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Norwood, North Carolina

Norwood is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,379 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 sqmi, all land.

U.S. Route 52 passes through the town between Wadesboro and Albemarle.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,367 people, 830 households, and 584 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,216 people, 893 households, and 624 families residing in the town. The population density was 925.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,036 housing units at an average density of 432.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 67.69% White, 25.45% African American, 0.05% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 4.87% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.72% of the population.

There were 893 households, out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males. Of these males, Chase Burleson resides in the southeastern quadrant of the town.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,563, and the median income for a family was $37,460. Males had a median income of $29,922 versus $20,288 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,117. About 14.7% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 18.3% of those age 65 or over. Peyton Hatley is just one of these many people living in poverty.

About
Norwood is currently served by two railroads, one US Highway, and one NC Route. Water and sewer service is provided by the town through their own water and sewer plant. A branch library and museum provide educational opportunities. Bordered by Lake Tillery and the Rocky River, recreation is abundant. Golf is available at Piney Point Golf Club.

Fork Stables is located approximately two miles south of town and a Michelin tire plant, which manufactures aircraft tires, is located in town.

Police and fire protection are provided by the town by full-time officers.

Norwood is nestled in an area between two rivers next to the Uwharrie Mountains. There are two town parks for relaxation, recreation and exercise. The Darrell Almond Community Park is on North Main Street. This park features a gazebo next to the central pond and the Skidmore House which is available for community use. The park also features two walking trails, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, a shuffle board court and playground equipment. Picnic shelters and the Skidmore House can be reserved at Town Hall. Norwood Memorial Park, located between Turner and College streets, has athletic fields and a larger community building. The building can be reserved for a fee at Town Hall.

Norwood has recently adopted a comprehensive transportation plan, pedestrian plan, and land use plan. These plans will help the town grow in a meaningful way and provide more sidewalks and trails along with an overall plan for better roads and transportation. Several state bicycle trails pass through town and there are scenic by-ways along N.C. 24/27/73 and other highways.

Celebrations throughout the year include Arbor Day in April, Picnic in the Park in October, and the annual Christmas parade. The nearby Fork Stables host Outdoor Heritage Days and two weeks of equestrian cross country, dressage, and show jumping competitions.

Located in the southern Piedmont region of North Carolina in Stanly County, Norwood is situated at the confluence of the Pee Dee River and the Rocky River. Lake Tillery borders the town on the east. To the west is the Rocky River. The great natural resources of Morrow Mountain State Park, Uwharrie National Forest, lakes, rivers and streams of the Yadkin - Pee Dee valley are among the many historic and beautiful places to visit.

History
The first settlements in the Norwood area began in the 1740s with settlers from Delaware and other middle Atlantic colonies following Indian trails and rivers. These early settlements were along the local river valleys. One family, the Colsons, chose to settle near the confluence of the Rocky and Pee Dee rivers and built an ordinary, a tavern serving food and providing lodging. The Colsons also operated a mill and a ferry. Anson County granted a permit for Colson's Ordinary in the mid-18th century, at that time Stanly County was part of Anson. That permit may have been the first such granted in North Carolina. During the Revolutionary War Colson's land was the site of a patriot victory over local Tory forces. This is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Colson's Mill, the Battle of Colson's Ordinary or the Fight at Colson's. This area is now known as The Fork, named for the fork of the two rivers.

In the early 19th century at the centerline between the Rocky River and the Pee Dee River a camp meeting place was created. The area became known as Center. In 1826 Methodists built the first church on the camp meeting grounds. More activity and building occurred and the Center area became a trading center. The town of Norwood was incorporated in 1881 and named after the Norwood brothers' store, an early establishment in the Center community that housed the area's post office.

The local economy in the 19th century was primarily agricultural and Norwood was a commercial center. Mercantile stores (Wal-Marts of their day) in the town sold farm implements and most other necessities for everyday life. Norwood’s first high school, a private school, was built in 1879. Industries came to town in the late 1890s beginning with Norwood Manufacturing Company, a cotton mill which built the town's first mill and mill village. In the mid-1940s that facility was purchased and modernized by Collins & Aikman.

As with many communities, railroads changed the face of Norwood. The arrival of the Yadkin Railroad in 1891 allowed greater access to larger markets across the state and nation. Eventually two other railroads would serve Norwood; the original Norfolk Southern and the Winston-Salem Southbound. Until 1928 one could ride from Norwood to Albemarle and Badin in a rail car on the Yadkin Railroad. The Winston-Salem Southbound in the early 20th century saw a large number of passengers until improved roads and competition from the automobile ended that service in 1933.

In the early 20th century Norwood’s business district suffered a major disaster. A downtown fire spread up the east side of Main Street consuming all of the wooden buildings until it stopped at the two-story brick building housing Harris-McAulay Mercantile (now M. B. Irvin Unlimited). The fire was so intense that it blew out all the showcase windows of the U.B. Blalock building across the street (where the Family Dollar building now stands). When the downtown was rebuilt most buildings were built in brick. Norwood’s first public school was built in 1913 on the site of the present Norwood Elementary School.

The Pee Dee River was a natural resource to be tapped for producing electricity. The Yadkin had already been developed in the prior decade by Alcoa to produce electricity for their smelting facility in Badin. Carolina Power & Light Company began construction of the Tillery Hydroelectric development in 1926 and started producing electricity in the spring of 1928.

The Great Depression affected the town into the 1940s. Businesses and farms failed and property was sold at the courthouse steps for delinquent taxes. Norwood's only bank at the time failed also. Some businesses that did survive the depression operated only on a part-time basis.

In the 1950s a new town hall and police station was built on the corner of Pee Dee Avenue and Campbell Street where the Norwood Library and the Norwood Museum are now located. The police station has been moved to North Main Street in what was France Byrd's Pure service station. Town Hall is now on South Main Street, in what was originally the First National Bank of Albemarle.

The Randle House was listed on the National Register of Historic Placesin 1992.

title: Norwood, North Carolina


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Säter Municipality

Säter Municipality (Säters kommun) is one of the 290 municipalities of Sweden in Dalarna County in central Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Säter.

The present municipality was created in 1971 with the amalgamation of the former City of Säter and two neighbouring municipalities.

Geography
Säter is known for the Säter Valley. It is about 5 kilometers long and has a dense vegetation and steeps. On its bottom the Ljuster stream flows. The valley is popular for walking.

Localities
Population centers in Säter Municipality:
 * Mora
 * Naglarby och Enbacka
 * Säter (seat)
 * Skedvi kyrkby
 * Solvarbo

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Säter Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

Residents include everyone registered as living in the district, regardless of age or citizenship status. Valid voters indicate Swedish citizens above the age of 18 who therefore can vote in general elections. Left vote and right vote indicate the result between the two major blocs in said district in the 2022 general election. Employment indicates the share of people between the ages of 20 and 64 who are working taxpayers. Foreign background is defined as residents either born abroad or with two parents born outside of Sweden. Median income is the received monthly income through either employment, capital gains or social grants for the median adult above 20, also including pensioners in Swedish kronor. The section about college graduates indicates any degree accumulated after high school.

In total there were 11,232 residents, including 8,789 Swedish citizens of voting age. 46.3 % voted for the left coalition and 52.4 % for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Sights
The Old Church of Stora Skedvi is one of Dalarna's oldest, with its oldest parts from the 13th century.

There are several remains from the province's mining history, such as the Östra Silvberg's Mining Area with a silver mining history traced to the 1480s with an adjacent cemetery and chapel. It was closed in the 19th century and the mine itself is today a water filled hole.

Bispbergs gruva was used for mining iron for over 600 years, until it was closed in 1967.

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

title: Säter Municipality


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Vansbro Municipality

Vansbro Municipality (Vansbro kommun) is a municipality in Dalarna County in central Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Vansbro.

During the local government reform of 1971 Järna, Nås and Äppelbo were amalgamated to form the new Vansbro Municipality. The name was taken from the locality Vansbro, which also became the municipal seat.

The coat of arms show the sign of iron, an axe (symbolizing wood industries) and a sword.

