Brevard, North Carolina

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Brevard is a city in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. The 2005 population estimate by the United States Census Bureau was 6,643. It is the county seat of Transylvania County^GR6.

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 attract relocators to the area.

Brevard is the home of Brevard College, a four-year liberal arts institution with nationally-recognized programs in music and environmental studies. The town also is home to Brevard Music Center, one of the nation's preeminent summer music teaching and performance institutions. Brevard also boasts an extensive local music and arts community.

The city is nicknamed "The Land of Waterfalls" due to the many waterfalls in the area, including Looking Glass Falls, Connestee Falls, and Sliding Rock.

The Mayor of Brevard is Jimmy Harris. To date he is the youngest Brevard Mayor to have been elected (age 36). He is currently serving his 3rd term.

Brevard is home to the Brevard White Squirrel Festival [1] Approximately 25% of Brevard's squirrels are white squirrels, according to an annual survey conducted by the White Squirrel Institute. [2]

[edit] Geography

Brevard is located at 35°14′30″N, 82°43′43″W (35.241625, -82.728701)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.9 mi²). 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,789 people, 2,826 households, and 1,698 families residing in the city. The population density was 545.0/km² (1,412.6/mi²). There were 3,058 housing units at an average density of 245.5/km² (636.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.81% White, 11.53% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% 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 7.6% 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.