Surry County, North Carolina
93245
225349423
2008-07-13T06:01:11Z
96.3.72.93
Corrected a minor mistake, According to the US Census Bureau, the population in 2000 was 71,227
{{Infobox U.S. County|
county = Surry County|
state = North Carolina |
seal = surryseal.png|
map = Map of North Carolina highlighting Surry County.png |
map size = 250|
founded = 1771|
seat = [[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]] |
area_total_sq_mi =538 |
area_water_sq_mi =1 |
area percentage = 0.24% |
census yr = 2000|
pop = 71227 |
density_km2 =51|
web = www.co.surry.nc.us|
|}}
'''Surry County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of 2000, the population was 71,227. Its [[county seat]] is [[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]]{{GR|6}}.
== History ==
The county was formed in 1771 from [[Rowan County, North Carolina|Rowan County]]. It was named for the county of [[Surrey]] in England, birthplace of [[William Tryon]], [[List of Governors of North Carolina|Governor of North Carolina]] from 1765 to 1771.
In 1777 parts of Surry County and Washington District (now [[Washington County, Tennessee]]) were combined to form [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes County]]. The first permanent courthouse was established at Richmond in 1779, what is now the modern-day [[Old Richmond Township, Forsyth County, North Carolina|Old Richmond Township]] in [[Forsyth County, North Carolina|Forsyth County]] near [[Donnaha, North Carolina|Donnaha]]. However, in 1789 the eastern half of Surry County became [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes County]], thus making the Richmond site unusable for either county. In 1790, the county seat was moved to [[Rockford, North Carolina|Rockford]] where it remained for over half a century. In 1850 the half of the county's remaining territory south of the [[Yadkin River]] became [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]]. The town of [[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]] was established in 1853 to be the new county seat.
== Law and government ==
Surry County is a member of the regional [[Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments]].
== Geography ==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of 538 [[square mile]]s (1,393 [[km²]]), of which, 537 square miles (1,390 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.24%) is water.
The whole county is generally considered part of the [[Piedmont Triad]] metropolitan area. Surry County is located in the [[Yadkin Valley AVA]], an [[American Viticultural Area]]. [[Wine]]s made from [[grape]]s grown in Surry County may carry the [[appellation]] Yadkin Valley on their label.
=== Townships ===
The county is divided into fifteen [[township (United States)|townships]]:
<table><tr><td valign=top>
*[[Bryan Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Bryan]]
*[[Dobson Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Dobson]]
*[[Eldora Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Eldora]]
*[[Elkin Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Elkin]]
*[[Franklin Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Franklin]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Long Hill Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Long Hill]]
*[[Marsh Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Marsh]]
*[[Mount Airy Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Mount Airy]]
*[[Pilot Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Pilot]]
*[[Rockford Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Rockford]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Shoals Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Shoals]]
*[[Siloam Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Siloam]]
*[[South Westfield Township, Surry County, North Carolina|South Westfield]]
*[[Stewarts Creek Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Stewarts Creek]]
*[[Westfield Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Westfield]]
</td></tr></table>
===Adjacent counties===
*[[Carroll County, Virginia]] - north
*[[Patrick County, Virginia]] - northeast
*[[Stokes County, North Carolina]] - east
*[[Forsyth County, North Carolina]] - southeast
*[[Yadkin County, North Carolina]] - south
*[[Wilkes County, North Carolina]] - southwest
*[[Alleghany County, North Carolina]] - northwest
*[[Grayson County, Virginia]] - north-northwest
===National [[protected area]]===
* [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] (part)
=== Mountains ===
Surry County is located both within the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] region of central North Carolina and in the [[Appalachian Mountains]] region of western North Carolina. Most of the eastern two-thirds of the county lies within the Piedmont, a region of gently rolling hills and valleys. However, the Piedmont of Surry County also contains a small portion of the [[Sauratown Mountains]]; Surry County marks the western end of the Sauratown Mountain range. The western third of the county lies within the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], and they dominate the county's western horizon. The mountain passes (called "gaps" locally) are notorious for their occasional high winds, which can force automobiles and even large [[Eighteen wheeler]] trucks off the highways which lead through the passes. As a result, high wind advisories issued by the [[National Weather Service]] are not uncommon. The highest point in Surry County is Fisher Peak in the Blue Ridge; it rises to 3,570 feet above sea level. However, the best-known peak in Surry County is not the highest. That honor goes to [[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mountain]], an isolated [[monadnock]] and a North Carolina landmark. Pilot Mountain sharply rises some 1,500 feet above the surrounding countryside, and can be seen for miles.
