North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Encyclopedia : N : NO : NOR : North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,116 at the 2000 census. It is the original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, though the chain has since relocated its headquarters. North Wilkesboro's major industries include furniture, mirror, and textile production.
History
North Wilkesboro was founded in the 1890's when the Norfolk and Southern Railroad built a railroad line into Wilkes County. The line ended on the northern bank of the Yadkin River opposite Wilkesboro, the county seat. The town of North Wilkesboro quickly developed around the railroad tracks.From 1947 to 1996 North Wilkesboro was the home of the North Wilkesboro Speedway, one of the first tracks on the NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Racing) circuit, and the town earned considerable revenue and publicity from the two NASCAR races that were held at the track each year. In 1996 the track was sold to two new owners, who closed the North Wilkesboro Speedway and moved its NASCAR races to their speedways in Texas and New Hampshire. A group known as "Save the Speedway" is currently trying to purchase the track and reopen it for auto racing. Driver Jimmy Pardue was from the town.
North Wilkesboro is the home of the annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival, which is held to celebrate the apple harvest from the nearby Brushy Mountains. Crowds of up to 100,000 people usually attend the two-day festival, which features music, dancing, and food traditional to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.3 km² (5.1 mi²), all land.The town is located on the north bank of the Yadkin River opposite Wilkesboro, the seat of Wilkes County, North Carolina.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 4,116 people, 1,639 households, and 942 families residing in the town. The population density was 310.4/km² (803.9/mi²). There were 1,837 housing units at an average density of 138.5/km² (358.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 78.47% White, 13.90% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.49% Pacific Islander, 4.25% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.27% of the population.There were 1,639 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 39.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $22,813, and the median income for a family was $29,844. Males had a median income of $22,204 versus $17,872 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,594. About 21.8% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 27.2% of those age 65 or over.
External links
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