. The town's high school students attend Wilkes Central High School, based in Moravian Falls, West Wilkes High School, based in Millers Creek, or Wilkes Early College High School, located on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Several private schools also serve the town, most are associated with the larger Protestant churches in the area. Wilkes Community College, located in the neighboring town of Wilkesboro, offers college classes to North Wilkesboro's residents.

Geography
North Wilkesboro is located along the Yadkin River at the mouth of the Reddies River. North Wilkesboro has long been known as the "Key to the Blue Ridge" and is adjacent to the Brushy Mountains, Stone Mountain State Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located a few miles away, the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir offers its visitors a pristine wilderness to go mountain biking, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, hunting, and fishing around its 55 mi shoreline. The Town of North Wilkesboro is located in the heart of Wilkes County, North Carolina in the northwestern corner of the state. Wilkes County is bordered by eight (8) counties. These include the counties of Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Iredell, Surry, Watauga, and Yadkin; thus making the town conveniently juxtaposed to eight county seats and economic hubs; all within a 45-minute drive from town. The town corporate limits cover approximately 7.5 square miles (~ 4,800 acres) of contiguous property with approximately 300 acres in satellite territories. The Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) encompasses roughly 16 sqmi or 10,240 acres. The town is bordered to the south by the Yadkin River and the Town of Wilkesboro. Running through the eastern portion of the town is the Reddies River which flows from North to South and unites with the Yadkin. Hoopers Branch, a tributary to the Reddies River, rises on the north side of North Wilkesboro.

Transportation
The town serves as the junction point for NC State Highways 18 and 268 and is within one mile (1.6 km) to the north of US Highway 421. US 421 Business, however, passes through the town and allows transportation to the nearby cities of Winston-Salem and Boone, home of Appalachian State University. The town also serves as the northern end of NC Highway 115, which runs south to Charlotte.

Surrounding transportation
North Wilkesboro is approximately 20 minutes west of Interstate 77. Interstate 77 runs North to South, allowing shipping and transportation to travel up and down the east coast. I-77 serves as the nearest major interstate to the county in addition to the town itself. North Wilkesboro is also in close proximity to NC Highway 16 which runs through Wilkesboro.

Public transportation
North Wilkesboro and Wilkes County are served by the Wilkes Transportation Authority, known commonly as the WTA. The WTA provides Wilkes with its only scheduled public transportation service as well providing rural communities within the county with transportation by booking in advance.

Climate
North Wilkesboro rests in the foothills to the east of the Blue Ridge escarpment; which encompasses the western edge of Wilkes County. The town's position in relation to the abutting mountain system accounts for the mild, yet wet winters and summers. The average annual maximum temperature is 68.7 degrees Fahrenheit with a corresponding minimum annual temperature average of 45.7 degrees. Average annual rainfall (49.6 inches) for the town falls just short of the typical average of the Southern Appalachian region (60.0+ inches). As winter clouds approach from the west and migrate across the Blue Ridge, an orographic effect ensues which releases an amount of snow in the Western high country, leaving little for central and eastern Wilkes County as the systems pass over. The result is more of a wintry mix of sleet and frozen rain, hence the 5.9 inches of average total snowfall, but the lack of any snow depth. North Wilkesboro has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and the hardiness zone is 7B.

Demographics
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2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,131 people, 1,862 households, and 962 families residing in the town. The population density was 622.08 PD/sqmi. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.93.

The average median household income for the town was $30,114. About 29.3% of residents were at or below the poverty line.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,116 people, 1,639 households, and 942 families residing in the town. The population density was 803.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of 358.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 74.47% White, 17.90% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 4.25% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 11.27% of the population.

There were 1,639 households, out of which 45.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The per capita income for the town was $14,594. About 21.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Daniel Boone – famed explorer and pioneer, lived for several years in the area where North Wilkesboro is located before moving west to Kentucky
 * Robert Byrd – U.S. Senator from West Virginia from 1959 to 2010, making him the longest-serving Senator in American history
 * Dean Combs – former NASCAR driver
 * Zach Galifianakis – American actor and comedian, was born in North Wilkesboro
 * Deneen Graham – first African-American to win the Miss North Carolina beauty pageant
 * Gladys Gunzer – noted American medalist and sculptor
 * Jimmy Pardue – former NASCAR driver
 * Harry Pearson – journalist, audio reviewer, and publisher who founded The Absolute Sound magazine
 * Shirrel Rhoades – writer, publisher, film critic, museum president, and former college professor
 * John Swofford – commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference and younger brother of William Swofford
 * William Swofford – singer who scored two Billboard Top 10 hits in 1969 with "Good Morning Starshine" and "Jean" under his middle name, Oliver

title: North Wilkesboro, North Carolina


text:
Pleasant Hill, Wilkes County, North Carolina

Pleasant Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,109 at the 2000 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km$2$), of which 3.6 square miles (9.3 km$2$) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km$2$)  (0.55%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,109 people, 481 households, and 353 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 309.2 PD/sqmi. There were 522 housing units at an average density of 145.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.19% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.09% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.54% of the population.

There were 481 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $29,643, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $27,917 versus $24,779 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,530. About 7.0% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


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Ronda, North Carolina

Ronda is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 417 at the 2010 census, and 413 at the 2020 census. Ronda was named after a nearby estate called "Roundabout", which was the residence of Benjamin Cleveland, a locally prominent planter and a colonel in the North Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War. The town is home to East Wilkes High School, one of Wilkes County's five public high schools.

Claymont Hill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Ronda was the home of NASCAR pioneer and Hall of Famer Junior Johnson.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.1 sqmi, all land. Ronda is located on the north bank of the Yadkin River, Wilkes County's largest river and one of the major rivers of North Carolina's Piedmont region.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 560 people, 228 households, and 182 families residing in the town. The population density was 426.8 PD/sqmi. There were 251 housing units at an average density of 186.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.26% White, 1.74% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.57% of the population.

There were 228 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $34,773. Males had a median income of $22,917 versus $19,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,397. About 8.8% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Ronda, North Carolina


text:
Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Wilkesboro is a town in and the county seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,687 at the 2020 census. The town is located along the south bank of the Yadkin River, directly opposite the town of North Wilkesboro. Wilkesboro is a Small Town Main Street community and has recently revitalized its historic downtown to include the Carolina West Wireless Community Commons, Wilkes Communications Pavilion, Heritage Square and Splash Pad. Cub Creek Park is adjacent to the downtown and contains many amenities, which include baseball, walking trails, mountain biking trails, trout fishing, dog park, basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, picnic shelters, etc. Wilkesboro is also the home of the annual MerleFest, Carolina in the Fall, and Brushy Mountain Peach & Heritage festivals.

History
Wilkesboro was founded in 1800 and quickly designated as the county seat. The town is built atop a low, broad ridge which runs for over a mile along the south bank of the Yadkin River. For many decades a popular historic spot in Wilkesboro was the "Tory Oak", a large oak tree from which Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, a well-known Wilkes County patriot during the American Revolutionary War, hanged Loyalist militia leaders who supported the British King and opposed American independence from Britain. The oak was located behind the old Wilkes County courthouse. During the Civil War, many of Wilkesboro's residents remained loyal to the Union and opposed the Confederacy. In March 1865 General George Stoneman, a Union cavalry leader, led a raid through the town. Shortly after the war ended, Tom Dula (Dooley), a Confederate veteran, was tried and hanged for the murder of his fiancée, Laura Foster. Many people were convinced that one of Dula's jealous ex-girlfriends murdered Foster, and that Dula was innocent of the crime. Dula's story was turned into a top-selling ballad in 1958 by The Kingston Trio, the title of which was Tom Dooley. The story was subsequently turned into a 1959 movie starring Michael Landon as Dula, and each summer the Wilkes Playmakers present a popular play based on the story.