Another notable peak in Surry County is Cumberland Knob, in the northwest corner of the county, which was the starting point of the construction of the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]]. The following table provides a list of some of the more prominent mountains of the county.
[[Image:PilotMt890611.JPG|right|thumb|350px|Pilot Mountain]]
{| class="wikitable"
![[Summit (topography)|Summit]]
!Location
![[Elevation]]
|-
| Buck Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|30|29|N|80|50|00|W}}
| 1,768 ft.
|-
| Cumberland Knob
| {{coor dms|36|33|00|N|80|54|31|W}}
| 2,858 ft.
|-
| Fisher Peak
| {{coor dms|36|33|34|N|80|49|23|W}}
| 3,570 ft.
|-
| Fulcher Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|30|07|N|80|50|20|W}}
| 1,831 ft.
|-
| Fulcher Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|29|58|N|80|50|18|W}}
| 1,762 ft.
|-
| Lens Knob
| {{coor dms|36|27|46|N|80|55|31|W}}
| 2,175 ft.
|-
| Long Branch Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|33|11|N|80|30|43|W}}
| 1,631 ft.
|-
| [[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mountain]]
| {{coor dms|36|20|24|N|80|28|27|W}}
| 2,421 ft.
|-
| Racoon Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|28|45|N|80|52|30|W}}
| 2,152 ft.
|-
| Raven Knob
| {{coor dms|36|28|11|N|80|50|41|W}}
| 1,896 ft.
|-
| Round Peak
| {{coor dms|36|31|23|N|80|48|49|W}}
| 2,077 ft.
|-
| Saddle Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|30|03|N|80|55|37|W}}
| 3,294 ft.
|-
| Skull Camp Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|28|31|N|80|48|59|W}}
| 2,044 ft.
|-
| Slate Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|32|34|N|80|30|54|W}}
| 1,988 ft.
|-
| Slate Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|32|24|N|80|31|20|W}}
| 1,952 ft.
|-
| Stott Knob
| {{coor dms|36|24|19|N|80|39|28|W}}
| 1,552 ft.
|-
| Turner Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|25|25|N|80|39|36|W}}
| 1,601 ft.
|-
| Warrior Mountain
| {{coor dms|36|28|15|N|80|52|29|W}}
| 1,958 ft.
|}
=== Major rivers ===
While there are many creeks and streams in Surry County, there are three recognized major rivers in the county, the Ararat, the Fisher, and the Mitchell. All three flow southward and are [[tributaries]] of the Yadkin River, which forms the southern border of Surry County. The Yadkin River is the northern component of the [[Pee Dee River]] which flows to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] near [[Georgetown, South Carolina]].
*[[Ararat River]]
*[[Fisher River (North Carolina)|Fisher River]]
*[[Mitchell River (North Carolina)|Mitchell River]]
*[[Yadkin River]]
== Demographics ==
=== U.S. census (2000) ===
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 71,219 people, 28,408 households, and 20,482 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was 133 people per square mile (51/km²). There were 31,033 housing units at an average density of 58 per square mile (22/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.40% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 4.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.45% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.15% from two or more races. 6.49% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
There were 28,408 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,046, and the median income for a family was $38,902. Males had a median income of $27,854 versus $20,556 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,722. About 9.10% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.
=== Cities and towns ===
[[Image:Map of Surry County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Surry County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels]]
Surry County contains only four incorporated municipalities.
*[[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]]
*[[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]]
*[[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]]
*[[Pilot Mountain, North Carolina|Pilot Mountain]]
=== Unincorporated communities ===
With 538 sq mi of total land area and only four incorporated municipalities, much of Surry County remains rural. Like much of rural North Carolina, Surry County is dotted with many unincorporated communities, some with rather colorful names. Like many rural communities, these places are centered around churches, schools, post offices, and other common gathering places that developed to serve the needs of a mostly agricultural society.
