Davidson County, North Carolina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Davidson County, North Carolina | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of North Carolina |
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 North Carolina's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1822 |
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| Seat | Lexington |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,468 km² (567 mi²) 1,430 km² (552 mi²) 38 km² (15 mi²), 2.58% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
147,246 103/km² |
| Website: www.co.davidson.nc.us | |
Davidson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 147,246. Its county seat is Lexington6.
Contents |
[edit] History
The county was formed in 1822 from Rowan County. It was named after Brigadier General William Lee Davidson, an American Revolutionary War general killed at the Battle of Cowan's Ford on the Catawba River in 1781.
[edit] Law and government
Davidson County is a member of the regional Piedmont Triad Council of Governments.
Davidson County gained national attention when Gerald Hege, Sheriff from 1995-2003, became a minor celebrity for his unconventional prisoner treatment methods.
[edit] Education
Davidson County is served by Davidson County Schools; however, the cities of Thomasville and Lexington have their own school districts. Davidson County Schools is one of the county's largest employers.
Davidson County is also served by Davidson County Community College, a comprehensive community college that is a member school of North Carolina Community College System. Davidson County Community College was chartered in 1958 as an Industrial Education Center designed to provide adults the education and skills needed to move from an agricultural to a manufacturing-based economy. Today, this mission is continued as the College develops programs and opportunities for education necessary for a knowledge-based economy.
In 1965, the institution was chartered as Davidson County Community College. The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science were added to the existing Associate in Applied Science, Diploma, and Certificate offerings. University transfer courses were added in 1966. In 1997, the College participated in the Comprehensive Artticulation Agreement (CAA) that allows college transfer students to move easily to the 16 UNC schools, as well as many independent college and universities. Presently the Davidson Campus has grown to 11 buildings and two emergency services training facilities on approximately 97 acres.
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,468 km² (567 mi²). 1,430 km² (552 mi²) of it is land and 38 km² (15 mi²) of it (2.58%) is water.
[edit] Townships
The county is divided into seventeen townships: Abbotts Creek, Alleghany, Arcadia, Boone, Conrad Hill, Cotton Grove, Emmons, Hampton, Healing Spring, Jackson Hill, Lexington, Midway, Reedy Creek, Silver Hill, Thomasville, Tyro, and Yadkin College.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Davie County - northwest
- Forsyth County - north
- Guilford County - northeast
- Montgomery County - south
- Randolph County - east
- Rowan County - southwest
- Stanly County - southwest
[edit] Wine region
Parts of Davidson County are in the Yadkin Valley wine region.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 147,246 people, 58,156 households, and 42,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 103/km² (267/mi²). There were 62,432 housing units at an average density of 44/km² (113/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.05% White, 9.14% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 3.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 58,156 households out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.90% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,640, and the median income for a family was $46,241. Males had a median income of $31,287 versus $23,622 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,703. About 7.00% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.30% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Festivals
One of the county's most famous attractions is the yearly BBQ Festival held in the city of Lexington during the month of October for thousands of tourists and residents. There is also a yearly Davidson County Agriculture Fair held in September. Thomasville hosts an annual Everybody's Day festival, the longest running festival in the state.
[edit] Landmarks
In addition, there are many year-long attractions in Davidson County. Some of which include Historic Uptown Lexington, which consists of the Davidson County Historical Museum located in the old courthouse and Boone's Cave Park (where legend says an adolescent Daniel Boone hid from Indians). Other attractions include Denton Farm Park, Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookie Factory, Walter Johnson Camp and Conference Center, and the North Carolina Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
[edit] Art
For one's art interest, Davidson County has the Art Center of Davidson County, plus the personal galleries of local artists Bob Timberlake and Dempsey Essick.
In 2005, Davidson County Community College and the City of Thomasville formed a partnership for the creation of the Thomasville Artisan Center. This art studio allowed the College to reinvigorate its Associate in Fine Arts Degree and offer both university transfer classes as well as adult community interest classes in painting, drawing, and sculpting. The Artisan Center is part of the College's Thomasville Education Center complex which is part of the College's outreach to the community. The College has a second campus in Davie County in the city of Mocksville, as well as the Uptown Lexington Education Center, located within a few blocks of the Arts Center of Davidson County and the historic Court House.
[edit] Barbeque
For one's barbeque interest, there are many Lexington-style barbeque restaurants throughout the county. Some include Lexington BBQ (Honeymonk's), The BBQ Center, Jimmy's, Smokey Joe's, Backcountry, Speedy's, Tarheel Q, Stamey's, John Wayne's BBQ, Kerley's, Andy's, and Cook's.
[edit] Richard Childress
Davidson County is home to many supporting race fans and the famous Richard Childress. Here you will find his personal Childress Vineyards and Richard Childress Racing Museum and Shops.
[edit] The Big Chair
Finally, Davidson County is known for its oversized chair, "The Big Chair." This chair is located in central Thomasville and is a symbol of Davidson County's world famous furniture industry.
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] Unincorporated
[edit] Trivia
- The county is often referred to by the slang term "The D.C." by young locals, a nickname which developed prior to the airing of the popular Fox teenage drama The O.C.