The Robert Cleveland Log House, Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District, Federal Building, J. T. Ferguson Store, Thomas B. Finley Law Office, J. L. Hemphill House, Johnson-Hubbard House, Old Wilkes County Jail, St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Cemetery, Wilkes County Courthouse, Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, and Wilkesboro-Smithey Hotel are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,687 people, 1,386 households, and 808 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 3,413 people living in Wilkesboro. The population density was 622.5 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of Wilkesboro was 81.5% White, 8.9% African American, 3.0% Asian, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 4.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races.

The population of Wilkesboro was spread out, with 21.7% being under the age of 20, 6.1% from 20-24, 21.9% from 25-44, 25.6% from 45-64, and 24.5% being 65 and over. The median age was 45.2 years old, more specifically 40.8 for males and 49.5 for females.

Economy
Wilkesboro's largest industry is the Tyson Foods poultry processing plant; it is one of the largest poultry plants east of the Mississippi River.

Local communication companies, Wilkes Communications and Carolina West Wireless are based in Wilkesboro.

Education
Wilkesboro is served by the Wilkes County Schools system. Most of Wilkesboro's high school students attend Wilkes Central High School; it is located in the adjacent community of Moravian Falls. Wilkes Early College, based at Wilkes Community College, and one charter school, Bridges Charter School in State Road, North Carolina, offer other high-school options to Wilkesboro's students. Middle school students in Wilkesboro attend Central Wilkes Middle School, located in Moravian Falls, while the elementary schools that serve the town are Wilkesboro Elementary, Moravian Falls Elementary, and CC Wright Elementary.

Wilkesboro is the home of Wilkes Community College, a public, coed, two-year college within the North Carolina Community College System. The college's enrollment is typically around 3,500 students.

Media
Wilkesboro is served by a few media sources based in nearby North Wilkesboro. The Record of Wilkes is published weekly and the Journal-Patriot is also published weekly. Wilkes County's two largest radio stations are broadcast from North Wilkesboro: WKBC-FM (97.3 FM) broadcasts Adult Contemporary (hot AC) and WKBC (AM) (800 AM) broadcasts American Country music.

Public transportation
WTA, Wilkes Transportation Authority, is a local shuttle service based in Wilkesboro that utilizes vans and buses to serve Wilkes County. Fares range from $2-$24, but are typically around $4. There is scheduled shuttle service that runs every hour roughly and unscheduled service that allows for riders to request a van pick up in any part of the county.

Intercity Bus
Daily bus service is available on Greyhound. Sunway buses are advertised as Greyhound Express buses and the bus stop is in front of the Former Federal Building located at 207 West Main Street, Wilkesboro. Bus service goes to Boone, NC and Greensboro, NC, known as the Mountaineer East/West line with prices as low as $4. Passengers can connect to Greyhound services throughout the East Coast via the J. Douglas Galyon Depot where the line ends.

Politics and religion
Like most of Wilkes County, Wilkesboro has long been a bastion of the Republican Party. Wilkesboro's largest religious group are the Southern Baptists, but the town does contain substantial numbers of Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Episcopalians. The first two churches to be established in Wilkes County were built in Wilkesboro; they were missionary churches for the Episcopal and Presbyterian denominations. The nearby town of North Wilkesboro contains Wilkes County's only Roman Catholic church: a parish church named for Saint John Baptist de la Salle, and part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.

Attractions

 * MerleFest
 * W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
 * Wilkesboro Town Hall 2015.jpgina West Wireless Community Commons
 * Wilkes Communications Pavilion
 * Heritage Square Splash Pad
 * Wilkes Heritage Museum
 * Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
 * Wilkesboro Sundial
 * Wilkes Community College
 * Ben Long Frescoes at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
 * Cub Creek Park and Mountain Biking Trails
 * Hidden Oaks Dog Park
 * Blue Ridge Artisan Center at The 1915 Building
 * Yadkin River Greenway
 * North Wilkesboro Speedway

Notable people

 * Rhoda Bryan Billings – law professor and jurist, the second woman to serve as Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
 * Chang and Eng Bunker – the original Siamese twins
 * Zach Galifianakis – stand-up comedian and character actor
 * Deneen Graham – first black woman to be crowned Miss North Carolina in 1983
 * Richard N. Hackett – Congressional Representative from 1907 to 1909
 * Jim Hamby – former MLB player
 * Junior Johnson – former NASCAR driver who tallied 50 wins in his career
 * Montford Stokes – former United States Senator and 25th Governor of North Carolina

title: Wilkesboro, North Carolina


text:
Black Creek, North Carolina

Black Creek is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 769 at the 2010 census.

History
The Manalcus Aycock House, Black Creek Rural Historic District, and Dr. H. D. Lucas House were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.7 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 714 people, 279 households, and 210 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,062.0 PD/sqmi. There were 296 housing units at an average density of 440.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 77.73% White, 18.91% African American, 0.28% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 2.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.

There were 279 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 17.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,368, and the median income for a family was $32,857. Males had a median income of $27,679 versus $20,909 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,661. About 17.4% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Black Creek, North Carolina


text:
Elm City, North Carolina

Elm City is a town in Wilson County and Nash County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,298 in 2010. It is a suburb of Wilson.

Elm City elected its first Black female mayor in its November 2021 municipal elections.

History
The Elm City Municipal Historic District, W. H. Langley House, and Webb-Barron-Wells House were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

In the summer of 1964, the Ku Klux Klan drove away a group of black and white teenage volunteers repainting the local First Presbyterian Church. Subsequently, adult volunteers returned to finish the job, and Governor Terry Sanford dispatched state troopers to protect the team of integrated volunteers. An attempt was later made by two white youths from Rocky Mount to burn down the church but they failed. Today elm city prides itself on integrating all races and walks of life

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,218 people, 547 households, and 368 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,165 people, 474 households, and 328 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,555.6 PD/sqmi. There were 505 housing units at an average density of 674.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 43.43% White, 53.91% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.46% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.58% of the population.

There were 474 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,188, and the median income for a family was $39,861. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $20,909 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,533. About 11.0% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 23.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Elm City includes two public schools, Elm City Elementary (formerly known as Frederick Douglas School), and Elm City Middle School (formerly known as Elm City School/Elm City High School). It has a good reputation for sports. Jamie Watson, a former NBA athlete, is from Elm City. UNC Basketball alum John Virgil is also from Elm City.

title: Elm City, North Carolina


text:
Lucama, North Carolina

Lucama  is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,108 at the 2010 census.

History
The Lucama Municipal Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 847 people, 387 households, and 229 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,429.8 PD/sqmi. There were 415 housing units at an average density of 700.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 78.16% White, 16.17% African American, 0.47% Asian, 4.13% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.49% of the population.

There were 387 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.6% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,125, and the median income for a family was $37,750. Males had a median income of $26,786 versus $22,596 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,634. About 11.5% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Lucama, North Carolina


text:
Saratoga, North Carolina

Saratoga is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 408 at the 2010 census.

History
The Maj. James Scarborough House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

For transportation, Saratoga is served by U.S. Route 264 and Interstate 587 (North Carolina).

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 379 people, 158 households, and 102 families residing in the town. The population density was 590.3 PD/sqmi. There were 168 housing units at an average density of 261.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 76.25% White, 19.79% African American, 3.43% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.80% of the population.

There were 158 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 20.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.4% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,667, and the median income for a family was $37,750. Males had a median income of $33,125 versus $25,469 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,317. About 8.2% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Saratoga, North Carolina


text:
Sims, North Carolina

Sims is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 282 at the 2010 census. And a it's a Suburb of Wilson NC

History
The Bullock-Dew House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
According to 2010 census data, there were 282 people, 113 households, and 85 families residing in the town. As of the census of 2000, the population density was 1,016.4 PD/sqmi. There were 72 housing units at an average density of 571.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 75.00% White, 22.66% African American, 2.34% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population.

