Salisbury, North Carolina

Salisbury, North Carolina
City
Seal
Location of Salisbury, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Rowan
Area
• Total	17.8 sq mi (46.0 km2)
• Land	17.8 sq mi (46.0 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	791 ft (241 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	26,462
• Density	1,488.3/sq mi (574.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	28144-28147
Area code	704
FIPS code	37-58860Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0994186Template:GR
Website	www.salisburync.gov

Salisbury is a city in Rowan County in North Carolina, a state of the United States of America. The population was 26,462 in 2000. It is the county seat of Rowan CountyTemplate:GR. Salisbury is the home to famed North Carolina soft drink, Cheerwine, and the regional supermarket Food Lion. Salisbury is the birthplace of former US Senator Elizabeth Dole, financier and philanthropist Julian H. Robertson and retired NBA player Bobby Jackson.

Salisbury is the site of a noted prisoner of war camp during the American Civil War and has a large historic home district with many large mansions, several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.[1] Salisbury also has a strong record of historic preservation.

Downtown Salisbury, Inc. and the Salisbury Community Appearance Commission offer a glimpse into the city's rich and diverse history through the Salisbury History and Art Trail. A series of markers throughout the city incorporate both history and art into the trail to assist in sharing events, stories, and experiences from Salisbury's past. The markers are organized info five broad historic eras. Downtown Salisbury Ghost Walks and Tours provide a blend of evening enlightenment and entertainment as participants tour the historic city on foot. A stroll The Rowan Arts Council's Rowan Art Crawl

Geography

Salisbury is located at 35°40′6″N 80°28′43″W (35.668289, -80.478479)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.8 square miles (46.0 km²), all of it land.

Rowan County Courthouse, Salisbury, 1934

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 26,462 people, 10,276 households, and 6,186 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,488.3 people per square mile (574.6/km²). There were 11,288 housing units at an average density of 634.9/sq mi (245.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.30% White, 37.56% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.30% of the population.

There were 10,276 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,923, and the median income for a family was $41,108. Males had a median income of $31,149 versus $25,019 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,864. About 12.2% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over. However, there is a large percentage of residents in Salisbury who are of the upper class. 2010 Census data will be available in January 2011.

History

A walking tour begins at the Rowan County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and winds through the history of Salisbury and the state's Piedmont Region. Structures from the 1800's, as well as interesting artifacts such as the desk that President Andrew Jackson used when he studied law in Salisbury, can be seen and enjoyed. The Rowan Museum located in both the Salisbury's 1854 Courthouse and the circa 1815 Utzman-Chambers House Museum, as well as the 1820 Hall House, provide unique and fascinating Salisbury history. The City of Salisbury currently boasts 10 National Register Historic Districts with over 1,200 properties.

Shopping

Salisbury, North Carolina is home to a vibrant downtown area that encompasses several blocks near the intersection of Innes Street and Main Street. The downtown area is dominated by small locally owned merchants. The area features many restaurants featuring a variety of cuisine and environments as well.

For over 250 years Downtown Salisbury has been recognized for its beauty and considered as one of the best places in N.C. for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing. A diverse array of unique shops, inviting restaurants, antique stores, living history, and cultural attractions offer a great place to spend a day, a weekend or a lifetime. Downtown Night Outs, held throughout the year, provide opportunities for late night shopping, musical entertainment, dining, and fellowship.

Salisbury is also home to the Salisbury Mall, located at the intersection of Jake Alexander Boulevard and Statesville Road in the northwest portion of the city. A movie multiplex is also located near the mall.

Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Staples, Office Depot, a Tinsletown movie theater, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and a Cracker Barrel are around Exit 76 (Innes Street/US 52) from Interstate 85. Many other lodging establishments and restaurants are also located near around this exit.

Cultural Community

The Salisbury community presents an area rich in cultural resources with tremendous citizen support and stewardship for arts and cultural development. Salisbury boasts a tradition of valuing arts and diligently strives to protect existing resources while linking arts and cultural resources to key economic, neighborhood development, educatational, and social goals of the broader community.

Salisbury is characterized by a strong commitment to historic preservation, high levels of arts and cultural activity, a citizen base that places high value on arts education, and a strong local tradition of civic volunteerism. The city offers a growing, strong population of professional and amateur artists drawn from many disciplines with vast support from local patrons and foundations. The unique blend of participation and support for the arts, with that of an emerging downtown public art program, have provided the foundation for an exemplary cultural arts plan. The Salisbury Sculpture Show is an example of an existing public art program.

Health care

Rowan Regional Medical Center is the city's general hospital. The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center is a veterans' hospital in Salisbury operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Economy

Major employers in Salisbury include the US headquarters of Food Lion, a regional grocery chain that is the US subsidiary of Delhaize and the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center. The Rowan Regional Medical center - Salisbury's main hospital - and the local public school system, Rowan Salisbury School System, are also major employers. Smaller employers include textile mills and other manufacturing businesses.