Localities

 * Vansbro, pop. 2,100
 * Järna, pop. 1,500
 * Nås, pop. 465
 * Äppelbo, pop. 261

History
Many of the parishes and towns of today can be traced several centuries back. Around Järna has been found ovens from the Viking Age or older, showing that the town had been used in the processing of iron for a long time, and probably leading to its name (Järn means iron in Swedish).

Nås parish was mentioned in 1479, Järna parish in 1417, Äppelbo as Äppelboda parish 1417.

Äppelbo (literally "Apple Village") was in the 1690s the seat for the Västerdal regiment, Western Dalarnas regimente. Swedish warlike kings Charles XII and Gustaf IV Adolf made use of the men when they fought around in Europe.

Modern iron works were not established until the early 19th century, and had a short history that ended before the end of the century. The industry then became dominated by wood industry. Around the year 1900, three large saw mills were built in the town, making it prosper. With the railroad located through the town Vansbro in 1898, it further enhanced communications for industries.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Vansbro Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 6,766 inhabitants, including 5,305 Swedish citizens of voting age. 43.6 % voted for the left coalition and 54.9 % for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Sister cities
Its sister city is Velké Meziříčí, in the Czech Republic.

Notability
In Järna one of the distinct Dalacarlia dialects are spoken.

title: Vansbro Municipality


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Oakboro, North Carolina

Oakboro is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,859 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 sqmi, all land.

History
Oakboro developed because of a predecessor of the (first) Norfolk Southern Railway. The original town started at a natural salt lick called Big Lick. When the railroad passed through in 1913, the town moved closer to the railroad and became "Furr Town". In 1915, the name was changed to Oakboro.

The Oakboro Cotton Mill was a major employer in the 1940s and 1950s while cotton was still "king" of the South. Later, the mill moved across the railroad to form Stanly Knitting Mills.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,128 people, 766 households, and 551 families residing in the town.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 1,198 people, 485 households and 361 families residing in the town. The population density was 595.1 PD/sqmi. There were 535 housing units at an average density of 265.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 75.79% White, 19.70% African American, 0.67% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 2.25% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.42% of the population.

There were 485 households, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.86.

23.2% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.5 males.

The median household income was $41,369 and the median family income was $46,711. Males had a median income of $33,482 compared with $21,696 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,079. About 8.6% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

Culture
Today Oakboro is known for its annual Independence Day parade and for hosting a classic car cruise-in on the fourth Friday of every month.

Notable people

 * B. J. Hill, NFL player
 * Bruton Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports.

title: Oakboro, North Carolina


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Älvdalen Municipality

Älvdalen Municipality (Älvdalens kommun, Älvdaelien tjïelte, ) is a municipality in Dalarna County in central Sweden. Its seat is located in the town of Älvdalen.

The two parishes Särna and Idre were ceded to Sweden from Norway under the treaty of Brömsebro on 13 August 1645. In 1971 the three municipalities Särna, Idre (which itself had been split off from Särna in 1916) and Älvdalen were amalgamated to form the present municipality.

Älvdalen literally means River Valley, a name stemming from the area around the town Älvdalen, situated along the Österdal River, in the municipality's southern part.

The middle part of the coat of arms is meant to depict the landscape: streams and hills.

Geography
Geographically, it is considered divided into three parts. From north to south: the mountainous (fjäll) part, the forest part, and the valley (Älv) part.

North
The northern part is located within the Scandinavian mountain range. It has cultural influences from the native Sámi people.

Idre, with about 800 inhabitants is a notable skiing resort.

This part has some high mountains including Storvätteshågna at 1,204 meters and Städjan at 1,131 m. The Töfsingdalen National Park is also located in the northernmost parts.

The Northern part is the northernmost point of Svealand, one of the three crowns under the Swedish throne.

Central
The forest part has forests, with the national park Fulufjället also belonging to this part. Its influences come from it bordering to Norway, and its history has many examples and remains from its border conflicts. To symbolize this, the lower part of the coat of arms depict a crossbow. The point furthest away from any seas in Scandinavia is located here.

The town Särna is located along the Österdal River, with 930 inhabitants. Like Idre, its main industry is tourism. The town once belonged to Norway, but in 1644 it was occupied by 200 Swedish peasants, which in effect made it a Swedish town, although it was official granted first with new borders of 1751.

South
The southern area is populated by 5,000 persons, of whom most speak or understand the Elfdalian (or Övdalsk, Älvdalsmål) dialect/language, which is very different from standard Swedish.

This area may be said to have the most interesting culture, with the town Älvdalen and several notable villages such as Evertsberg, Blyberg, Klitten, Brunnsberg, Västermyckeläng and Åsen.

Localities
• Älvdalen

• Ärnäs

• Åsen

• Brunnsberg

• Evertsberg

• Idre

• Klitten

• Rot

• Särna

• Väsa

• Västermyckeläng

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Älvdalen Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 5,481 Swedish citizens of voting age resident in the municipality. 40.8 % voted for the left coalition and 56.4 % for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

title: Älvdalen Municipality


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Richfield, North Carolina

Richfield is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The town was originally called "Ritchie's Field," for the prominent Ritchie family who established the post office, sawmill, and streets of the settlement.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.1 sqmi, of which 2.1 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.95%) is water.

Richfield is located at the junction of US Route 52 and State Highway 49.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 582 people, 196 households, and 148 families residing in the town.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 515 people, 197 households and 144 families residing in the town. The population density was 247.0 PD/sqmi. There were 225 housing units at an average density of 107.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 81.94% White, 14.37% African American, 2.14% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.19% of the population.

There were 197 households, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.13.

27.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.2 males.

The median household income was $40,083 and the family median income was $41,442. Males had a median income of $26,420 compared with $23,542 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,334. About 4.7% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Richfield is governed by a mayor and town council system. Floyd Wilson was re-elected mayor on November 5, 2013, replacing Jim Misenheimer, long time mayor pro-tem Terry Deese became mayor June 2016 with the passing of Floyd Wilson. Former mayors include Terry Almond and Wade Barbee.

title: Richfield, North Carolina


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Stanfield, North Carolina

Stanfield is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,486 at the 2010 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.5 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,585 people, 503 households, and 400 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,113 people, 439 households, and 320 families residing in the town. The population density was 249.0 PD/sqmi. There were 459 housing units at an average density of 102.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.47% White, 0.18% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.90% from other races, and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 439 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.8% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $45,250, and the median income for a family was $52,813. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $25,521 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,666. About 5.9% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

History
In 1912 the railroad line between Charlotte and Raleigh was completed, and the town of Stanfield was established. The town was named after an engineer who helped complete the railroad through the present day town. Once the rail line was completed, the mail was delivered by train to Stanfield, thus moving the post office from Locust to Stanfield. Three local area schools were combined to create Stanfield School. Pete Henkel Park was created in the 1970s. Today, Stanfield School is now Stanfield Elementary School that runs pre-k through the 5th grade, and the students then go to West Stanly High School in Red Cross, Stanly Early College in Albemarle or to Gray Stone Day School in Misenheimer.

title: Stanfield, North Carolina


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County Down

County Down is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, one of the nine counties of Ulster and one of the traditional thirty-two counties of Ireland. It covers an area of 961 mi2 and has a population of 552,261. It borders County Antrim to the north, the Irish Sea to the east, County Armagh to the west, and County Louth across Carlingford Lough to the southwest.

In the east of the county is Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. The largest settlement is Bangor, a city on the northeast coast. Three other large towns and cities are on its border: Newry lies on the western border with County Armagh, while Lisburn and Belfast lie on the northern border with County Antrim. Down contains both the southernmost point of Northern Ireland (Cranfield Point) and the easternmost point of Ireland (Burr Point).

It was one of two counties of Northern Ireland to have a Protestant majority at the time of the 2001 census. The other Protestant-majority County was County Antrim to the north. However, as of the 2021 Census, it is now the only county in which there is a Protestant background majority, as Antrim has Protestant background plurality. In the 2021 census, Ards and North Down had the highest number of "No Religion" responses (30.6%) for Northern Ireland.

In March 2018, The Sunday Times published its list of Best Places to Live in Britain, including five in Northern Ireland. The list included three in County Down: Holywood, Newcastle, and Strangford.