There were 61 households, out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.54.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 18.0% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 35.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $29,583. Males had a median income of $24,375 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,962. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

Population boom
The town of Sims has recently undergone a population boom due to being located with direct access to highways U.S. 264 and I-95. Sims is located in proximity to Wilson, Raleigh, Greenville, and Goldsboro. Recently, Wilson County's first gated community constructed its first phase in the area of Sims. A new shopping center is in the planning stages as well. New subdivisions include Buckhorn 100 homes, Magnolia Place 58 homes, Williams Point 19, Stotts Crossing, The Summit, Eagle Harbor, and Crystal Lake Commons (1st gated community 28 homes ranging $350,000 to $750,000).

title: Sims, North Carolina


text:
Stantonsburg, North Carolina

Stantonsburg is a town in Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. It is named for James Stanton V. The population was 784 at the 2010 census.

History
The W. H. Applewhite House, Edmondson-Woodward House, and Ward-Applewhite-Thompson House were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 726 people, 305 households, and 207 families in the town. The population density was 1,370.4 PD/sqmi. There were 334 housing units at an average density of 630.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 55.65% White, 41.18% African American, 2.89% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.17%.

Of the 305 households 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.5% of households were one person and 15.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median household income was $31,167 and the median family income was $38,906. Males had a median income of $28,203 versus $21,806 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,585. About 6.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 17.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Stantonsburg, North Carolina


text:
Wilson, North Carolina

Wilson is a city in and the county seat of Wilson County, North Carolina, United States. It is the 23rd most populous city in North Carolina. Located approximately 40 mi east of the capital city of Raleigh, it is served by the interchange of Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 264. Wilson had an estimated population of 49,459 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and is also an anchor city of the Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids CSA, with a total population of 297,726 as of 2018.

In the early 21st century, Wilson was ranked as 18th in size among North Carolina's 500-plus municipalities. From 1990 to 2010, the city population increased by more than 40 percent, primarily due to construction of new subdivisions that attracted many new residents. This has been accompanied by new retail and shopping construction, primarily in the northwestern parts of the city. Wilson is a diverse community; in 2012, the US Census estimated that 48% of the population identified as African American, and 43% as Whites; the remaining 9% includes Latinos and Asians, such as Vietnamese, Chinese and Indians. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2012 that nearly 5,000 county residents (7.5 percent) were foreign-born. Of those, nearly 3,000 people, or 62 percent, had entered the U.S. since 2000.

Once a center of tobacco cultivation, the city was widely known as "The World’s Greatest Tobacco Market" in the 19th century. In the 21st century, Wilson enjoys a diverse economy based on agriculture, manufacturing, commercial, and service businesses.

History
The history of the city of Wilson began with a community that formed around Toisnot Primitive Baptist Church, built in the early 1800s. The community was originally called Toisnot. In 1836, the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad Co. began building a Wilmington-to-Weldon line. The railway reached the community in 1839, and by 1840 Toisnot had both north-and-south service. That stimulated growth of the community.

The North Carolina General Assembly chartered the Town of Wilson. It was named for state senator Colonel Louis D. Wilson, U.S. Volunteers. He died of fever while on leave from the State senate during the Mexican–American War of 1848. Messrs. Joshua Barnes, John W. Farmer, James D. Barnes, Dylan Dieterle, Jonathan D. Rountree, and Arthur Farmer were named as the first town commissioners.

The Gen. Joshua Barnes House, Branch Banking, Broad–Kenan Streets Historic District, Cherry Hotel, Davis-Whitehead-Harriss House, East Wilson Historic District, Old Wilson Historic District, Joseph John Pender House, Moses Rountree House, Upper Town Creek Rural Historic District, West Nash Street Historic District, Olzie Whitehead Williams House, Wilson Central Business-Tobacco Warehouse Historic District, Wilson County Courthouse, and Woodard Family Rural Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.4 sqmi, of which 23.3 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.64%) is water.

Wilson is served by the intersection of Interstate 95 and US 264; and it is located approximately 45 minutes by car east of Raleigh, the state capital. It is the northern terminus of Interstate 795, which provides a route to Interstate 40 and the port city of Wilmington, North Carolina.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 47,851 people, 19,667 households, and 11,529 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,405 people, 17,296 households, and 11,328 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,906.9 PD/sqmi. There were 18,660 housing units at an average density of 801.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 46.67% White, 47.53% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.89% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.29% of Wilson's population.

There were 17,296 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,169, and the median income for a family was $41,041. Males had a median income of $30,682 versus $22,363 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,813. About 16.5% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under the age of 18 and 20.4% ages 65 or older.

United States census data from 2012 report a population of 49,610 people and 19,413 households in the city. The population density was 1,710 inhabitants per square mile. There were 21,870 housing units, and the percentage of homeownership was 49.5%. The racial makeup of the city was 47.9% African American, 42.9% White, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.4% of the population. The percentage of homes where another language than English was the primary language was 10.4%.

The median income for a household in the city from 2008-2012 was $36,469. About 26% of the population were below the poverty line.

Economy
Wilson is the birthplace of Branch Banking and Trust Corporation, now Truist Financial. Now headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist Financial is among Wilson County's top employers, with around 2,000 people working in various financial services.

Bridgestone Americas operates a plant in Wilson that employs more than 1,800 people who make radial tires for cars and light trucks. Bridgestone recently completed a 6-year, $250 million renovation of the plant, which was retooled to make run-flat passenger car tires that are sold in both the US and Japan. In 2014 the plant marked 1 million man-hours without a lost-time accident.

Other large employers include Wilson County Schools; Wilson Medical Center; Smithfield Packing Co., pork products; UTC Aerospace Systems (formerly Kidde Aerospace and Defense before UTC's acquisition), aircraft fire protection systems; Sandoz, generic prescription drugs; Merck Manufacturing Division, pharmaceutical drugs; and Ardagh Group, glass containers.

Largest employers
According to the City's 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Sports
Wilson is home to the Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Tobs play at Fleming Stadium in Wilson. The Tobs began play for the league's inaugural 1997 season. Wilson Speedway held 12 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1951 and 1960 as it was open at the county fairgrounds between 1934 and 1989. The Single-A Minor League Baseball team the Carolina Mudcats are expected to relocate to Wilson, following the 2025 Carolina League season. They will play at a new $75.5-million stadium near downtown, about 20 mi east of Five County Stadium, where they currently play in Zebulon, North Carolina.

Tourist attractions
Wilson is the home of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, an Outsider Art installation. Simpson specialized in large kinetic sculptures called "whirligigs", which Simpson made from salvaged metal. Simpson became nationally known after he was commissioned to create a whirligig for the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. The 55-foot (17 m) high, 45-foot (14 m) wide whirligig called "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" was installed for the museum's opening in November, 1995. Other of Simpson's whirligigs have been exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City and at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg, Virginia. Whirligig Park opened in Wilson in late 2017.

Government
Wilson has a City Council-City Manager form of government. The City Council includes seven members who are elected by single-member districts and a mayor who is elected at-large. All terms are four years. The City Council makes policy and budget decisions. It appoints a city manager and staff to implement its decisions and operate the city's daily affairs.

Elected continuously since 1992, C. Bruce Rose was the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Prior to his election, he served as a city firefighter for 30 years and fire chief for seven years.

As of November 5, 2019, Carlton Stevens, JR. was elected as Mayor of Wilson, N.C. Mayor Stevens is a native of Wilson and is also co-owner of Stevens Funeral Home, alongside his Mother (Carol).

