Thomasville, North Carolina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Country	United States
Thomasville, North Carolina

Nickname: "Chair City"
Location in Davidson County and the state of North Carolina
State	North Carolina
Counties	Davidson
Government
- Mayor	Joe G. Bennett
Area
- City	11.1 sq mi (28.9 km²)
- Land	11.1 sq mi (28.9 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	840 ft (256 m)
Population (2000)
- City	19,788
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
Website: http://www.ci.thomasville.nc.us/

Thomasville is a city in Davidson County, North Carolina, USA. The population was 19,788 at the 2000 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's oldest festival, "Everybody's Day". Built around the local railway system, Thomasville is home to the oldest railroad depot in the state, just a few hundred feet from the city's most notable landmark, "The Big Chair".

1 Big Chair
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Manufacturing
5 Local Sports
6 Famous Residents
7 External links
8 References

[edit] Big Chair

Thomasville is commonly referred to as the "Chair Town" or "Chair City" or "The Big Chair", a 30 foot landmark replica of a Duncan Phyfe armchair that rests in the middle of the city. The original "Big Chair" was constructed in 1922 by the Thomasville Chair Company (now Thomasville Furniture Industries) out of lumber and Swiss steer hide to reflect the city's prominent furniture industry. However, this chair was scrapped in 1936 after 15 years of exposure to the weather. In 1951, a larger concrete version of the chair was erected with the collaboration of local businesses and civic organizations and still remains today. The Big Chair gained national attention in 1960 when then Presidential Candidate Lyndon B. Johnson greeted supporters on the monument during a campaign whistle stop. It has even been featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not!. Although larger ones have been built, many Thomasville residents still boast that the Big Chair between the two Main Streets is the World's Largest Chair.

[edit] Geography

Thomasville is located at 35°53′9″N, 80°4′38″W (35.885848, -80.077323)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.9 km² (11.1 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 19,788 people, 7,978 households, and 5,305 families residing in the city. The population density was 685.2/km² (1,775.2/mi²). There were 8,515 housing units at an average density of 294.9/km² (763.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.63% White, 23.91% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 3.83% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.93% of the population.

There were 7,978 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% 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 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,972, and the median income for a family was $35,933. Males had a median income of $27,479 versus $20,968 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,045. About 11.8% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Thomasville's population has grown much faster than the rest of North Carolina and the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that as of 2005 Thomasville's population reached 25,872, an annual average growth of over 6% from 2000. North Carolina grew at an average rate of 1.6%, and the United States grew at an average rate of 1%.

[edit] Manufacturing

Thomasville has been historically associated with furniture and cabinetry manufacture, as well as for a wholesale and retail furniture market. "Thomasville" is used as a trade designation for artisan furniture.

[edit] Local Sports

Thomasville Senior High School Bulldogs have an outstanding record, bringing home the state 1AA Football Championship for three consecutive years.^[1]

Year	Oponent	Score
2004	Wallace-Rose Hill	15 / 14
2005	Wallace-Rose Hill	21 / 20
2006	James Kenan	13 / 7

Thomasville Bulldogs also won the 1AA basketbball chapionship by beating North Edgecombe

Thomasville is also home to the Thomasville Hi-Toms of the Coastal Plain Summer Collegiate League, an NCAA sanctioned summer league. The Hi-Toms play at Historic Finch Field during the summer nights. The Hi-Toms won the 2006 Petite Cup, the Coastal Plain League Championship.