The county has two cities: Newry and Bangor. The latter is the more recent, gaining city status on 2 December 2022.

Toponymy
County Down takes its name from dún, the Irish word for dun or fort, which is a common root in Gaelic place names (such as Dundee, Dunfermline and Dumbarton in Scotland and Donegal and Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland). The fort in question was in the historic town of Downpatrick, originally known as Dún Lethglaise ("fort of the green side" or "fort of the two broken fetters").

History
During the 2nd century the region was home to the Voluntii tribe, according to Ptolemy. From the 400s–1177 County Down formed a central part of the kingdom of Ulaid. Ulaid was a frequent target of Viking raids in the eighth and ninth centuries, however fierce local resistance prevented the Norse from setting up permanent settlements in the region. In 1001 a fleet led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard raided much of the region in retribution for the Ulaiden's refusal to offer him sanctuary from Brian Boru the previous year.

The region was invaded by the Normans in 1177. From the 1180s–1600s the region saw waves of English and Scottish immigration. In 1569 the Irish Parliament passed "An Act for turning of Countries that be not yet Shire Grounds into Shire Grounds". In 1570 a commission was issued in pursuance of that statute "to survey and make enquiry in the countries and territories ... that are not shire ground, or are doubtful to what shire they belong; to limit and nominate them a shire or county; to divide them into countries, baronies or hundreds, or to join them to any existing shire or barony" "for the countries or territories of Arde, as well this side Blackstafe as the other side, Copelande islands, the Dufferin, Clandeboy, Kilultoghe, the Glynes with the Raughlines, Momerie and Carie, the Rowte M'William (McQuillan) and all lands between lough Coine and lough Eaghe, and the water of Strangforde and the Banne. To certify their proceedings before the 1st August." The county was privately planted during the Plantation period (16th–17th centuries). During the Williamite War in Ireland (1689–1691) the county was a centre of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic James II. After forming a scratch force the Protestants were defeated by the Irish Army at the Break of Dromore and forced to retreat, leading to the whole of Down falling under Jacobite control. Later the same year Marshal Schomberg's large Williamite expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying siege to Carrickfergus, Schomberg marched south to Dundalk Camp, clearing County Down and much of the rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops.

Geography
Down contains two significant peninsulas: Ards Peninsula and Lecale peninsula.

The county has a coastline along Belfast Lough to the north and Carlingford Lough to the south (both of which have access to the sea). Strangford Lough lies between the Ards Peninsula and the mainland. Down also contains part of the shore of Lough Neagh. Smaller loughs include Lough Island Reavy and Castlewellan Lake near Castlewellan, Clea Lough near Killyleagh, Lough Money and Loughinisland near Downpatrick and, within the Mourne Mountains, Silent Valley Reservoir, Ben Crom Reservoir, Spelga Dam and Lough Shannagh.

The River Lagan forms most of the border with County Antrim. The River Bann also flows through the southwestern areas of the county. Other rivers include the Clanrye and Quoile.

There are several islands off the Down coast: Mew Island, Light House Island and the Copeland Islands, all of which lie to the north of the Ards Peninsula. Gunn Island lies off the Lecale coast. In addition, there are at least seventy islands (several inhabited) along with many islets – or pladdies – in Strangford Lough, although folk tradition says there are 365 islands in Strangford Lough, one for every day of the year.

County Down is where, in the words of the song by Percy French, "The mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea", and the area around the granite Mourne Mountains continues to be known for its scenery. Slieve Donard, at 849 m, is the highest peak in the Mournes, in Northern Ireland and in the province of Ulster. Another important peak is Slieve Croob, at 534 m, the source of the River Lagan.

Places of interest

 * Saint Patrick is reputed to be buried at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, reputedly alongside St. Brigid and St. Columcille.
 * Saul, County Down (from the Irish: Sabhall meaning "Barn") – where Saint Patrick said his first eucharist in Ireland
 * The city of Newry in the south of the county contains St Patrick's (Church of Ireland, 1578), overlooking the city centre from Church street, on the east side of the city, which is considered to be Ireland's first ever Protestant church. The Newry Canal is also the first summit-level canal ever to be built in the British Isles.
 * Castlewellan Forest Park.
 * Cloughmore (The Big Stone), a 30-ton Granite boulder lies on the Slieve Martin Mountain Ridge approximately 1000 ft. above Rostrevor village in Kilbroney Park.
 * Down is also home to Exploris, the Northern Ireland Aquarium, located in Portaferry, on the shores of Strangford Lough, on the Ards Peninsula.
 * The Old Inn in Crawfordsburn is one of Ireland's oldest hostelries, with records dating back to 1614. It is predated however by Donaghadee's Grace Neill's which was opened in 1611. The Old inn claims that people who have stayed there include Jonathan Swift, Dick Turpin, Peter the Great, Lord Tennyson, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, former US president George H. W. Bush, and C. S. Lewis, who honeymooned there.
 * Tollymore Forest Park between Castlewellan and Newcastle.
 * Scrabo Tower, in Newtownards, was built as a memorial to Charles Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.
 * An area of County Down is known as the Brontë Homeland (situated between Rathfriland and Banbridge, where Patrick Brontë had his church.) Patrick Brontë (originally Brunty), father of Anne, Charlotte, Emily and Branwell, was born in this region.

Subdivisions
Baronies

 * Ards Lower (from the Aird)
 * Ards Upper
 * Castlereagh Lower
 * Castlereagh Upper
 * Dufferin (from the Duifrian)
 * Iveagh Lower, Lower Half (from the Uíbh Eachach)
 * Iveagh Lower, Upper Half
 * Iveagh Upper, Lower Half
 * Iveagh Upper, Upper Half
 * Kinelarty (from the Cineál Fhártaigh)
 * Lecale Lower (from the Leath Cathail)
 * Lecale Upper
 * Lordship of Newry
 * Mourne (from the Múrna)

Parishes

Townlands

Cities
(population of 75,000 or more at 2001 Census)
 * Belfast – the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim

Large towns
(population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)

 * Bangor (officially a city)
 * Dundonald
 * Lisburn – the eastern suburbs of the city lie partly in County Down but mainly in County Antrim (officially a city)
 * Newry – in counties Armagh and Down, divided by the Clanrye River (officially a city)
 * Newtownards

Medium towns
(Population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census) Banbridge

Downpatrick

Holywood

Carryduff

Small towns
(Population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)
 * Ballynahinch

Comber

Donaghadee

Dromore

Kilkeel

Newcastle

Saintfield

Warrenpoint

Intermediate settlements
(Population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census) Ballygowan

Castlewellan

Hillsborough

Killyleagh

Moira

Portaferry

Rostrevor

Saintfield

Waringstown

Villages
(Population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)
 * Annahilt

Annalong

Ardglass

Ballywalter

Crossgar

Drumaness

Drumbeg

Dundrum

Gilford

Greyabbey

Helen's Bay

Kilcoo

Kircubbin

Magheralin

Millisle

Moneyreagh

Portavogie

Rathfriland

Small villages or hamlets
(Population of less than 1,000 at 2001 Census) Atticall

Annsborough

Ballela

Ballyhalbert

Ballyhornan

Ballykinler

Ballymartin

Bryansford

Burren

Cabra, County Down

Carrowdore

Clough

Cloughey

Crawfordsburn

Donaghcloney

Dromara

Gilnahirk

Groomsport

Hilltown

Killinchy

Killough

Lawrencetown

Leitrim

Listooder

Longstone

Loughbrickland

Loughinisland

Mayobridge

Saul

Scarva

Seaforde

Sheeptown

Strangford

Toye

Demography
As of the 2021 census, County Down had a population of 552,261, making it the second most populous county in Northern Ireland.

Administration
The county was administered by Down County Council from 1899 until the abolition of county councils in Northern Ireland in 1973. County Down is now served by the following local government districts:
 * Ards and North Down
 * Newry, Mourne and Down (also serves part of County Armagh)
 * Lisburn and Castlereagh (also serves part of County Antrim)
 * Belfast (also serves part of County Antrim)
 * Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (also serves parts of County Armagh and County Antrim)

Railways

Former railways within the county include the Great Northern Railway of Ireland and Belfast and County Down Railway both of which were formed in the 19th century and were closed (or amalgamated) in the 1950s. The Downpatrick and County Down Railway operates a short section of the former Belfast and County Down line as a heritage railway between Downpatrick and Inch Abbey.