Elementary schools

 * Wells
 * Margaret Hearne
 * Vick
 * New Hope
 * Vinson-Bynum
 * B.O. Barnes
 * Winstead
 * Frederick Douglass (Formerly Elm City)
 * Stantonsburg
 * Lee Woodard
 * Lucama
 * Rock Ridge
 * Gardners
 * Jones

Middle schools

 * C H Darden
 * Forest Hills Middle
 * Toisnot
 * Elm City
 * Speight
 * Springfield

High schools

 * E. T. Beddingfield High School
 * Ralph L. Fike High School
 * James B. Hunt High School
 * Wilson Early College Academy
 * Wilson Academy of Applied Technology
 * Wilson Preparatory Academy

Alternative schools

 * Daniels Learning Center (6-8).

Charter schools
Youth Enrichment Program of Wilson, Inc. operates Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts and Education which is named after Sallie Baldwin Howard. Wilson Preparatory Academy also serves Wilson and surrounding counties as a charter school.

State-operated schools
The Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf is operated by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Office of Education Services.

Private schools
Wilson is home to several private schools:
 * Community Christian School (Daycare - Pre-K -12)
 * Garnett Christian Academy
 * Wilson Christian Academy (Daycare - Pre-K -12)
 * Greenfield School (Pre-K-12) (non-sectarian)
 * Charis Prep (Christian, 9-12)

Colleges

 * Barton College, a liberal arts college
 * Wilson Community College.

Media
Wilson's chief source of print journalism is the Wilson Times, established in 1896. Broadcast network television stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX Affiliates), are based in Raleigh, North Carolina and include Wilson in their market.

Telecommunications
The city has built its own Government-access television (GATV) municipal cable TV provider known as Greenlight, which provides cable TV, digital phone and internet to its residents. Greenlight was formed in 2008 to provide an independent, locally owned and operated option for television, telephone and Internet broadband connectivity for Wilson residents. Since then, Greenlight has grown to provide services to more than 6,000 residential customers and businesses and the Wilson County School System. In addition, Greenlight provides free wireless Internet access throughout the downtown Wilson area. In 2013 Wilson was the first city in North Carolina to offer gigabit Internet connectivity service to its residents via a fiber optic network. That service allows Internet users to upload or download data at speeds up to one billion bits per second. However, North Carolina state law has prevented the expansion of Wilson's municipal network to nearby communities that have requested connections, and that restriction was upheld in the 2016 circuit court ruling Tennessee v. FCC.

Transportation
Wilson is served by two airports: Wilson Industrial Airport and Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport (RWI), and by the Wilson Amtrak Station.

The following highways travel through Wilson: I-95, I-587, I-795, U.S. 301, U.S. Route 264, U.S. 117, N.C. 42, and N.C. 58. Five-lane roads include Hines Street, Tarboro Street, and Ward Boulevard.

RIDE is the City of Wilson's on-demand micro-transit service. RIDE replaced the fixed route bus system on September 1, 2020. RIDE is a partnership between the City of Wilson and Via, a leader in micro-transit service. https://www.wilsonnc.org/residents/all-departments/public-works/wilson-transit-ride-wilson-industrial-air-center/ride

Healthcare
Wilson Medical Center is a 330-bed hospital.

Notable people

 * Jamareo Artis Musician and bass player for Bruno Mars.
 * Cora Lily Woodard Aycock (1868–1952), First Lady of North Carolina and President of the North Carolina Railroad
 * Red Barrett (1915–1990) was a pitcher who played eleven career seasons in the National League
 * Glenn Bass (born 1939) is a former collegiate and professional American football player.
 * Hunter Bell is an author and actor. Bell was born in Alabama and raised in Wilson.
 * G. K. Butterfield (born 1947) was the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 1st congressional district from 2004-2022
 * Jean Farmer-Butterfield is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly
 * Freddie Bynum (born 1980) is a shortstop playing for the Somerset Patriots
 * Ben Flowers (1927–2009) was raised in Wilson and played for four Major League teams
 * Jentezen Franklin is Senior Pastor at Free Chapel in Gainesville, Georgia
 * Celeste Gold Broughton (1925–2022), writer and socialite
 * Daisy Hendley Gold (1893–1975), journalist and author
 * Pleasant Daniel Gold (1833–1920), American publisher and clergyman
 * James B. Hunt, Jr. He was elected governor of North Carolina, serving a record four terms.
 * Martha Hunt (born 1989) American fashion model.
 * Izel Jenkins (born 1964) Football player with the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants.
 * Thomas Kenan (1838–1911) Confederate soldier and later a politician
 * Ike Lassiter (born 1940) is a former American football defensive lineman.
 * Walt McKeel (born 1972) is a former professional baseball player.
 * Louis B. Meyer (1933–1999) was a North Carolina jurist
 * Ed Mitchell (born 1948/1949), barbecue pitmaster and businessman
 * Naomi E. Morris (1921–1986) was a jurist who served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals
 * Miguel A. Núñez, Jr. (born 1964) is an American actor.
 * Vance Page (1905–1951) was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs from 1938 to 1941.
 * Stan Partenheimer [Party] (1922–1989) was a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.
 * Julius Peppers (born 1980) is an American retired football outside linebacker/defensive end for the Carolina Panthers
 * Randy Renfrow (born 1958) is a former NASCAR driver in the Craftsman Truck Series before retiring.
 * Corey Thomas (born 1975) is a former professional American football wide receiver
 * Gregory Walcott was born Bernard Mattox in Wendell, North Carolina. He appeared as a drill instructor in the film Battle Cry
 * John Webb (1926–2008) was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (1986–1998).
 * Harry F. Weyher Jr. (1921–2002) was an American lawyer and president of the Pioneer Fund from 1958 to 2002.
 * John E. Woodard (1855–1928), mayor of Wilson, state delegate and state senator

title: Wilson, North Carolina


text:
South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire is a unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of Gloucestershire, South West England. Towns in the area include Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Kingswood, Thornbury, Filton, Patchway and Bradley Stoke. The southern part of its area falls within the Greater Bristol urban area surrounding the city of Bristol.

South Gloucestershire was created in 1996 to replace the Northavon district of the abolished county of Avon. It is separate from Gloucestershire County Council, but is part of the ceremonial county and shares Gloucestershire's Lord Lieutenant (the Sovereign's representative to the county). Because of its history as part of the county of Avon, South Gloucestershire works closely with the other unitary authorities that took over when that county was abolished, including shared services such as Avon Fire and Rescue Service and Avon and Somerset Police, together with co-operation in planning strategy for transport, roads and housing.

History
Prior to the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974, the area that now forms South Gloucestershire formed part of the shire county of Gloucestershire, comprising the urban districts of Kingswood and Mangotsfield and the Rural Districts of Warmley, Sodbury and Thornbury. However, under the terms of that act, the area was removed from Gloucestershire, and became part of the county of Avon, forming the districts of Kingswood and Northavon.

In 1996, the county of Avon was abolished, and South Gloucestershire was created as a unitary authority area comprising the former districts of Kingswood and Northavon. The area borders the city and county of Bristol, the Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority area, and the shire counties of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

The geographic area currently known as South Gloucestershire should not be confused with Southern Gloucestershire. Nor should organisations or bodies in the past titled 'South Gloucestershire' (meaning Southern Gloucestershire) be confused with the area covered by the unitary authority.

Demographic
At the 2001 census, the population of South Gloucestershire was 245,641.

At the 2011 census, the population had increased to 262,767.

At the 2021 census, the population estimate for South Gloucestershire is 290,400.

According to the 2001 census estimates, 97.6 percent of the population was described as white, 0.8 percent as dual heritage, 0.7 percent as Asian or Asian British, 0.4 percent as Black or Black British and 0.5 percent as Chinese or other.

