Lexington, North Carolina: Difference between revisions
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In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.6 males. |
In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.6 males. |
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The median income for a household in the city is $26,226, and the median income for a family is $32,339. Males have a median income of $25,555 versus $20,939 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city is $15,310. 21.2% of the population and 16.7% of families are below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 31.7% of those under the age of 18 and 18.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. The global outsourcing of textile and furniture manufacturing has negatively impacted Lexington's economy in the past few years. |
The median income for a household in the city is $26,226, and the median income for a family is $32,339. Males have a median income of $25,555 versus $20,939 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city is $15,310. 21.2% of the population and 16.7% of families are below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 31.7% of those under the age of 18 and 18.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. The global outsourcing of textile and furniture manufacturing has negatively impacted Lexington's economy in the past few years, while the chamber of commerce wants to "sit back and wait for the next big thing to happen". |
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==Images of Lexington== |
==Images of Lexington== |
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Revision as of 17:29, 5 October 2009
Lexington, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname: Barbecue Capital of the World | |
 Location in Davidson County and the state of North Carolina | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Davidson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-council government |
| • Mayor | John T. Walser, Jr. |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.6 sq mi (45.6 km2) |
| • Land | 17.6 sq mi (45.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 809 ft (246.5 m) |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 21,149 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 27292-27295 |
| Area code | 336 |
| FIPS code | 37-38060Template:GR |
| GNIS feature ID | 0988406Template:GR |
| Website | www.lexingtonnc.net |
Lexington is the county seat of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,953. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 52 (soon to be I-285) and U.S. Route 64. Lexington is part of the Piedmont Triad region of the state.
Lexington, Thomasville, and the rural areas surrounding them are slowly turning into bedroom communities for nearby cities such as Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point.
History
The Lexington area was at least sparsely settled by Europeans in 1775. The settlers named their community in honor of Lexington, Massachusetts, the site of the first skirmish of the American Revolutionary War. Lexington was incorporated as a city in 1828. Until the late 1990s, Lexington's economy was mainly textile and furniture manufacturing-based. Since then, most local manufacturers have moved their production facilities to Asia and Mexico as a way to reduce costs and remain competitive in a global market. This caused the closure of most textile and furniture factories and has contributed to economic difficulties for a community that was heavily dependent on these two industries for employment.
Silver Hill Mine, located a few miles south of Lexington, opened in 1838, and was the first operating silver mine in the country.[citation needed]
Popular attractions
In addition to Barbecue Festival, Lexington is also the home of artist and designer Bob Timberlake's gallery and Childress Vineyards, owned by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. Lexington is also adjacent to High Rock Lake, the second largest lake in North Carolina and frequently plays host to a number of fishing tournaments, including the Bassmasters Classic. The Lexington Barbecue Festival is held each October and attracts up to 150,000 visitors from all over the United States.[1]
Pigs in the City is a public art initiative coordinated by Uptown Lexington, Inc.,[2] a non-profit organization created to revitalize the downtown (or locally called "uptown") area of Lexington. Full size fiberglass pigs with individual themes and decorated by local artists are on display throughout the town square each summer.
Barbecue
Lexington calls itself the "Dirty Mullet Capital of the World".[3] Since 1984, the city has hosted the Lexington Barbecue Festival, one of the largest street festivals in North Carolina. As of 2003, the city has over twenty barbecue restaurants: an average of more than one per thousand residents.
Lexington-style barbecue is made with pork shoulder cooked slowly over a hardwood fire, usually hickory wood. It is basted in a sauce (called "dip" locally) made with vinegar, ketchup, water, salt, pepper and other spices. The actual ingredients will vary from restaurant to restaurant, with each restaurant's recipe being a closely guarded secret. While each is vinegar based, the taste varies widely from tangy to slightly sweet or spicy.
The most distinguishing feature of the "Lexington Barbecue Sandwich" is the inclusion of red slaw (sometimes called barbecue slaw). Red slaw is a combination of cabbage, vinegar, ketchup and crushed/ground black pepper. Red slaw is distinguishable from coleslaw because red slaw contains no mayonnaise. Many Lexingtonians (and visitors) consider red slaw a staple for a quality barbecue experience. Red slaw is commonly served as a side dish with barbecue, grilled poultry and other meats, and on hotdogs as a relish.
Geography
Lexington is located in the Piedmont. It is centered at 35°49'0" North, 80°15'31" West (35.816768, -80.258643)Template:GR, in the valley of the Yadkin River. Lexington is 11 miles northeast of High Rock Lake, part of the Yadkin-Pee Dee chain of lakes in central North Carolina.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.6 square miles (45.6 km²), of which, 17.6 square miles (45.6 km²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
It is bordered to the north and west by Interstate 85 Business, to the south and east by Interstate 85. Both interstates merge just southwest of the city. Additionally, 4 U.S. Highway Routes, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 64, U.S. Route 52, U.S. Route 70 and state highways NC Highway 8 and NC Highway 47 intersect the city.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 19,953 people in the city, organized into 7,926 households and 5,072 families. The population density is 1,132.6 people per square mile (437.2/km²). There are 8,510 housing units at an average density of 483.1/sq mi (186.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 58.80% White, 29.91% African American, 2.56% Asian, 0.46% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.02% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. 10.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 7,926 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% are married couples living together, 17.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% are non-families. 30.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,226, and the median income for a family is $32,339. Males have a median income of $25,555 versus $20,939 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,310. 21.2% of the population and 16.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 31.7% of those under the age of 18 and 18.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. The global outsourcing of textile and furniture manufacturing has negatively impacted Lexington's economy in the past few years, while the chamber of commerce wants to "sit back and wait for the next big thing to happen".
Images of Lexington
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Arts United of Davidson County -
City Hall -
Civic Center -
Mayors Office -
Police HQ -
Statue at Police HQ -
Fire Dept. HQ -
Korean War Memorial -
Vietnam War Memorial -
World War II Memorial -
Downtown during the Barbecue Festival -
Downtown during the Barbecue Festival -
Barbecue designation sign on Mayors building -
Part of the Museum at the Fire Dept. HQ
See also
References
- ^ Tracey, McCain (2008-10-26). "The Rain Is No Match for Barbecue". WFMY TV - digtriad.com. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
- ^ http://www.uptownlexington.org/Events/pigsinthecity.asp
- ^ http://www.visitlexingtonnc.com Lexington Tourism Authority website
External links
- Official website
- Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce
- Lexington Tourism Authority
- Lexington's Annexation
- About Lexington's annexation
- Uptown Lexington, Inc.
- Arts United for Davidson County
- Lexington's Barbecue Festival
- Davidson Co. Tourism and Recreation
- Images and Feature Articles
- Photographs of Lexington buildings from the Library of Congress "Built in America" collection
Municipalities and communities of Davidson County, North Carolina, United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