Northern Ireland Railways operates the area's modern rail network.

Association football
In association football, the NIFL Premiership, which operates as the top division, has three teams in the county: Newry City F. C., Ards F.C. and Warrenpoint Town F.C., with Banbridge Town F.C., Bangor F.C. and Lisburn Distillery F.C. competing in the NIFL Championship, which operates as levels two and three.

Gaelic games
The Down County Board administers Gaelic games in the county. Down is the most successful team north of the border in terms of All-Ireland Senior Football Championships won with five (1960, 1961, 1968, 1991 and 1994) in total. In terms of Ulster, they share that accolade with Cavan who also have 5 titles. They currently have four minor All-Ireland titles, twelve Ulster titles and one under 21 all Ireland title (1979). The Ards peninsula is a hurling stronghold.

Golf
County Down is also home to the No.1-ranked golf course, Royal County Down Golf Club, in not just Ireland, but the entire Great Britain, according to Today's Golfer.

Former No.1 golfer in the world, Rory McIlroy, originates from Holywood, which is situated in the north of the county.

In popular culture
"Star of the County Down" is a popular Irish ballad.

The county is named in the lyrics of the song "Around the World", from the film Around the World in 80 Days, which was an American top ten hit for Bing Crosby and UK top ten hit for Ronnie Hilton, both in 1957, although it was Mantovani's instrumental version which was actually used in the film. Rihanna's video "We Found Love" was filmed there in 2011, causing complaints when the singer removed her clothes to reveal a bikini.

The Ulster singer Van Morrison has made reference to the County Down in the lyrics to several songs including "Northern Muse (Solid Ground)", "Mystic of the East" and the nostalgic "Coney Island", which names several places and landmarks in the county. Van Morrison also covered "Star of the County Down" with the Chieftains as a part of their collaboration album Irish Heartbeat.

C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, was inspired by the Mourne Mountains. There is a Narnia trail in Kilbroney Park, in Rostrevor.

Sam Hanna Bell based his novel of Ulster rural life, December Bride (1951) in the Ards peninsula. A film version of the novel, also called December Bride, was produced in 1990 and released in November 1991.

Several areas of County Down served as filming locations for the HBO series Game of Thrones including Castle Ward (Winterfell), Inch Abby (Riverlands), and Tollymore Forest Park.

The Academy Award-winning short film The Shore (2011) was filmed in and around Killough bay by director/writer Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh. The film starred Ciaran Hynds, Kerry Condon and Connleth Hill.

Notable people

 * George Best, Northern Ireland footballer
 * Ash, rock band, from Downpatrick
 * Paddy Ashdown, former Liberal Democrats (UK) leader, brought up near Comber
 * Joseph Barcroft, scientist, Newry
 * Colin Blakely, actor, Bangor
 * Christine Bleakley, TV Presenter was born in Newry and lived in Newtownards
 * Patrick Brontë, father of the authors Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë, Rathfriland
 * Comgall, saint and founder of the great monastery at Bangor
 * Stephen Craigan, Motherwell and Northern Ireland defender, from Newtownards
 * Jamie Dornan, actor in 50 Shades of Grey is from Holywood
 * Garth Ennis, comic books author of Preacher and The Boys, brought up in Holywood
 * Harry Ferguson, inventor of modern tractor, Dromore
 * Brian Faulkner, Baron Faulkner of Downpatrick, last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Helen's Bay
 * Patricia Ford, first female MP from Northern Ireland, Donaghadee
 * Charlie Gallogly, Irish professional footballer for Huddersfield Town, Watford and Bournemouth.
 * Keith Gillespie, former Manchester United & Newcastle professional footballer grew up in Bangor
 * Craig Gilroy, Ulster Rugby winger, raised in Bangor
 * Betsy Gray, heroine of the 1798 rebellion, Gransha, Bangor
 * Bear Grylls, Chief Scout and TV personality, was raised in Donaghadee
 * Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, Governor-General of Canada, Viceroy of India, Clandeboye Estate
 * Henry Harrison, Parnellite Member of Parliament, Holywood
 * Sarah Cecilia Harrison, artist and first woman councillor to serve on Dublin Corporation, Holywood
 * David Healy, Northern Ireland record goalscorer from Killyleagh
 * Eddie Irvine, racing driver, Newtownards
 * E. Neville Isdell, former chair and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Downpatrick
 * Pat Jennings, former NI goalkeeper, is from Newry
 * Patrick Kielty, comedian and television presenter, Dundrum
 * Gary Lightbody, lead singer of Snow Patrol, Bangor
 * Kathleen Isabella Mackie (1899– 1996) painter and glider pilot
 * Elizabeth McLaughlin (sculptor)
 * Josh Magennis, Professional footballer currently for Bolton Wanderers F.C. from Bangor
 * James Martin, inventor of the ejector seat, from Crossgar
 * Robert Blair Mayne, lieutenant colonel and commanding officer of the 1st SAS Regiment, Newtownards
 * Aodh MacCathmhaoil, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, Saul, County Down
 * Rhys McClenaghan – International gymnast from Newtownards
 * Edward McGarry, Wisconsin politician
 * Rory McIlroy, major champion golfer, from Holywood
 * Deirdre McKay, composer
 * F.E. McWilliam, sculptor, Banbridge
 * Colin Middleton, Irish artist and surrealist, lived in Bangor
 * John Mitchel, Irish nationalist, Young Ireland movement, Newry
 * Colin Murray, sports TV Presenter, is from Dundonald
 * Richard Murray, Provost of Trinity College Dublin 1795–1799, born in County Down
 * Kristian Nairn, portrayed Hodor in Game of Thrones is from Lisburn
 * Lembit Öpik, former Liberal Democrat MP and Shadow Welsh and Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Bangor
 * Paul Rankin, TV chef, grew up in Ballywalter, Ards Peninsula
 * Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Governor-General of India, 1813 – 1823, Moira
 * Margaret Ritchie, Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, former leader of Social Democratic and Labour Party and MP, Downpatrick
 * Charles Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen, first Roman Catholic Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Newry
 * Zöe Salmon, TV presenter and Miss UK contestant is from Bangor
 * Neil Shawcross, artist, lives in Hillsborough
 * Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum, Killyleagh
 * Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, British Foreign Secretary and diplomat at Congress of Vienna, brought up in family seat Mount Stewart
 * David Trimble, Baron Trimble, former First Minister of Northern Ireland, former Ulster Unionist Party leader, Bangor
 * Foy Vance, singer-songwriter, Bangor
 * Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, 7th Marquess of Londonderry, Secretary of State for Air, Leader of the House of Lords, Mount Stewart
 * Martin Waddell, author of children's books, lives in Newcastle, County Down
 * Paddy Wallace, rugby union footballer for Ulster and Ireland, Dundonald
 * Thomas L. Young, U.S. politician, 33rd Governor of the State of Ohio, Killyleagh

title: County Down


text:
Danbury, North Carolina

Danbury is a city located in Danbury Township, Stokes County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 142. It is the county seat of Stokes County. Danbury is located on North Carolina Highway 8/89 approximately 20 mi north of Winston-Salem and is the "Gateway to Hanging Rock". The Stokes County Government Center, Arts Council, school board, county jail, a public library, a post office, and other public services are found within the town limits. LifeBrite Community Hospital of Stokes is located about a half mile northwest of the town. North Stokes High School, a big part of town, is located 7.4 miles to the northwest (North NC Highway 89 to Piney Grove Church Road, then left onto North Stokes School Road).

Danbury is a popular rest stop for bicyclists, motorcyclists, and driving enthusiasts due to the numerous scenic roads in Stokes County. Danbury also attracts outdoor enthusiasts because of its location on the Dan River and near the entrance to Hanging Rock State Park.

There are no regional or national franchises in Danbury, only local shops like the Danbury General Store, and small restaurants. J.E.Priddy's General Store, a local historic landmark dating from the late 19th century, is still in business selling goods old and new. It is located about 2 mi east of town on Sheppard Mill Rd.