Much of the population is in towns that form the 'suburbs' to the north and east of Bristol. There are also the large towns of Yate and its neighbour Chipping Sodbury, Thornbury, the large villages of Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell, Wickwar, Alveston, Olveston and Tockington.

Economy
The main employers are the local authority with 9,500 people and the Ministry of Defence Headquarters for Defence Procurement and the Naval Support Command with 7,000 employees. Other key employers include Airbus, Rolls-Royce and the Royal Mail, which dominates the Filton-Patchway area of South Gloucestershire. Friends Provident and Hewlett-Packard also have major offices in nearby Stoke Gifford.

Many employers operate in the heavily developed area between the northern edge of Bristol and the M5 motorway, an area sometimes described as the North Fringe of Bristol. This includes the Cribbs Causeway shopping centre, comprising The Mall regional shopping centre and the surrounding retail parks. East of Patchway are the Aztec West and Almondsbury business parks either side of the A38, extending to Bradley Stoke and the M4/M5 Almondsbury Interchange. Employers with sites in this area include EE and the RAC.

Education
South Gloucestershire is home to 99 primary schools, 16 secondary schools, and post-16 colleges and centres. There is one university, the University of the West of England, which was a former polytechnic. In 2008, DCSF figures revealed that there was a 6.6% overall absence in the district's secondary schools, whilst 7.4% is the national average.

In 2005, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer recognised the City of Bristol's ties to science and technology by naming it one of six "science cities", and promising funding for further development of science in the city, with a £300 million science park planned at Emersons Green, in South Gloucestershire.

Media
The area is served by BBC West and ITV West Country broadcasting from the Mendip TV transmitter.

Radio stations for the area are:

BBC Local Radio

 * BBC Radio Bristol

Independent Radio

 * Heart West
 * Greatest Hits Radio Bristol & The South West
 * Hits Radio Bristol
 * Kiss

Community Radio

 * BCfm
 * Thornbury Radio (formerly Gloss FM)
 * Bradley Stoke Radio

Geography
The River Severn forms the north-western edge of the area, with a wide coastal plain terminated by an escarpment. East of this is the wide River Frome Valley drainage area. Further east is another escarpment running roughly north–south, passing between Yate and Chipping Sodbury and west of Pucklechurch. The Cotswolds Escarpment forms the eastern edge of South Gloucestershire, while the western half is mainly urbanised.

A small part of the Cotswolds and the National Trust site of Dyrham Park are also in the district. South of the motorways are suburbs of Bristol while areas north are rural. Some of the inner green belts have been taken away by developments like the new town of Bradley Stoke.

Transport
Many areas of South Gloucestershire have easy commuting access to Bristol (via the A38 and M32) and to Bath, as well as westward to South Wales and Cardiff via the two Severn bridges. The M5 and M4 motorways provide access to Gloucester and London. Bristol's northern and eastern ring road, the A4174, passes through South Gloucestershire. The Metrobus express bus network extends from Bristol into South Gloucestershire, and is supported by the district council.

The area also has an important and well used railway network, with many direct routes to towns and cities across the UK. This includes eastward to London and westward through the Severn Tunnel to Cardiff and the rest of South Wales. There are also routes to the South-West counties and north to England's second city, Birmingham. Many routes cross in Stoke Gifford at Bristol Parkway station. There are six stations within the district, mainly located near the border with Bristol in the west of the district.

Settlements

 * Kingswood 40,734
 * Bradley Stoke 27,805
 * Yate 27,603
 * Thornbury 12,342
 * Stoke Gifford 11,509
 * Patchway 10,465
 * Filton 9,861

Other towns and villages

 * Abson, Acton Turville, Almondsbury, Alveston, Aust, Awkley
 * Badminton, Bagstone, Beach, Bitton, Bridgeyate
 * Cadbury Heath, Catbrain, Charfield, Cheswick, Charlton (former village), Charlton Hayes, Chipping Sodbury, Churchend, Coalpit Heath, Codrington, Cold Ashton, Compton Greenfield, Conham, Cowhill, Cromhall
 * Dodington, Downend, Doynton, Duckhole, Dunkirk, Dyrham
 * Earthcott, Easter Compton, Elberton, Emersons Green, Engine Common
 * Falfield, Frampton Cotterell, Frenchay
 * Gaunt's Earthcott
 * Hallen, Hambrook, Hanham, Harry Stoke, Hawkesbury, Hawkesbury Upton, Hill, Hinton, Horton
 * Ingst, Iron Acton, Itchington
 * Latteridge, Little Badminton, Little Sodbury, Little Stoke, Littleton-upon-Severn, Longwell Green
 * Mangotsfield, Marshfield, Milbury Heath, Upper and Lower Morton
 * Nibley, Northwick
 * Oldbury Naite, Oldbury-on-Severn, Old Down, Oldland, Oldland Common, Old Sodbury, Olveston, Over
 * Pilning, Pennsylvania, Petty France, Pucklechurch
 * Rangeworthy, Redwick, Rockhampton, Rudgeway
 * Severn Beach, Shepperdine, Siston, Soundwell, Staple Hill, Swineford
 * Tockington, Tormarton, Tortworth, Tytherington
 * Upton Cheyney
 * Wapley, Warmley, West Littleton, Westerleigh, Whitfield, Wick, Wickwar, Willsbridge, Winterbourne

Places of interest

 * Avon Valley Railway
 * Cribbs Causeway and The Mall
 * Aerospace Bristol – aviation and space museum, Concorde among the exhibits
 * Severn Way
 * The Severn crossings
 * Thornbury Castle

Democracy
The Conservatives held an overall majority on the council from 2015 until 2023; previously no party had overall control, except for 1999–2003 when the Liberal Democrats had a majority. After the 2023 elections, Labour and the Liberal Democrats formed a coalition which took control of the council, this being Labour's first time in control and the Liberal Democrats for the first time in twenty years.

In 2012, it became one of the first authorities in the UK to return to a Committee System, abolishing the single party Cabinet, as allowed under the Localism Act. This was later reverted to a leader and cabinet system in 2017 during the Conservative majority.

For Westminster elections, the area is covered by three constituencies, all lying within the authority boundary. These are: ''County/Borough is a legal term denoting the type of constituency. County is a rural area, Borough is an urban area.''
 * Thornbury and Yate (county)
 * Filton and Bradley Stoke (county)
 * Kingswood (borough)

title: South Gloucestershire


text:
Junk

Junk may refer to:

Arts and entertainment

 * Junk (film), a 2000 Japanese horror film
 * J-U-N-K, a 1920 American film
 * Junk (novel), by Melvin Burgess, 1996
 * Junk, a novel by Christopher Largen

Groups

 * Junk (band), a British pop band

Albums

 * Junk, by Ferry Corsten, 2006
 * Junk, by Jejune, 1997
 * Junk, by Junk (band), 1995
 * Junk (M83 album), 2016

Songs

 * "Junk" (song), written by Paul McCartney in 1970
 * "Junk", song from Bronski Beat's album The Age of Consent (album)
 * "Junk", song from Zico Chain's album Food (Zico Chain album)

Other uses in arts and entertainment

 * Junk: Record of the Last Hero, a shōnen manga series by Kia Asamiya
 * Junk: The Golden Age of Debt, a play by Ayad Akhtar

Finance

 * Junk bond
 * Junk status, a debt credit rating

People

 * Bruno Junk (1929–1995), Estonian race walker, two-time Olympic bronze medal winner
 * Janson Junk (born 1996), American baseball pitcher
 * Sebastian Junk (born 1983), German Paralympic judoka
 * Wilhelm Junk (1866–1942), Czech-born antiquarian bookseller and entomologist

Places

 * Junk Bay, Hong Kong
 * Fat Tong Chau, Junk Island in English, a former island of Hong Kong
 * Pulau Jong or Junk Island, off the coast of Singapore
 * Junk, an islet near Hoy, Shetland, Scotland

Slang

 * Rubbish (disambiguation)
 * Waste
 * Garbage
 * Heroin
 * Human male sex organ
 * Off-speed pitch, in baseball, also called junk
 * Salt-cured meat, frequently called junk

Other uses

 * Junk (ship), a type of Chinese sailing vessel
 * Junk, a sperm whale equivalent of the melon (cetacean)
 * Junk data, any file or byte of data that does not serve any real purpose other than wasting space

title: Junk


text:
Arlington, North Carolina

Arlington was a town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 795 at the 2000 census.

