Asheboro is a city in and the county seat of Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 25,012 at the 2010 census. It is the home of the state-owned North Carolina Zoo.
Historic buildings
The death and life of Asheboro, N.C. - Asheboro, N.C., was once considered a dying town, but it fought back and now exists somewhere between recovery and recession. Scott Pelley reports.
Acme-McCrary Hosiery Mills, Asheboro Hosiery Mills and Cranford Furniture Company Complex, Central School, Wilson Kindley Farm and Kindley Mine, Lewis-Thornburg Farm, Mount Shepherd Pottery Site, Randolph County Courthouse, Sunset Theater, and Thayer Farm Site (31RD10) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Asheboro is located at 35°42′55″N 79°48′47″W (35.715211, -79.813001).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.4 square miles (40Â km2), of which, 15.3 square miles (40Â km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26Â km2) of it (0.58%) is water. Asheboro is known as the center point of NC. 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, an ancient series of 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.
Demographics
As of the census 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 people per square mile (545.5/km²). There were 9,515 housing units at an average density of 620.1 per square mile (239.5/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 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:
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.
Culture
Sports
- Asheboro is home to the Asheboro Copperheads of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Copperheads play at McCrary Park in Asheboro. The Copperheads began play for the 1999 season.
- Caraway Speedway, a Whelen Southern Modified Tour racing location. It is .455 mile asphalt oval that has seen famous stockcar drivers Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Kyle Petty grace its track.
Retail
Randolph Mall opened in 1982.
Notable people
- Sam Ard, 1983 and 1984 Nascar Busch Series Champion
- William Johnston Armfield, business executive and philanthropist
- Scott Bankhead, Major League Baseball and 1984 US Olympic Team pitcher
- Chuck Bown, 1990 Nascar Busch Series Champion
- Lane Caudell, musician and actor. Starred in motion pictures, daytime television show Days Of Our Lives, and had recording contracts spanning two decades.
- Keith Crisco, Secretary of Commerce for North Carolina (2009-2013), primary candidate for U.S. Representative, Second District (2014).
- William Cicero Hammer, U.S. Congressional Representative Democrat 1921â€"1930
- J. Wayne Frye, Author. Wrote Aaron Adams, Chablis Louise Chavez and Lynton mysteries 1992â€"present
- Elizabeth Lail, actress known for her role as Anna in Once Upon a Time series
- Reynolds Price, novelist, essayist and educator, resident of the town in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Julius Ramsay, Emmy-nominated television director and editor
- Jonathan Worth, North Carolina Governor from 1865 to 1868 during early Reconstruction
- Merceda Perry, former NFL player
Transportation
Asheboro lies at the intersection of U.S. Route 220 and Interstate 73/Interstate 74, which connect it to Greensboro, U.S. Route 64, which connects it to Raleigh, and North Carolina Highway 49, which connects it 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.
In addition the Randolph County Schools has its headquarters in Asheboro.
References
External links
- Official website
- Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau
- Official Visitor Info for the Greater Asheboro Area
- Asheboro/Randolph County Chamber of Commerce
- The Randolph Guide newspaper