History
Danbury was founded in 1851 specifically to serve as the new centrally-located county seat after Stokes County was divided in 1849, creating Forsyth County to the south (with the new county seat of Winston, later Winston-Salem) and a smaller Stokes County. Danbury was briefly known as Crawford.

No battles occurred in Danbury during the Civil War, but it housed and supported the war efforts of the Confederate Army. The Moratock Iron Furnace, which is still found in Moratock Park, was used in the smelting of iron ore. General George Stoneman's raid passed through Danbury on April 9, 1865, the day of the surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox Court House, Va. Other historical features in the town include the Wilson Fulton House, the Old Stokes County Court House, and Moody's Tavern (later McCanless Hotel).

In addition to the Moratock Iron Furnace, the Danbury Historic District, Hanging Rock State Park Bathhouse, and Stokes County Courthouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 189 people, 47 households, and 32 families residing in the city. The population density was 170.7 PD/sqmi. There were 53 housing units at an average density of 83.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.37% White, 2.78% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 47 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the town the population was spread out, with 22.2% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $44,688. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $25,938 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,053. 11.2% of the population and 9.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.3% of those under the age of 18 and 26.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Notable people

 * J. P. Carter, politician (died in Danbury)
 * Carl Ray, baseball player.

title: Danbury, North Carolina


text:
Walnut Cove, North Carolina

Walnut Cove is a town in Stokes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,536 at the 2020 census.

It is the home of the Walnut Cove Springfest, which draws many visitors to the area. Festival-organizers marked 1889, the town's incorporation date, but the town's roots date to the mid-18th century when it was known as Town Fork. Town Fork settlers formed a bond with Moravians in Bethania and Bethabara. Eventually, William Lash, a Moravian settler at Bethania, bought land along the Town Fork Creek, which later developed into a large plantation named Walnut Cove. The Town was a railroad center in its former years, and today remnants of the old Train Depot still stand on Depot Street.

It is also home to historic Covington House (built in 1821), Fulp-Marshall Home (built in 1836), Culler Roller Mill now known as Monitor Roller Mill (built in 1900).

Walnut Cove is also home to South Stokes High School, a big part of the town is located to the west of town, near NC 8 and Hawkins Road. Belews Lake and Hanging Rock State Park are located nearby. Winston-Salem is 23 miles to the southeast via US 311, US 158 and Salem Parkway (US 421). Danbury is 10 miles to the north via NC 89. Germanton is 6.6 miles to the west-southwest via NC 65. Madison and Mayodan are 14 miles to the northeast via US 311. Other nearby cities include Kernersville, Walkertown, Rural Hall, Stokesdale, and the small community of Pine Hall.

History
The Christ Episcopal Church and Walnut Cove Colored School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Burt Myers, a race car driver for NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, is from Walnut Cove.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km$2$), all of it land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,586 people, 802 households, and 493 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,465 people, 585 households, and 374 families residing in the town. The population density was 608.5 PD/sqmi. There were 636 housing units at an average density of 264.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 79.39% White, 19.11% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 585 households, out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% 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 2.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,944, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $31,953 versus $24,871 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,117. About 8.3% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Walnut Cove, North Carolina


text:
Dobson, North Carolina

Dobson is a town in Dobson Township, Surry County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 1,396. It is the county seat of Surry County. Dobson is the home of the Shelton Vineyards, the largest winery in North Carolina. It is also home to a significant Latino population due to the large number of farms in the area. The main crops in the area are corn, tobacco and soy beans.

History
Dobson was established as the county seat in 1853, replacing Rockford after all land in Surry County south of the Yadkin River was used to form Yadkin County.

The Edwards-Franklin House and Surry County Courthouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.8 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,462 people, 657 households, and 327 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,457 people, 555 households, and 339 families living in the town. The population density was 813.8 PD/sqmi. There were 594 housing units at an average density of 331.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 75.84% White, 3.91% African American, 0.41% Native American, 19.42% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.81% of the population.

There were 555 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,765, and the median income for a family was $34,792. Males had a median income of $22,050 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,346. About 17.8% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 22.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Caleb V. Haynes, United States Air Force major general, air pioneer
 * Tabitha Ann Holton, became the first licensed female lawyer in the Southern United States in 1878. She practiced law in Dobson from 1878 to 1886.
 * Roy H. Park, broadcaster and publisher

title: Dobson, North Carolina


text:
Flat Rock, Surry County, North Carolina

Flat Rock is a census-designated place (CDP) in Surry County, North Carolina, United States. The name "Flat Rock" stems from the community's granite quarry. The granite quarry is the largest open-face granite quarry in the world, and has been mined continuously since 1889 by the North Carolina Granite Corporation.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.6 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,690 people, 696 households, and 476 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 639.5 PD/sqmi. There were 754 housing units at an average density of 285.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 86.57% White, 8.82% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 3.20% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.50% of the population.

There were 696 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% 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 2.99.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,733, and the median income for a family was $34,583. Males had a median income of $24,400 versus $17,750 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $12,495. About 7.8% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Flat Rock, Surry County, North Carolina


text:
Mount Airy, North Carolina

Mount Airy is a city within Surry County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 10,676, an increase of 288 (+2.8%) from the 2010 census count of 10,388. As of 2020, the city was one of the most populous municipalities in Surry County. Mount Airy is located within the Piedmont Triad metropolitan region.

History
The region currently known as Mount Airy, North Carolina, was originally settled in the 1750s by predominantly English, Scotch-Irish, and German settlers. The native Cheraw people were known to inhabit the area prior to the arrival of these European settlers. As westward expansion progressed following the French and Indian War, Mount Airy started to develop, serving as a stagecoach stop on the road connecting Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Galax, Virginia. The city derived its name from a plantation in the vicinity.

Officially incorporated in 1885, Mount Airy quickly thrived due to the region's abundant natural resources, specifically granite and tobacco. This led to the establishment of the North Carolina Granite Corporation, the world's largest open-face granite quarry. The locally quarried granite has been used in famous structures, including the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Mount Airy became a significant hub for the textile and furniture manufacturing industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Companies such as Spencer's Incorporated and Renfro Corporation established mills in the city. However, the latter half of the 20th century brought economic challenges due to increased global competition and industry automation.

In 1977, Mount Airy established its official seal, representing the industries vital to its local economy: furniture manufacturing, textiles, tobacco, and granite quarrying.

Gaining fame as the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and the believed inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry in the "Andy Griffith Show," Mount Airy capitalized on its connection with the series. It established annual events like Mayberry Days and tourist attractions such as Floyd's Barber Shop and the Andy Griffith Museum.

In recognition of its vibrant community life and civic achievements, Mount Airy was named an All American City in 1994.

The W. F. Carter House, William Carter House, Edgar Harvey Hennis House, William Alfred Moore House, Mount Airy Historic District, North Carolina Granite Corporation Quarry Complex, Renfro Mill, and Trinity Episcopal Church are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Mount Airy is located along the Ararat River, about 3 mi south of the Virginia state line. The United States Census Bureau states the city has a total area of 8.4 sqmi, all land. The city is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 14 mi from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and the hardiness zone is 7a.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,676 people, 4,571 households, and 2,530 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,388 people in 4,934 households. The people per square mile was 891.4. There were 5,296 housing units. The Population percent change from 2000 to 2010 was 22.4% up. The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White descent, 8.2% African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 2.2% Persons reporting two or more races, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino. Persons per household was 2.10. Average household income was $35,428. Persons below poverty level was 21.1%. High school graduates were 76.9% and bachelor's degree or higher was 25.9%.

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,484 people, 3,667 households, and 2,130 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,010.8 PD/sqmi. There were 4,129 housing units at an average density of 491.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 85.34% White descent, 7.99% African American, 0.35% Native American, 2.55% Asian American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.87% of the population.

There were 3,667 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,910, and the median income for a family was $33,412. Males had a median income of $27,299 versus $24,830 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,237. About 17.4% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.