The United States [[Geographic Names Information System]] includes 68 populated places in Surry County. Four of these are the county's incorporated municipalities and seven are historical place names. Of the remaining 57, three have since been annexed by an existing city or town. Elkin Valley and North Elkin have long been part of the town of Elkin and the city of Mount Airy will complete in summer 2007 its annexation of the remaining portions of Hollyview Forest-Highland Park that remain outside of the city.<ref>[http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173350221301 Mount Airy hiring officers to patrol communities that will be annexed], published, 15 March 2007, [[Winston-Salem Journal]] (accessed 6 June 2007)</ref> Additionally, the communities of [[Jenkinstown, North Carolina|Jenkinstown]] and [[Blevins Store, North Carolina|Blevins Store]] frequently show up on county maps, although they are not officially classified as populated places by the GNIS.
<table><tr><td valign=top>
*[[Albion, North Carolina|Albion]]
*[[Ararat, North Carolina|Ararat]]
*[[Ash Hill, North Carolina|Ash Hill]]
*[[Bannertown, North Carolina|Bannertown]]
*[[Blackwater, North Carolina|Blackwater]]
*[[Blevins Store, North Carolina|Blevins Store]]
*[[Boones Hill, North Carolina|Boones Hill]]
*[[Bottom, North Carolina|Bottom]]
*[[Burch, North Carolina|Burch]]
*[[Cedar Hill, North Carolina|Cedar Hill]]
*[[Combstown, North Carolina|Combstown]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Copeland, North Carolina|Copeland]]
*[[Crooked Oak, North Carolina|Crooked Oak]]
*[[Crutchfield, North Carolina|Crutchfield]]
*[[Devotion, North Carolina|Devotion]]
*[[Fairview Crossroads, North Carolina|Fairview]]
*[[Flat Rock, Surry County, North Carolina|Flat Rock]]
*[[Franklin, Surry County, North Carolina|Franklin]]
*[[Hills Grove, North Carolina|Hills Grove]]
*[[Indian Grove, North Carolina|Indian Grove]]
*[[Jenkinstown, North Carolina|Jenkinstown]]
*[[Ladonia, North Carolina|Ladonia]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Level Cross, Surry County, North Carolina|Level Cross]]
*[[Little Richmond, North Carolina|Little Richmond]]
*[[Long Hill, North Carolina|Long Hill]]
*[[Lowgap, North Carolina|Lowgap]]
*[[Mount Herman, North Carolina|Mount Herman]]
*[[Mountain Park, North Carolina|Mountain Park]]
*[[Mulberry, Surry County, North Carolina|Mulberry]]
*[[New Hope, North Carolina|New Hope]]
*[[Oak Grove, Surry County, North Carolina|Oak Grove]]
*[[Pine Hill, North Carolina|Pine Hill]]
*[[Pine Ridge, Surry County, North Carolina|Pine Ridge]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Poplar Springs, Surry County, North Carolina|Poplar Springs]]
*[[Red Brush, North Carolina|Red Brush]]
*[[Rockford, North Carolina|Rockford]]
*[[Round Peak, North Carolina|Round Peak]]
*[[Salem, Surry County, North Carolina|Salem]]
*[[Salem Fork, North Carolina|Salem Fork]]
*[[Sheltontown, Surry County, North Carolina|Sheltontown]]
*[[Shoals, North Carolina|Shoals]]
*[[Siloam, North Carolina|Siloam]]
*[[Slate Mountain, Surry County, North Carolina|Slate Mountain]]
*[[State Road, North Carolina|State Road]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Stony Knoll, North Carolina|Stony Knoll]]
*[[Thurmond, North Carolina|Thurmond]]
*[[Turkey Ford, North Carolina|Turkey Ford]]
*[[Union Cross, Surry County, North Carolina|Union Cross]]
*[[Union Hill, Surry County, North Carolina|Union Hill]]
*[[Toast, North Carolina|Toast]]
*[[Westfield, North Carolina|Westfield]]
*[[White Plains, North Carolina|White Plains]]
*[[White Sulphur Springs, North Carolina|White Sulphur Springs]]
*[[Woodville, Surry County, North Carolina|Woodville]]
*[[Zephyr, North Carolina|Zephyr]]
</td></tr></table>
== Transportation ==
=== Airports ===
Commercial flights are available through [[Piedmont Triad International Airport]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]] and [[Charlotte/Douglas International Airport]] in [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]. Additionally, Surry County has two smaller public airports for smaller aircraft:
*[[Elkin Municipal Airport]]
*[[Mount Airy/Surry County Airport]]
===Major highways===
<table>
<td>
<table><tr><td valign=top>
*[[Image:I-74.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 74]]
*[[Image:I-77.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 77]]
*[[Image:US 21.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 21]]
*[[Image:US 52.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 52]]
*[[Image:US 601.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Highway 601]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Image:NC 18.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 18]]
*[[Image:NC 89.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 89]]
*[[Image:NC 103.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 103]]
*[[Image:NC 104.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 104]]
*[[Image:NC 268.svg|20px]] [[North Carolina Highway 268]]
</td></tr></table>
== Education ==
[[Surry Community College]], part of the [[North Carolina Community College System]], is the county's only institution for [[post-secondary education]]. Most North Carolina counties' public schools are administered by one centralized school board. However, Surry County is divided into three local school systems: Surry County Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, and Elkin City Schools.