The town was incorporated on July 23, 1930. It merged into its larger neighbor, Jonesville, after a vote on May 29, 2001. The two towns had a combined population of about 2,250 people.

Geography
Arlington was located at 36.2275°N, -80.83194°W (36.227481, -80.831861).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town had a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 795 people, 353 households, and 242 families residing in the town. The population density was 945.4 PD/sqmi. There were 376 housing units at an average density of 447.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 91.95% White, 6.04% African American, 1.26% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.39% of the population.

There were 353 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 20.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the town the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,789, and the median income for a family was $32,500. Males had a median income of $23,421 versus $22,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,469. About 14.4% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.1% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Arlington, North Carolina


text:
Predestination in Calvinism

Predestination is a doctrine in Calvinism dealing with the question of the control that God exercises over the world. In the words of the Westminster Confession of Faith, God "freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass." The second use of the word "predestination" applies this to salvation, and refers to the belief that God appointed the eternal destiny of some to salvation by grace, while leaving the remainder to receive eternal damnation for all their sins, even their original sin. The former is called "unconditional election", and the latter "reprobation". In Calvinism, some people are predestined and effectually called in due time (regenerated/born again) to faith by God, all others are reprobated.

Calvinism places more emphasis on election compared to other branches of Christianity.

Origins
Predestination of the elect and non-elect was taught by the Jewish Essene sect, Gnosticism, and Manichaeism. In Christianity, the doctrine that God unilaterally predestines some persons to heaven and some to hell originated with Augustine of Hippo during the Pelagian controversy in 412 AD. Pelagius and his followers taught that people are not born with original sin and can choose to be good or evil. The controversy caused Augustine to radically reinterpret the teachings of the apostle Paul, arguing that faith is a free gift from God rather than something humans can choose. Noting that not all will hear or respond to God's offered covenant, Augustine considered that "the more general care of God for the world becomes particularised in God's care for the elect". He explicitly defended God's justice in sending newborn and stillborn babies to hell if they died without baptism.

Double predestination
Double predestination is the idea that not only does God choose some to be saved, he also creates some people who will be damned.

Some modern Calvinists respond to the ethical dilemma of double predestination by explaining that God's active predestination is only for the elect. God provides grace to the elect causing salvation, but for the damned God withholds salvific grace. Calvinists teach that God remains just and fair in creating persons he predestines to damnation because although God unilaterally works in the elect producing regeneration, God does not actively force the damned to sin. Double predestination may not be the view of any of the Reformed confessions, which speak of God passing over rather than actively reprobating the damned. However, John Calvin rejected such a position, stating: "This they do ignorantly and childishly since there could be no election without its opposite reprobation ... whom God passes by he reprobates, and that for no other cause but because he is pleased to exclude them from the inheritance which he predestines to his children."

Scholars have disagreed over whether Heinrich Bullinger accepted the doctrine of double predestination. Frank A. James says that he rejected it, preferring a view called "single predestination" where God elects some to salvation, but does not in any way predestine to reprobation. Cornelis Venema, on the other hand, argues that "Bullinger did not consistently articulate a doctrine of single predestination," and defended double predestination on a few occasions.

Calvin's writings
John Calvin taught double predestination. He wrote the foundational work on this topic, Institutes of the Christian Religion (1539), while living in Strasbourg after his expulsion from Geneva and consulting regularly with the Reformed theologian Martin Bucer. Calvin's belief in the uncompromised "sovereignty of God" spawned his doctrines of providence and predestination. For the world, without providence it would be "unlivable". For individuals, without predestination "no one would be saved".

Calvin's doctrine of providence is straightforward. "All events whatsoever are governed by the secret counsel of God." Therefore, "nothing happens but what [God] has knowingly and willingly decreed." This excludes "fortune and chance." Calvin applied his doctrine of providence concerning "all events" to individuals and their salvation in his doctrine of predestination.

Calvin opened his exposition of predestination with an "actual fact". The "actual fact" that Calvin observed was that even among those to whom "the covenant of life" is preached, it does not gain the same acceptance. Although, "all are called to repentance and faith", in fact, "the spirit of repentance and faith is not given to all".

Calvin turned to the teachings of Jesus for a theological interpretation of the diversity that some people accept the "covenant of life" and some do not. Pointing to the Parable of the Sower, Calvin observed, "it is no new thing for the seed to fall among thorns or in stony places". In Jesus' teaching in John 6:65 that "no one can come to me unless it has been granted him by my Father", Calvin found the key to his theological interpretation of the diversity.

For Calvin's biblically-based theology, this diversity reveals the "unsearchable depth of the divine judgment", a judgment "subordinate to God's purpose of eternal election". God offers salvation to some, but not to all. To many this seems a perplexing subject, because they deem it "incongruous that ... some should be predestinated to salvation, and others to destruction". However, Calvin asserted that the incongruity can be resolved by proper views concerning "election and predestination".

Thus, Calvin based his theological description of people as "predestinated to life or to death" on biblical authority and "actual fact". Calvin noted that Scripture requires that we "consider this great mystery" of predestination, but he also warned against unrestrained "human curiosity" regarding it. For believers, knowing that "the cause of our salvation did not proceed from us, but from God alone" evokes gratitude.

Reprobation: active decree, passive foreordination
Calvinists emphasise the active nature of God's decree to choose those foreordained to eternal wrath, yet at the same time the passive nature of that foreordination.

This is possible because most Calvinists hold to an infralapsarian view of God's decree. In that view, God, before Creation, in his mind, first decreed that the Fall of Man would take place, before decreeing election and reprobation. So God actively chooses whom to condemn, but because he knows they will have a sinful nature, the way he foreordains them is to simply let them be – this is sometimes called "preterition." Therefore, this foreordination to wrath is passive in nature (unlike God's active predestination of his elect where he needs to overcome their sinful nature).

Equal ultimacy
The WCF uses different words for the act of God's election and reprobation: "predestinated" and "foreordained" respectively. This suggests that the two do not operate in the same way. The term "equal ultimacy" is sometimes used of the view that the two decrees are symmetrical: God works equally to keep the elect in heaven and the reprobate out of heaven. This view is sometimes erroneously referred to as "double predestination", on which see above. R. C. Sproul argues against this position on the basis that it implies God "actively intervenes to work sin" in the lives of the reprobate. Robert L. Reymond, however, insists on equal ultimacy of election and reprobation in the divine decree, though he suggests that "we must not speak of an exact identity of divine causality behind both."

Calvinists hold that even if their scheme is characterized as a form of determinism, it is one which insists upon the free agency and moral responsibility of the individual. Additionally, they hold that the will is in bondage to sin and therefore unable to actualize its true freedom. Hence, an individual whose will is enslaved to sin cannot choose to serve God. Since Calvinists further hold that salvation is by grace apart from good works (sola gratia) and since they view making a choice to trust God as an action or work, they maintain that the act of choosing cannot be the difference between salvation and damnation, as in the Arminian scheme. Rather, God must first free the individual from his enslavement to sin to a greater degree than in Arminianism, and then the regenerated heart naturally chooses the good. This work by God is sometimes called irresistible, in the sense that grace enables a person to freely cooperate, being set free from the desire to do the opposite, so that cooperation is not the cause of salvation but the other way around.