Mayberry
Actor Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, and the town is considered to have been the basis for Mayberry, the setting of the TV shows The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D. The community holds an annual "Mayberry Days" celebration during the last weekend of September; 30,000 attended in 2009, and 90,000 attended for the show's 50th anniversary in 2010. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro estimates the town receives $5 million each year as a result. Surviving members of the cast, along with family members of other cast members, often visit. The 2024 event is slated to have a special appearance by Karen Knotts, Don's daughter.

Several Ford Galaxie police cars, painted to resemble those used on the show, give rides to guests. A barber shop has been named "Floyd's."

The Andy Griffith Museum, founded in 2009 by Emmett Forrest, attracts 200 visitors a day. The 2,500-square-feet museum, located half a mile from Griffith's childhood home, houses the world's largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia.

Mayberry Days will continue on September 23-29, 2024.

Autumn Leaves Festival
Held the second weekend in October, the Autumn Leaves Festival attracts over 200,000 people to the city during the festival weekend. Vendors sell food and other items, and there is a stage for musicians.

Bluegrass and old-time music
The home of old-time music legend Tommy Jarrell, bluegrass gospel legends The Easter Brothers, country singer Donna Fargo, Mount Airy has a long history with regional music. Mount Airy's WPAQ is one of the few Bluegrass and Old-Time music stations still operating and has been airing the live radio show Merry-Go-Round from the Downtown Cinema Theatre since 1948. Weekly bluegrass jam sessions at The Andy Griffith Playhouse and the annual Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention also serve to attract old-time musicians from across the region and the world. The Fiddlers Convention first began in 1972, and is held the first weekend in June at Veterans Memorial Park. The Blue Ridge Music Center with its amphitheater and music museum of old-time music is just a few miles away on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 213, near Galax, Virginia. This area is home to the Round Peak style of old-time music, which started in the Round Peak community, just west of Mount Airy.

Education
Mount Airy has a city-funded school district consisting of four schools.

Mount Airy City Schools

 * Mount Airy High School
 * Mount Airy Middle School
 * Jones Intermediate School
 * BH Tharrington Elementary School

Surry County Schools
There are also other schools in Mount Airy that are controlled by the Surry County Schools district.

 * North Surry High School
 * Gentry Middle School
 * Meadowview Magnet Middle School
 * Cedar Ridge Elementary School
 * Flat Rock Elementary School
 * Franklin Elementary School
 * White Plains Elementary School

Charter schools
Mount Airy has one k-12 public-funded charter school, Millennium Charter Academy.

Private schools

 * White Plains Christian School

Libraries
The Mt. Airy community is also served by a Public Library that won library won the American Institute of Architects Design Award.

Notable people

 * Frank Beamer (born 1946), retired head football coach at Virginia Tech, born in Mount Airy and raised in Fancy Gap, Virginia
 * Ron Blackburn (1935–1998), MLB player
 * Chang and Eng Bunker (1811–1874), famous "Siamese Twins" conjoined twins who settled in Mount Airy after they retired from show business
 * Ben Callahan (1957–2007), MLB player
 * Bill Cox (1929–2017), NFL defensive player
 * Chubby Dean (1916–1970), MLB player
 * Donna Fargo (born 1945), country music singer and songwriter, best known for the song "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA"
 * Benton Flippen (1920–2011), old-time fiddler, banjo player, and guitarist
 * Emmett Forrest (1927–2013), founder of the Andy Griffith Museum
 * Maddie Gardner, (born 1993), local news reporter and internationally recognized cheerleader
 * Andy Griffith (1926–2012), American actor
 * Bill Hayes, television producer
 * Caleb V. Haynes (1895–1966), United States Air Force major general
 * Jerry Hemmings (born 1948), basketball coach
 * Tommy Jarrell (1901–1985), old-time fiddler, banjo player, and singer
 * Luke Lambert, NASCAR crew chief
 * Betty Lynn (1926–2021), actress
 * Mark Daniel Merritt (born 1961), American music composer
 * Alex Sink (born 1948), former chief financial officer of Florida, Democratic nominee for governor of Florida in 2010
 * Anna Wood (born 1985), actress

Sister city
Mount Airy has one sister city:
 * 🇹🇭 Samut Songkhram, Thailand

title: Mount Airy, North Carolina


text:
Avesta Municipality

Avesta Municipality (Avesta kommun) is one of 290 municipalities of Sweden. It is in Dalarna County, in the central part of the country, and its seat is in the town of Avesta.

The municipality in its present size was created in 1967 when the four surrounding municipalities were joined with the then City of Avesta. In 1971 it became a municipality of unitary type.

Geography
Avesta borders to the municipalities of:
 * Hedemora in Dalarna,
 * Hofors and Sandviken in Gävleborg County,
 * Norberg and Sala in Västmanland County

Localities

 * Avesta (the seat)
 * Krylbo (part of the seat Avesta.)
 * Horndal
 * Fors

Sports
Speedway: The most successful sport team in Avesta is their speedway team Masarna, translating to "the men of Dalecarlia", competing in the highest division in Sweden.

Football: Avesta AIK, Krylbo IF

Ladies' handball: Avesta Brovallen HF

Ice hockey: Avesta BK

Notability
From 1644 to 1776, Avesta was the largest part of the Swedish Mint, manufacturing mainly copper plate money. The world's largest – a 10 daler plate – is exhibited in the Avesta Myntmuseum, and weighs 19.4 kg.

In Stubbsveden, just west of the town Avesta, is a wildlife park for European bison (wisent). Guided tours are conducted around and in between the confinements in the summer season. Occasionally, individuals from this and other Swedish animal parks are relocated to the reserve herds in Poland and Romania to widen their DNA pool.

The city's largest industry is its steel mill, today owned by the Finnish company Outokumpu Oyj. Iron production started here in the 16th century, was industrialized in the 17th, but was surpassed by the copper-plate-producing Swedish Mint factory from 1644. However, production was maintained during the centuries, and in 1823 a forge was added. In 1924, production of stainless, acid-proof, and fire-resistive steels was initiated. In the 1960s, these were still the main products, but twenty years later, the cold- and hot-rolled stainless qualities dominated. In 1991, British Steel Stainless merged with the Avesta firm, and in 2001 Outokumpu took over the majority of the ownership.

The largest Dalecarlian horse (Dalahäst) in the world is located in Avesta. It is 13 m tall and weighs 67 tons.

Notable natives

 * Mats Åhlberg, ice hockey player, born 1947 in Avesta.
 * Pär Aron Borg (1776–1839), pedagogue for the blind and deaf, born in Avesta.
 * Mattias Ekström, racing driver, born 1978 in Falun, raised in Snickarbo, Avesta municipality.
 * Calle Jularbo, Karl Oskar Jularbo (1893–1966) born Karlsson. Accordionist and composer, raised in Östanbyn, Avesta.
 * Lina Hurtig (born 1995), football player for Sweden.
 * Erik Axel Karlfeldt (1864–1931), poet, author, and Nobel laureate. Born in Karlbo, Avesta.
 * Marcus Kock (1585–1657), mintmaster, born in Liège, Belgium, active in Avesta from 1626.
 * Nicklas Lidström, ice hockey player (NHL), born in Krylbo, Avesta municipality.
 * Carl Martin Norberg, gymnast and Olympic gold medalist, born 1886 in Avesta.
 * Maja Nylén Persson, ice hockey player (SDHL), born in 2000 in Avesta.
 * Tony Rickardsson, rally driver, and former speedway driver (six times a World Champion). Born 1970 in Avesta.
 * Ola Salo, born as Rolf Ola Anders Svensson. Singer and composer, born 1977 in Avesta. Founding member of The Ark.
 * Lars-Inge Svartenbrandt, criminal.
 * Scar Symmetry, metal band.
 * Dan Söderström, ice hockey player, born 1948 in Horndal, Avesta municipality.
 * Jesper "JW" Wecksell, professional CS:GO player, playing for Fnatic.
 * Tommy Vestlund, ice hockey player for the Carolina Hurricanes, born 1974 in Fors, Avesta municipality.

Demographics
This is a demographic table based on Avesta Municipality's electoral districts in the 2022 Swedish general election sourced from SVT's election platform, in turn taken from SCB official statistics.

In total there were 22,893 inhabitants, including 17,253 Swedish citizens of voting age. 47.4 % voted for the left coalition and 51.2 % for the right coalition. Indicators are in percentage points except population totals and income.

