Asheboro, North Carolina

Asheboro is a city in and the county seat of Randolph County, North Carolina, United States.[4] The population was 25,012 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Greensboro–High Point Metropolitan Area of the Piedmont Triad and is home of the state-owned North Carolina Zoo.[5]

Not to be confused with Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheboro, North Carolina
City
Asheboro municipal building
Asheboro municipal building
Official seal of Asheboro, North Carolina
Seal
Nickname: 
Zoo City
Motto: 
"Exactly where you want to be."
Location of Asheboro, North Carolina
Location of Asheboro, North Carolina
Asheboro is located in North Carolina
Asheboro
Asheboro
Asheboro is located in the United States
Asheboro
Asheboro
Asheboro is located in North America
Asheboro
Asheboro
Coordinates: 35°42′57″N 79°48′46″W
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyRandolph
Named forSamuel Ashe
Government
 • MayorDavid Smith
Area
[1]
 • Total19.00 sq mi (49.20 km2)
 • Land18.90 sq mi (48.95 km2)
 • Water0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2)
Elevation
[2]
846 ft (258 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total27,156
 • Density1,436.75/sq mi (554.73/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
27203-27205
Area code336-743
FIPS code37-02080[3]
GNIS feature ID2403119[2]
Websitewww.asheboronc.gov

History

Asheboro was named after Samuel Ashe, the ninth governor of North Carolina (1795–1798), and became the county seat of Randolph County in 1796.[6] It was a small village in the 1800s, with a population of less than 200 through the Civil War; its main function was housing the county courthouse, and the town was most active when court was in session. Asheboro's population only began to grow significantly following its connection to railroads: the High Point, Randleman, Asheboro and Southern Railroad first served the city in 1889, followed by the Montgomery Railroad in 1896.[7]

Asheboro emerged as a textile production center in the 20th century with the opening of the Acme Hosiery Mills in 1909. After World War II, the city's manufacturing sector grew to include batteries, wires and food products. The city's main tourist attraction, the North Carolina Zoo, opened in 1974.[7]

Asheboro suffered from an economic downturn in the 2000s due to a decline in its traditional manufacturing industries amid increasing competition from overseas; the national news program 60 Minutes described it as a "dying town" in 2012.[8]

Historic buildings

The following buildings in Asheboro are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:[9][10][11][12]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.4 square miles (40 km2), of which 15.3 square miles (40 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.58%) is water. Asheboro is known as the center point of North Carolina. Although Asheboro is located in the gently rolling Piedmont plateau region of central North Carolina, far to the east of the Appalachian Mountains, the town and surrounding area are surprisingly hilly. The town lies within the Uwharrie Mountains, a series of ancient ridges and monadnocks which have been worn down by erosion to high hills. As such, Asheboro gives the impression of being in a more mountainous area than it actually is.

Climate
Climate data for Asheboro, North Carolina
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)		 82
(28)		 92
(33)		 93
(34)		 97
(36)		 103
(39)		 104
(40)		 105
(41)		 100
(38)		 96
(36)		 87
(31)		 79
(26)		 105
(41)
Average high °F (°C) 49
(9)		 54
(12)		 62
(17)		 71
(22)		 78
(26)		 84
(29)		 88
(31)		 86
(30)		 80
(27)		 71
(22)		 62
(17)		 52
(11)		 70
(21)
Average low °F (°C) 30
(−1)		 33
(1)		 40
(4)		 48
(9)		 56
(13)		 65
(18)		 69
(21)		 68
(20)		 61
(16)		 49
(9)		 40
(4)		 33
(1)		 49
(10)
Record low °F (°C) −8
(−22)		 2
(−17)		 8
(−13)		 25
(−4)		 33
(1)		 39
(4)		 45
(7)		 46
(8)		 36
(2)		 21
(−6)		 10
(−12)		 −1
(−18)		 −8
(−22)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.83
(97)		 3.78
(96)		 4.02
(102)		 3.64
(92)		 3.52
(89)		 3.90
(99)		 4.08
(104)		 4.17
(106)		 3.94
(100)		 3.68
(93)		 3.41
(87)		 3.27
(83)		 45.24
(1,148)
Source: The Weather Channel[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1850176—
1870182—
188029964.3%
189051070.6%
190099294.5%
19101,86588.0%
19202,55937.2%
19305,02196.2%
19406,98139.0%
19507,70110.3%
19609,44922.7%
197010,79714.3%
198015,25241.3%
199016,3627.3%
200021,67232.5%
201025,01215.4%
202027,1568.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2020 census
Asheboro racial composition[15]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 14,315 52.71%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,300 12.15%
Native American 119 0.44%
Asian 365 1.34%
Pacific Islander 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,069 3.94%
Hispanic or Latino 7,985 29.4%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,156 people, 10,841 households, and 6,130 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 21,672 people, 8,756 households, and 5,516 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,412.5 inhabitants per square mile (545.4/km2). There were 9,515 housing units at an average density of 620.1 per square mile (239.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 69.45% White, 12.08% African American, 0.51% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 7.72% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.9% of the population.

