Surry County, North Carolina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Surry County, North Carolina | |
| Image:Surry County nc seal.gif | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of North Carolina |
|
 North Carolina's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1771 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Dobson |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,393 km² (538 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 3 km² (1 mi²), 0.24% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
44,711 51/km² |
| Website: www.co.surry.nc.us | |
Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 71,219. Its county seat is Dobson6.
Contents |
[edit] History
The county was formed in 1771 from Rowan County. It was named for the county of Surrey in England, birthplace of William Tryon, Governor of North Carolina from 1765 to 1771.
In 1777 parts of Surry County and Washington District (now Washington County, Tennessee) were combined to form Wilkes County. In 1789 the eastern half of Surry County became Stokes County. In 1850 the half of the county's remaining territory south of the Yadkin River became Yadkin County.
[edit] Law and government
Surry County is a member of the regional Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,393 km² (538 mi²). 1,390 km² (537 mi²) of it is land and 3 km² (1 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water.
Surry County is located both within the Piedmont region of central North Carolina and in the Appalachian Mountains region of western North Carolina. The eastern two-thirds of the county lies within the Piedmont, a region of gently rolling hills and valleys. Pilot Mountain, an isolated monadnock and a North Carolina landmark, rises sharply 1,500 feet above the surrounding terrain, and can be seen for miles. The western third of the county lies within the Blue Ridge Mountains, and they dominate the county's western horizon. The mountain passes (called "gaps" locally) are notorious for their occasional high winds, which can force automobiles and even large Eighteen wheeler trucks off the highways which lead through the passes. As a result, high wind advisories issued by the National Weather Service are not uncommon.
The whole county is generally considered part of the Piedmont Triad metropolitan area.
[edit] Townships
The county is divided into fifteen townships: Bryan, Dobson, Eldora, Elkin, Franklin, Long Hill, Marsh, Mount Airy, Pilot, Rockford, Shoals, Siloam, South Westfield, Stewarts Creek, and Westfield.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Carroll County, Virginia - north
- Patrick County, Virginia - northeast
- Stokes County, North Carolina - east
- Forsyth County, North Carolina - southeast
- Yadkin County, North Carolina - south
- Wilkes County, North Carolina - southwest
- Alleghany County, North Carolina - northwest
- Grayson County, Virginia - north-northwest
[edit] Wine region
Surry County is part of the Yadkin Valley wine region.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 71,219 people, 28,408 households, and 20,482 families residing in the county. The population density was 51/km² (133/mi²). There were 31,033 housing units at an average density of 22/km² (58/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.40% White, 4.16% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.45% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 6.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 28,408 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% 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 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,046, and the median income for a family was $38,902. Males had a median income of $27,854 versus $20,556 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,722. About 9.10% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] Unincorporated communities
- Flat Rock
- Little Richmond
- Mountain Park
- Shoals
- Siloam
- State Road
- Toast
- White Plains
[edit] Education
[edit] High Schools
- East Surry High School
- Elkin High School
- Mount Airy High School
- North Surry High School
- Surry Central High School
[edit] Middle Schools
- Central Middle School
- Elkin Middle School
- Gentry Middle School
- Jones Intermediate School
- Meadowview Middle School
- Mount Airy Middle School
- Pilot Mountain Middle School
[edit] Elementary Schools
- Cedar Ridge Elementary School
- Copeland Elementary School
- Dobson Elementary School
- Elkin Elementary School
- Flat Rock Elementary School
- Franklin Elementary School
- Mountain Park Elementary School
- Shoals Elementary School
- Tharington Primary School
- Westfield Elementary School
- White Plains Elementary School
[edit] Media
[edit] Print
Surry County is covered by two local newspapers, the Mount Airy News and The Tribune of Elkin, as well as the larger Winston-Salem Journal.
[edit] Broadcast
WIFM in Elkin is the county's only FM radio station. There also has three AM stations, WYZD in Dobson, as well as WPAQ and WSYD in Mount Airy.
Surry County is part of the Piedmont Triad radio and television market but many broadcasts from the Charlotte market also can be received in Surry County.