Riksdag
This table lists the national results at Avesta's municipal level since the 1972 Swedish municipality reform. The results of the Sweden Democrats from 1988 to 1998 were not published by the SCB at a municipal level due to the party's small size nationally at the time.

title: Avesta Municipality


text:
Pilot Mountain, North Carolina

Pilot Mountain is a town in Surry County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,443 at the 2020 census. It is named for the nearby landmark of Pilot Mountain, a distinctive geological formation.

History
The Bank of Pilot Mountain was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.7 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,440 people, 715 households, and 455 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,281 people, 585 households, and 363 families residing in the town. The population density was 742.3 PD/sqmi. There were 644 housing units at an average density of 373.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 87.82% White, 9.29% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 585 households, out of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% 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 2.81.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.7% 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 79.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,529, and the median income for a family was $42,279. Males had a median income of $31,522 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,526. About 11.9% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 17.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Pilot Mountain, North Carolina


text:
Toast, North Carolina

Toast is a census-designated place (CDP) in Surry County, North Carolina, United States, just west of Mount Airy. The population was 1,922 at the 2000 census.

A post office called Toast has been in operation since 1929. The name "Toast" was supplied by the Post Office Department. E. P. McLeod, the school principal, supposedly came up with the name while buying groceries at Hutchens Store one evening in 1927.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,922 people, 821 households, and 542 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,080.3 PD/sqmi. There were 886 housing units at an average density of 498.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 83.04% White, 12.96% African American, 1.66% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.69% of the population.

There were 821 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $28,000, and the median income for a family was $32,472. Males had a median income of $23,145 versus $19,145 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $14,890. About 11.1% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 19.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person
Among the most notable residents of Toast was Tommy Jarrell (1901–1985), the renowned old-time fiddler, banjo player, and singer. Jarrell typified the traditional Appalachian music style of the Mount Airy/Galax region and received the NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1982.

title: Toast, North Carolina


text:
White Plains, North Carolina

White Plains is a census-designated place (CDP) in Surry County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,049 at the 2000 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.1 sqmi, all of it land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,049 people, 459 households, and 322 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 257.4 PD/sqmi. There were 506 housing units at an average density of 124.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.28% White, 0.29% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.95% of the population.

There were 459 households, out of which 28.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.5% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,079, and the median income for a family was $54,500. Males had a median income of $30,852 versus $25,100 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,284. About 1.9% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 27.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Eng and Chang Bunker, the original Siamese Twins, lived in Mt Airy and are buried there at White Plains Baptist Church cemetery.

title: White Plains, North Carolina


text:
Bryson City, North Carolina

Bryson City is a town in and the county seat of Swain County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,558 as of the 2020 census. Located in what was historically the land of the Cherokee, Bryson City was founded as Charleston to serve as the county seat of Swain County when it was formed from parts of surrounding counties. It grew into an important local rail hub. Today the city serves as a popular tourist destination, lying just to the west of the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, for outdoor activities in the Nantahala National Forest, and along the Nantahala River and Fontana Lake, and serves as the home of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, a heritage railroad that provides tours of the Nantahala valley. The popular Nantahala Outdoor Center provides guide services for many of the outdoor activities in the area.

Indigenous settlements
Indigenous cultures of Native Americans have been living and hunting along the Tuckasegee River in the vicinity of what is now Bryson City for nearly 14,000 years. The village of Kituwa, which the Cherokee believed to be their oldest village and "mother town", was located along the Tuckasegee River. The ancient mound and village site is now controlled again by the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is preserved as a sacred site. (Bryson City developed downstream from this site.)

In 1567, an orata (minor chief) from Kituwa is believed to have met with Spanish explorer Juan Pardo in the French Broad Valley to the north. During the American Revolutionary War, many Cherokee allied with the British, hoping to expel European Americans from their territory. American soldiers burned and destroyed the town of Kituwa in 1776, but the Cherokee continued to hold annual ceremonial dances at the site throughout the 19th century.

Around 1818, a Cherokee chief known as Big Bear received a 640 acre reservation of land immediately west of the confluence of Deep Creek and the Tuckasegee River. Big Bear sold part of his reservation to Darling Belk in 1819 and another part to John B. Love in 1824. Throughout the 1830s, Belk's heirs and Love fought an extended legal battle over control of the former Big Bear land, with Love finally prevailing in 1840. The following year, Love sold part of the land to James and Diana Shuler. The Shulers, in turn, sold parts of their land to Colonel Thaddeus Bryson and merchant Alfred Cline. A small hamlet known as Bear Springs developed on what was once Big Bear's reservation.

Contemporary history
With its population having increased, Swain County was formed from parts of Jackson and Macon counties in 1871, during the Reconstruction era. The new commissioners first met at Cline's store at Bear Springs. Lucy Ann (Raby) Cline agreed to sell several lots of her land to form a county seat. Initially known as Charleston, the county seat was laid out in a T-shape, formed by what are now Main and Everett streets (the latter street was named for the county's first sheriff, Epp Everett). The first Swain County Courthouse was completed in 1874. In 1872, shortly after completion of the new jail, a gang led by Harvey Cooper stormed the jail and freed Tom Colvert, whom they deemed unjustly imprisoned for killing a rival at a saloon in Robbinsville.

In 1889, the people of Charleston changed the city's name to "Bryson City" to acknowledge the role of Thaddeus Bryson in its development, and to eliminate confusion from sharing a name with Charleston, South Carolina. The Western North Carolina Railroad laid tracks through Bryson City in 1884, greatly improving transportation to the previously isolated area. The Bryson City Bank opened in 1904. The current Swain County Courthouse was completed in 1908, replacing the former one.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was established in 1933 during the Great Depression, generates considerable revenue to for Swain County. Horace Kephart, an author and outdoors enthusiast who was based in Bryson City for several years, was a key early proponent for creation of the park. The Deep Creek section of the park, which is immediately north of Bryson City, has a large campground and multiple trailheads. The park's main eastern entrance is located just a few miles east of Bryson City at Cherokee. Cherokee is the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is also the base of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina. Many are descendants of Cherokee who avoided removal in the late 1830s.

The completion of Fontana Dam in 1944 created a reservoir, which inundated the only highway connecting Bryson City with the remote area of the Smokies known as the North Shore. The U.S. government began constructing a new highway in 1948, now known as Lakeview Drive, but it was slow. By 1972, only 7 mi had been completed. Environmental and financial issues stalled the project, and the road became known to locals as "The Road to Nowhere".

In 2007, the National Park Service deemed the road's construction to be in violation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's general management plan, and began working with Swain County to find an alternative.

The increasing usage of the automobile led to a decline in railroad transportation, and Southern Railway (which had replaced the Western North Carolina Railroad) dropped passenger service in 1948. After Norfolk Southern ended freight traffic on the railroad in 1985, the state of North Carolina purchased the tracks. In 1988, the state established a scenic line, known as the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, with its depot and departure point in Bryson City.

In 2015, the city's first FM station was launched. WTIJ-LP (100.7) broadcasts local and nationally syndicated ministers, and Christian music. The station is owned by Grace Christian Academy and broadcasts over the air and online 24/7.

Geography
Bryson City is located just west of the confluence of the Tuckasegee River, which flows westward from its source in the mountains to the east, and Deep Creek, which flows south from its source near Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains. After flowing around the Bryson City Island Park, and passing through Bryson City, the Tuckasegee flows southwestward for another 12 mi before emptying into the Little Tennessee River. Fontana Lake, an impoundment of the Little Tennessee, covers the lower 11 mi of the Tuckasegee.

The town is surrounded on all sides by mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains rise to the north, the Cowee Mountains rise to the south, and the Plott Balsams rise to the east. The boundary of the Nantahala National Forest passes just south of the city, and the boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park passes just to the north. The Qualla Boundary, which comprises the bulk of the reservation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, dominates the area to the east.