There were 8,756 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

Economy

Top employers

According to Asheboro's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[16] the top employers in the city were:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Technimark 1,500
2 Klaussner Furniture Industries 1,100
3 Randolph Health 1,084
4 North Carolina Zoo 630
5 Asheboro City Schools 620
6 Energizer Battery 405
7 City of Asheboro 330
8 DJO Global/Elastic Therapy 240
9 Post Consumer Brands 230
10 Bossong Hosiery 225

In October 2012 Hyosung USA announced the closure of the Asheboro wire plant and loss of 310 jobs. Built by Goodyear and acquired by Hyosung in 2011, the plant makes wires for use in car and truck tires.[17]

Black & Decker Corp was one of the main employers in the mid 1990s; one of its products, the SnakeLight, sold millions after being introduced in late 1994. The plant employed about 1,100 workers in 1998 and was one of the three biggest employers in Randolph County.[18]

Culture

Sports

Retail

Randolph Mall opened in 1982.

Transportation

Routes include U.S. Route 220 and Interstate 73/Interstate 74, which connect it to Greensboro, U.S. Route 64 bypasses most of Asheboro to the south, while it goes through more of the city limits as a separate business route. U.S. 64 also connects the city to Raleigh, and North Carolina Highway 49, which connects the city to Charlotte.

Asheboro Regional Airport serves general aviation traffic to and from the city. The closest airport with scheduled passenger service is Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro.

Education

Asheboro City Schools operates public schools serving the city.

Fayetteville Street Christian School, located in Asheboro, is the largest private school in Randolph County.[19]

In addition the Randolph County Schools has its headquarters in Asheboro.[20]

Notable people

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Asheboro, North Carolina
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. NC Zoological Park Funding and Organization (PDF) Archived 2012-02-24 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2010-10-08.
  6. Martin, Jonathan. "Randolph County (1779)". North Carolina History Project. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  7. "History - City of Asheboro, NC". www.ci.asheboro.nc.us. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  8. "The death and life of Asheboro, N.C." www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  9. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  10. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 8/18/14 through 8/23/14. National Park Service. August 29, 2014.
  11. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties:12/05/11 through 12/09/11. National Park Service. December 16, 2011.
  12. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 4/18/11 through 4/22/11. National Park Service. April 29, 2011.
  13. "Asheboro, NC Monthly Weather Forecast - weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  15. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  16. City of Asheboro CAFR
  17. ".biz - Hyosung closing Asheboro plant and laying off 310 | newsobserver.com blogs". Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  18. "Black & Decker to Move Two Units from Asheboro\ Most of the Employees at the Asheboro Plant Will Keep Their Jobs, Company Officials Say".
  19. "."
  20. "RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS CENTRAL OFFICE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY." Randolph County Schools. Retrieved on September 21, 2013. "Administrative Offices 2222-C S. Fayetteville Street Asheboro, NC 27205"
  21. "Scott Bankhead". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  22. Mars Hill University Names Randall Henderson, Jr. as Alumnus of the Year. mhu.edu. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  23. Paul Newby | The Federalist Society. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  24. http://www.ci.asheboro.nc.us/Newsletters/CenterPoint_Sep06.pdf Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2008-10-26.
  25. Holt, Ross. "LibGuides: Historic Landmark Preservation Commission: Marmaduke Robins Law Office". randolphlibrary.libguides.com.
  26. Joe Spinks inducted into Campbell Sports Hall of Fame. gocamels.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Asheboro.
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