Barthian views
20th century Reformed theologian Karl Barth reinterpreted the Reformed doctrine of predestination. For Barth, God elects Christ as rejected and chosen man. Individual people are not the subjects of election, but are elected or rejected by virtue of their being in Christ. Interpreters of Barth such as Shirley Guthrie have called this a "Trinitarian" as opposed to a "speculative" view of predestination. According to Guthrie, God freely loves all people, and his just condemnation of sinners is motivated by love and a desire for reconciliation.

Pro

 * A Brief Declaration on Predestination by Theodore Beza
 * Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner
 * Some Thoughts on Predestination by B. B. Warfield
 * Divine and Human Freedom – by Andrew Sandlin. An explanation of free will under a Calvinist system (i.e., the difference between Calvinist predestination and fatalism).

Con

 * The Antecedent and Consequent Will of God: Is this a Valid and Useful Distinction? by A. Hussman (a Confessional Lutheran perspective)
 * Sermon #58: "On Predestination" by John Wesley
 * Sermon #128: "Free Grace" by John Wesley
 * A criticism of predestination by Tim Staples

title: Predestination in Calvinism


text:
Boonville, North Carolina

Boonville is a town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,222 at the 2010 census.

History
Boonville was named for Daniel Boone. A post office has been in operation in Boonville since 1857. The town was incorporated by the North Carolina legislature on February 19, 1895.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, all land.

Nearby communities

 * Jonesville
 * Elkin
 * East Bend
 * Yadkinville
 * Dobson

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,185 people, 522 households, and 283 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,138 people, 476 households, and 343 families residing in the town. The population density was 894.0 PD/sqmi. There were 511 housing units at an average density of 401.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.29% White, 4.48% African American, 0.26% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 476 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,019, and the median income for a family was $42,794. Males had a median income of $30,341 versus $21,298 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,101. About 13.2% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.

Fire department
The Boonville Community Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1941. The former fire department building has since been named the Harvey E Smith Municipal Building and now houses the police station and meeting space for the town council. The new fire station was erected in 1997. It houses numerous apparatus and is operated by both volunteer personnel and paid staff.

Notable people

 * Mamrie Hart, comedian, actress and writer
 * Heather Macy, women's college basketball coach
 * L. D. Williams, professional basketball player

title: Boonville, North Carolina


text:
East Bend, North Carolina

East Bend is a town in northeastern Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 634 at the 2020 census. It is a Piedmont Triad community.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 659 people, 271 households, and 188 families residing in the town. The population density was 514.8 PD/sqmi. There were 304 housing units at an average density of 237.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 95.14% White, 1.21% African American, 0.91% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 1.67% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.50% of the population.

There were 271 households, out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $39,333, and the median income for a family was $49,000. Males had a median income of $32,321 versus $26,667 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,611. About 3.3% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.

Nearby cities/towns

 * Boonville
 * King
 * Tobaccoville
 * Bethania
 * Winston-Salem
 * Lewisville

Native American settlement
One of the most significant Native American excavation sites in North Carolina is located near the Yadkin River west of the town of Donnaha. Donnaha was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 6, 1978. Experts from Wake Forest University believe this was the site of a village of at least 100 Sioux Indians dating to the late Woodland Period.

Earl Norman, an East Bend artifact collector, donated 5,000 pieces of his collection of more than 10,000 relics to the North Carolina Department of Archives and History in 1960.

Establishment of town
East Bend was first known as Banner's Store. It was named for merchant Martin Luther Banner. Early settler Martin Luther Banner later moved west and founded Banner Elk, North Carolina.

On March 7, 1887, the General Assembly incorporated the town of East Bend and named it after the east bend of the Yadkin River. Officers were mayor J.H Johnson; commissioners Dr. Evan Benbow, J.H. Jenkins, J.A. Martin, Dr. W.E. Benbow, and J.G. Huff; and constable J.M. Whittington.

J.G. Huff established the first buggy-manufacturing business in town in 1873. The Huff Buggy Factory, built in 1893, was said to be the largest buggy factory in the South. Huff closed the buggy works about 1920 and began operating a funeral home, which is still owned and operated by his heirs.

The Yadkin Ripple, a weekly newspaper still published in Yadkin County, began in East Bend in 1896.

In 1904, the town's population was 444 and it boasted a hotel, two buggy factories, a tobacco bag factory, a bank, and several stores. However, a decision by the Southern Railroad to bypass the town 1890 put a damper on the town's growth. Roger Moore, now a film critic for The Orlando Sentinel, compared East Bend to Lake Wobegon, "It's a homey town with a lot of history and a few 'might-have-beens,' " Moore wrote in The Winston-Salem Journal.

The Yadkin County Agricultural Fair was held in East Bend from 1914 until 1978. The fair was first held at the old schoolhouse and in later years was moved to a tract east of town on North Carolina Highway 67. The fairgrounds were later converted to a community softball park.

Public schools
Most children in town attend East Bend Elementary School, a kindergarten through sixth-grade public community school at N.C. Highway 67 Bypass and Flint Hill Road. The school traces its history back to the East Bend Academy, which operated from 1856-1889. In 1890, it became known as Union High School. Most of the high school and its records burned in 1964. It was rebuilt at the site and became an elementary-only school after countywide consolidation in 1967.

East Bend is one of five feeder schools for Forbush High School and the newly built middle school, which is located in the ZIP code area of East Bend south of town. Two other elementary schools are located in the East Bend ZIP code area, Forbush and Fall Creek.

Attractions

 * Yadkin Islands Park, part of Pilot Mountain State Park, is located about two miles north of town.
 * Davis Brothers Store, which was a general store in the early 20th century on Main Street, has been renovated and is now an Italian restaurant. Scenes from Two Soldiers, which won the 2004 Academy Award for best live action short film, were filmed in front of Davis Brothers and the old Morse and Wade Building, a turn-of the century building that was on the National Registry but torn down in 2006.
 * East Bend is located in the Yadkin Valley AVA, an American Viticultural Area.
 * In addition to the Davis Brothers Store, the Donnaha Site and Morse and Wade Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Notable people

 * Terrie Hall (b. 1960), head and neck cancer survivor and anti-smoking advocate
 * John Hanks, cousin of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, mother of Abraham Lincoln
 * Joseph J. Kinyoun was the founder and first director 1887-1899 of the United States' Hygienic Laboratory, the predecessor of the National Institutes of Health
 * Ben Neill, Jr., trumpeter and composer
 * Ernie Shore, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees pitcher

title: East Bend, North Carolina


text:
Jonesville, North Carolina

Jonesville, originally called Allen's Settlement, is the oldest town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,285 at the 2010 census. The town grew by nearly 800 residents in 2001 when it merged with neighboring Arlington. Recognized as the Heart of the Yadkin Valley, Jonesville is a gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Yadkin Valley Heritage/Cultural Corridor and to local wineries in the Swan Creek AVA and the larger Yadkin Valley AVA, as well as offering access to the Yadkin river.

Overview
The town, situated on the south bank of the Yadkin River, lies beneath Daniel Boone's hunting trails through the Brushy Mountains, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors are served by a state-of-the-art Welcome Center. With retail and specialty shops/services in the immediate area, Jonesville offers an expanding antique mall at exit 83. Within five miles are regional sky diving facilities, an international motorcycle manufacturing plant, a restoration center for vintage cars, a popular herb farm, a History Center and historic park, a medieval reenactment center and a horse ranch specializing in riding lessons and mustang rehabilitation.