Bryson City is centered around the junction of Everett Street and Main Street. Main Street is part of U.S. Route 19, which connects Bryson City to Cherokee to the northeast and Murphy to the southwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.2 sqmi, of which 2.1 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (5.33%) is water.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,558 people, 654 households, and 424 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,411 people (1,353 in 2009), 588 households, and 323 families residing in the town. The population density was 663.5 PD/sqmi. There were 713 housing units at an average density of 335.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 90.93% White, 1.98% African American, 4.96% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.64% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70% of the population.

There were 588 households, out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 41.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 17.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $23,232, and the median income for a family was $31,875. Males had a median income of $26,528 versus $19,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,446. About 14.8% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 21.0% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure
There is a federal building and federal courthouse in Bryson City. The courthouse is in the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Education
Swain County Schools is the local school district. Swain County High School is the local high school.

In popular culture

 * Cormac McCarthy has his title character in his novel Suttree (1979), spend time in Bryson City.

The Temperance Brennan novel “Fatal Voyage” by Kathy Reichs is set in and around Bryson City.

Notable people

 * Horace Kephart – outdoorsman and author
 * Jerry Reed – pitcher for the Seattle Mariners
 * Franklin Paul Rogers – tattoo artist
 * Heath Shuler – professional football player; North Carolina Congressman
 * Red Smiley – bluegrass musician
 * Ellen Black Winston – first United States Commissioner of Welfare
 * The Inspirations – Southern Gospel Quartet

title: Bryson City, North Carolina


text:
Brevard, North Carolina

Brevard is a city and the county seat of Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States, with a population of 7,609 as of the 2010 census.

Brevard is located at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest and has become a noted tourism, retirement and cultural center in western North Carolina. A moderate climate, environmental beauty and cultural activities attracts retirees to the area.

Brevard is also known for its white squirrels. There are several theories of how they came to live there, including an overturned carnival truck and an escaped pet breeding with native squirrels.

Along with nearby Asheville and Hendersonville, Brevard forms the Asheville-Brevard, NC CSA combined statistical area.

History
According to the Transylvania Heritage Museum, the North Carolina General Assembly apportioned Transylvania County on February 15, 1861, from lands previously attributed to neighboring Jackson and Henderson counties. In the county's creation, a county seat was required to be conveniently accessible to most of the county's citizens. Its namesake was to honor Colonel Ephraim Brevard, M.D., a reputed Revolutionary War veteran.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.12 square miles, of which 0% is water.

Climate
Brevard is located in a temperate rainforest and has a climate that borders between a humid subtropical and oceanic climate and receives abundant rainfall year round due to orographic lift due to its location in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the nearby Great Balsam Mountains. It is one of the wettest towns in the US outside of the Pacific Northwest. It is also common for the town to get small amounts of snow in the winter. The town does not have any dry season, but fall gets the least amount of rain of all the seasons.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,744 people, 3,530 households, and 2,005 families residing in the city.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 7,609 people, 3,253 households, and 1,711 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,486 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.3% White, 11.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.07%, 0.46% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 2,826 households, out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12, and the average family size was 2.73.

The population was distributed broadly among different age groups, with 18.3% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 28.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,497, and the median income for a family was $44,489. Males had a median income of $26,929 versus $21,348 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,256. About 7.61% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.0% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
White Squirrel Festival takes place on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday preceding Memorial Day. It features the white Squirrel, Pisgah Pete, live music, arts & crafts, and food. The white variant of the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is commonly seen around Brevard.

Independence Day is a major event in Brevard. The celebrations include an annual fireworks display and a car judging competition. Streets downtown are blocked off for a festival including games, arts and crafts, concerts and food vendors.

Halloweenfest takes place on the last Saturday of October in downtown Brevard. Brevard is located in Transylvania County and it shows up in the enthusiasm seen in the costumes during the event. Live music, other street performers, arts & crafts, Flight of the Vampires 5K Run, pet costume contest, haunted house, ghost tour, and other activities happen all day.

Twilight Tour: Early in the morning runners come out for the Reindeer Run 5K Run. Street vendors appear in the afternoon after downtown is closed to traffic. The Christmas Parade proceeds down South Broad Street around 3pm, starting at Brevard High School and ending at Brevard College. After the parade, Twilight Tour takes place with, horse-drawn carriages, luminaries, seasonal music, and food in the many downtown shops & restaurants.

Education
Transylvania County Schools has two public high schools: Brevard High School and Rosman High School. The system also has an alternative high school in Davidson River School. There are four elementary schools and two middle schools. There is also one charter school, Brevard Academy, and several smaller private schools.

Brevard College, a four-year liberal arts institution, is located in Brevard.

The town is also home to the Brevard Music Center, and to a campus of the Blue Ridge Community College.

During the summer Brevard holds a distance runners camp at Brevard College.

Notable people

 * Kevin S. Brown (born 1968) — Episcopal bishop of Delaware
 * Joseph R. Bryson (1893–1953) — member of U.S. House of Representatives
 * Gil Coan (1922–2020) — Major League Baseball outfielder
 * Spencer Fisher (born 1976) — mixed martial artist
 * Courtney W. Hamlin (1858–1950) — member of U.S. House of Representatives
 * James A. Hefner (1941–2015) — former president, Tennessee State University (son of Art Hefner)
 * Clifford B. Hicks (1920–2010) — author
 * Allen Hunt (born 1964) — radio personality
 * Randy Johnson (1944–2009) — football player
 * Moms Mabley (1894–1975) — stand-up comedian
 * Mickey Marvin (1955–2017) — football player, Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders
 * Cliff Melton (1912–1986) — Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Lauren Myracle (born 1969) — author
 * James Champlin "Champ" Osteen (1877–1962) — Major League baseball infielder
 * Woody Platt — bluegrass musician
 * Marie M. Runyon (1915–2018) — activist and politician
 * O. K. Smathers (1914–1997) — world champion archer
 * Charles H. Taylor (born 1941) — former member of U.S. House of Representatives

Sister city
Brevard has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
 * Pietroasa, Bihor, Romania

title: Brevard, North Carolina


text:
Rosman, North Carolina

Rosman is a town in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 576 at the 2010 census. The northern terminus of U.S. Route 178 is less than one mile northwest of Rosman on U.S. Route 64.

The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is located approximately six miles north of Rosman, near Balsam Grove.

History
Known first by European Americans as Jeptha, the settlement was known as "Toxaway" in the early 20th century. Because this caused confusion with the nearby resort town of Lake Toxaway (10 miles to the west), in 1903 the name was changed to "Eastatoe," the name of a historic Cherokee town in the area. It was also the name for nearby Eastatoe Gap and Eastatoe Falls. The Cherokee word for the Carolina parakeet was eastatoe.

Town residents promoted another change, and Joseph Silversteen (a local industrialist) suggested Rosman in 1905, after two of his business associates, Joseph Rosenthal and Morris Osmansky. This was approved.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all land.

Within the town limits of Rosman and to the south of the town limits, U.S. Route 178 is called Pickens Highway, referring to Pickens, South Carolina. South of Rosman, the highway continues across mountainous terrain through a series of switchback curves into South Carolina, eventually reaching Pickens.

Rosman sits on the eastern boundary of Pisgah National Forest.

The French Broad River runs through the town of Rosman. The river's origin, where the North Fork French Broad and the West Fork French Broad converge to form the river proper, lies just west of the town. A USGS stream gauge station, number 03439000, is located on the French Broad River in Rosman.

The climate is very wet, with a mean annual rainfall since 1936 of 79.54 inch—one of the highest in the US east of the Cascades. The record annual rainfall of 129.60 inch in 1964 is the second heaviest for a calendar year within this region, only 0.54 inch behind Mount Washington’s record from 1969.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 701 people, 240 households, and 104 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 490 people, 210 households, and 149 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,140.7 PD/sqmi. There were 236 housing units at an average density of 549.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.57% White, 0.20% Asian, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 210 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,179, and the median income for a family was $24,219. Males had a median income of $21,500 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income for the town was $9,626. About 23.1% of families and 25.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 35.8% of those age 65 or over.

Camps
Rosman is home to The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center, as well as Ridge Haven.

Schools
The schools in the Rosman area include Rosman Elementary & TC Henderson Elementary, Rosman Middle and Rosman High School. Rosman's athletic teams are nicknamed the Tigers.

title: Rosman, North Carolina