=== Colleges and universities ===
*[http://www.surry.cc.nc.us Surry Community College]
=== High schools ===
*Early College High School of Design (on the college campus.)
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/eastsurry East Surry High School]
*[http://elkin.k12.nc.us/ehs/index.htm Elkin High School]
*[http://www.mahsbears.org/ Mount Airy High School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/nshs North Surry High School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/schs Surry Central High School]
=== Middle schools ===
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/cms Central Middle School]
*[http://elkin.k12.nc.us/ems Elkin Middle School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/gentry Gentry Middle School]
*[http://www.jonesschool.org/ Jones Intermediate School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/meadowview Meadowview Middle School]
*[http://www.mtairymiddleschool.org/ Mount Airy Middle School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/pmms Pilot Mountain Middle School]
=== Elementary schools ===
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/cre Cedar Ridge Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/copeland Copeland Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/dobson Dobson Elementary School]
*[http://elkin.k12.nc.us/ees/index.htm Elkin Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/fres Flat Rock Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/franklin/ Franklin Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/mpe Mountain Park Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/shoalsweb Shoals Elementary School]
*[http://www.tharringtonschool.org/ Tharington Primary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/westfield Westfield Elementary School]
*[http://www.surry.k12.nc.us/wpe White Plains Elementary School]
== Media ==
=== Print ===
Surry County is home to four local newspapers, the ''[[The Mount Airy News]]'' and ''[[The Messenger (Mount Airy, North Carolina)|The Messenger]]'' of Mount Airy, ''[[The Pilot (Pilot Mountain, North Carolina)|The Pilot]]'' in Pilot Mountain and ''[[The Tribune (Elkin, North Carolina)|The Tribune]]'' of Elkin. Additionally, the larger daily ''[[Winston-Salem Journal]]'' covers news and events in the county.
=== Broadcast ===
[[WIFM]] in Elkin is the county's only [[FM Broadcasting|FM]] radio station. The county also has three [[AM Broadcasting|AM]] stations, [[WYZD]] in Dobson, as well as [[WPAQ]] and [[WSYD]] in Mount Airy. There are no broadcast [[television]] stations in Surry County.
Surry County is part of the [[Piedmont Triad]] radio and television market but many broadcasts from the [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] market also can be received in Surry County.
== External links ==
*[http://www.YadkinValley.org The Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce - Serving Wilkes, Yadkin & Surry Counties]
*[http://www.co.surry.nc.us Surry County government official website]
*[http://www.surryedp.com Surry County Economic Development Partnership]
== Notes ==
<references/>
{{North_Carolina}}
{{Surry County, North Carolina}}
[[Category:North Carolina counties]]
[[Category:Surry County, North Carolina| ]]
[[ar:مقاطعة سوري، كارولاينا الشمالية]]
[[de:Surry County (North Carolina)]]
[[fr:Comté de Surry (Caroline du Nord)]]
[[bpy:সুরি কাউন্টি, নর্থ ক্যারোলাইনা]]
[[it:Contea di Surry (Carolina del Nord)]]
[[nl:Surry County (North Carolina)]]
[[no:Surry County (Nord-Carolina)]]
[[nds:Surry County (Noord-Carolina)]]
[[pt:Condado de Surry (Carolina do Norte)]]
[[sv:Surry County, North Carolina]]
[[zh:薩里縣 (北卡羅萊納州)]]