Seven local hotels, multiple fast food and conventional restaurants and gas stations are located near I-77 exits (83 and 79). Jonesville offers convenient access to athletic, college, cultural and recreational resources in larger Piedmont cities such as Winston-Salem, Statesville and Charlotte.

A military out-post during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Jonesville is not a typical "Interstate town." Currently working to preserve its history, it is home to an historic Bicentennial Park (Mineral Springs Park) featuring a Tri-County Veterans' Memorial with 3,000+ names of those who have served our nation since pre-Revolutionary War conflicts. The Mineral Springs Park, located along the Yadkin River, was once a respite where multiple wilderness trails converged, approximating highways 67 and 21 through Yadkin County. A recreational park (Swaim Park) with playgrounds, ball fields, tennis courts, walking trails, picnic areas and bandstand adjoin a Senior Center and a Medical Center.

A GreenWay along the Yadkin River is under development. Future plans include reconstructing a functional ferry that operated during the Civil War and establishing a walking trail along the historic woodland routes that converged in historic Mineral Springs Park.

The Yadkin River divides Jonesville and Elkin. The area is referred to as the Tri-County (Surry, Wilkes, Yadkin) Region and is located in the Yadkin Valley AVA, an American Viticultural Area. Wines made from grapes grown in the Yadkin Valley AVA may use the appellation Yadkin Valley on their labels. At least a dozen wineries are located within 15 mi of the town.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.9 sqmi, of which 1.9 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (1.05%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,308 people, 1,068 households, and 676 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,464 people, 668 households, and 416 families residing in the town. The population density was 780.6 PD/sqmi. There were 752 housing units at an average density of 401.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 80.60% White, 16.26% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 1.57% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.51% of the population.

There were 668 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,543, and the median income for a family was $31,400. Males had a median income of $26,200 versus $20,242 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,528. About 14.7% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.8% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

The town grew by about 1,000 residents after it merged with neighboring town Arlington in 2001. The new town has a population of about 2,250.

Highways
Interstate 77 runs through the east of town. The town is accessible via two interstate exits: North Carolina Highway 67/Winston Road and Business U.S. Route 21 in the Arlington area. N.C. 67 is a heavily used artery, linking Jonesville with Winston-Salem.

Until recently, two bridges linked the commercial districts of Jonesville and Elkin, the Hugh G. Chatham Bridge and the newer Gwen McNeill Bridge, less than a mile upstream on Business U.S. 21. The Chatham Bridge, built in 1931 and regarded by many in the area as a community symbol with its tall steel beams, was closed in November 2005 after it failed a state inspection. The North Carolina Department of Transportation does not plan to reopen or replace the bridge. Neither city would take the risk of insuring the bridge so it could be saved as a historic landmark.

Airports
Swan Creek Airport, which is privately owned, is southwest of town and is the home of the Carolina Sky Diving School. Elkin Municipal Airport is located in nearby Elkin. Commercial flights are available through Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro and Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Early history
Jonesville is Yadkin County's oldest town and was at one time the largest town west of Raleigh, according to An Illustrated History of Yadkin County 1950-1980, by William E. Rutledge Jr. Initially called Allen's Settlement, after the owner of an early iron ore forge, the settlement was established behind a towering, protective bluff above the south bank of the Yadkin River. It soon became a commercial hub for the region, featuring a trading post, a tannery, medical personnel, a school, grist and lumber mills, a cotton mill and a garrison overlooking the Yadkin Valley that served as an outpost for local militia during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Although a contemporary designation aligns the overmountain trail-head in an adjoining Surry County community, Allen's Settlement—formerly located in Surry County—is now recognized as part of the OverMountain Trail. Based on family journals and oral history, Allen's Settlement and historic Mineral Springs Park are identified as a mustering site for patriots who marched to defeat the British at Kings Mountain.

Allen's Settlement was incorporated as Martinsborough in 1811, but the name was later changed to Jonesville in honor of Hardy Jones (1747–1819). Jones fought in the American Revolution and was instrumental in bringing the Jonesville Male and Female Academy to Jonesville. A marker to Hardy Jones is on the lawn of Jonesville United Methodist Church.

In addition to the timber and iron ore markets, the town also grew around the Jonesville Male and Female Academy, according to Rutledge. The Academy was affiliated with the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church. The Rev. William L. Van Eaton, who was born in Davie County, was principal of the school at its peak in 1859. In its history, the Academy attracted numerous scholars of the era, including Bishop Francis Asbury and Brantley York, subsequent founder of Trinity-Union Institute, which was later named Duke University.

On April 1, 1865, troops commanded by Union Brigadier General George Stoneman and Colonel Alvan C. Gillem devastated the town and the Academy in their search for Confederate soldiers and supplies. In the Academy, they broke chandeliers and destroyed school equipment. This marked the end of the school.

Gillem's troops, known as "home Yankees," also ransacked businesses and chased away teachers and military-aged men. Union troops had been told the town was a haven for Confederate spies and military supplies. They failed to find evidence of an Underground Railroad for escaping slaves and deserting soldiers, assumed to be located in private homes and the iron ore caves in Jonesville. The town never fully recovered.

One of the last pieces of early town history, a house once occupied by Van Eaton that dated back to the 1830s, was torn down in 1996. At the time, it was believed to be the oldest house in town.

On December 21, 1912, two elderly women and a young girl were killed and nearly 100 people were injured after the floor of the Jonesville High School auditorium collapsed during a Christmas concert. As the floor of the second-floor auditorium gave way in the center, the audience of at least 300 people dropped to the first floor. Killed were: Nancy Swaim, Mrs. William Smith and Lexie Luffman, a 12-year-old girl. Sam Ray extinguished a fire in a stove in the auditorium as the floor began to collapse, saving many lives (Winston-Salem Journal).

Recent history
The town experienced unprecedented growth after Interstate 77 opened in 1974. The intersection of Interstate 77 and N.C. 67 (Winston Road) on the east side of town is a popular stop for travelers. It is one of the most developed along the interstate between Statesville and Mount Airy.

In 1980, Jonesville was named a "Governor's Community of Excellence" by Governor Jim Hunt for its economic development work.

Jonesville Police Sgt. Gregory Keith Martin was shot to death on October 5, 1996, on I-77. The case, which has been solved, received national attention on TV's America's Most Wanted in May 2005, January 2006 and June 2006. Martin was the town's first police officer to be shot in the line of duty. On October 3, 2012, 36-year-old Scott Vincent Sica was arrested in Cape Coral, Florida, and charged with first-degree murder. In 2009 The town put up a memorial to Sgt. Martin in front of the new town Hall. Every year there is a memorial ride through Jonesville to honor Sgt. Martin.

In 2009, the town built a multimillion-dollar town hall.

Print
Two community newspapers, The Tribune in Elkin and its sister paper The Yadkin Ripple, provide coverage of Jonesville. The Winston-Salem Journal, a larger daily newspaper, also covers the town.

Broadcast
Jonesville is part of the Piedmont Triad radio and television market, but many broadcasts from the Charlotte and Winston-Salem markets can be received as well. The cable provider is Time Warner.

Notable people

 * Dickie Hemric – former NBA player for the Boston Celtics (1955–1957), played collegiately at Wake Forest (1951–1955). Hemric was the all-time leading scorer in Atlantic Coast Conference history, until JJ Redick broke his record in 2006. Named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team in 2003.
 * Carlos King – former running back for N.C. State, drafted as a fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998. King holds the career rushing record for Starmount High School at 5,321 yards.
 * Adam Leroy Lane – convicted murderer

title: Jonesville, North Carolina