Education

Salisbury offers a number of educational opportunities.

Elementary schools (K-5)

• Woodleaf Elementary School [2]
• Hurley Elementary School
• Knollwood Elementary School
• Millbridge Elementary School (opened 2005)
• Carroll T Overton Elementary School
• H D Isenberg Elementary School
• E Hanford Dole Elementary School
• Rockwell Elementary School
• Landis Elementary School
• Mt. Ulla Elementary School
• Morgan Elementary School
• E D Koontz Elementary School
• St.Gaberil School
• Faith Elementary School

Middle schools (6-8)

• Charles Erwin Middle School
• Knox Middle School
• Southeast Middle School
• West Rowan Middle School
• North Rowan Middle School.
• Corriher-Lipe Middle School
• China Grove Middle School

High schools (9-12)

• North Rowan High School [3] [4]
• Henderson Independent School (8-12)
• Salisbury High School [5]
• West Rowan High School
• Jesse C. Carson High School
• East Rowan High School
• South Rowan High School

Private schools

• Gospel Light Baptist School (closed in 1995)
• North Hills Christian School (PK-12) [6]
• Rockwell Christian School (pk-12)
• RCHSA, Homeschool group (any age)
• Sacred Heart Elementary School (K-8)
• Salisbury Academy (PK-8)[7]
• Salisbury Adventist School (K-7)
• Salisbury Christian School (K-12)
• St. John's Kindergarten (PK-K)
• Tabernacle Baptist School

Colleges and universities

• Catawba College
• Livingstone College
• Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Libraries

• Rowan Public Library [8]

Government

On the national level, Salisbury is a part of North Carolina's 12th congressional district, and is currently represented by Democrat Mel Watt. The state's senior member of the United States Senate is Republican Richard Burr, who was elected to the Senate in 2004. The junior Senator is Democrat Kay Hagan, who defeated Salisbury native and incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole in the 2008 election. Salisbury is the home town of former Senator Dole; she has an office in Salisbury.

On the state level, Salisbury is represented in the North Carolina House of Representatives as a part of the 77th district, which includes the city and northern and western parts of Rowan County. The current representative is Democrat Lorene Coates. Salisbury is also represented in the North Carolina Senate by Republican Andrew Brock as a part of the 34th district. Senator Brock also represents Davie County.

Salisbury is governed by a city council which is chaired by the Mayor of Salisbury Susan W. Kluttz. The other city council members are Mayor Pro Tempore Maggie Blackwell, Councilman William "Pete" Kennedy, Councilman Paul Woodson, and Councilman Brian Miller. The city council appoints a city manager to run the day-to-day operations. Since 1986, David Treme has been Salisbury's City Manager.

Transportation

Amtrak's Crescent and Carolinian and Piedmont trains connect Salisbury with the cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. The Amtrak station is situated at Depot and Liberty Streets. Salisbury is also served by Interstate 85, US Highways 601, 29, 52, and 70, and the Rowan County Airport.

Salisbury is an important point on Interstate 85 as it is just south of the halfway point between Charlotte and Greensboro. Exits 74 (Julian Road), 75 (US Highway 601/Jake Alexander Boulevard), and 76 (Innes Street/US Highway 52) are designated as Salisbury exits.

Winemaking

Salisbury is also notable for its winemaking. Located near Salisbury is the famed Old Stone Vineyard and Winery, built by members of the Cruse family in 1943. The winery is one of the largest in the state producing quality muscadine and French recipe wines. The winery is also the historic site of the "Old Stone House" built by German immigrant Michael Braun in 1766 and the Beth Sadeh Synagogue, the only Sephardic synagogue in North Carolina.

Media

The Salisbury Post is the local newspaper, published every day.

WSAT,"Memories 1280", is an AM radio station whose programming consists largely of pop music "standards". It also broadcasts games of the Carolina Panthers, Catawba College, and local high schools.

WSTP, "Newsradio 1490", is an AM news/talk radio station whose programming also includes broadcasts of Atlanta Braves baseball games and those of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, as well as NFL games.

Coffee News is a fun, weekly paper distributed to restaurants throughout Salisbury and Rowan County. The paper features stories, quotes, trivia, weekly horoscopes, and listings for local non-profit events. It also contains advertising for small and medium sized local businesses.

See also

• Salisbury Township

External links

• Official website of Salisbury, NC
• Salisbury-Rowan County Visitor's Bureau
• Salisbury Prison (Civil War) web site
• Historic Salisbury web site
• Rowan Museum web site
• Downtown Salisbury, Inc.
• Salisbury Post web site
• Piedmont Coffee News