Alexander County, North Carolina
Alexander County is located in the state of North Carolina, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area and sits on the South Yadkin River. See Countryaah – Counties in North Carolina. The county was formed in 1847 from parts of Caldwell, Wilkes, and Iredell counties. It is bordered by Catawba County to the north, Iredell County to the east, Caldwell County to the south, and Wilkes County to the west.
The county seat is Taylorsville which was established in 1818 when William Moore built a gristmill on Moore’s Creek. The county covers an area of 271 square miles with a population of approximately 37,000 people. Alexander County has a mix of rural and urban areas with Taylorsville being its largest city followed by Hiddenite and Stony Point.
The landscape in Alexander County consists mostly of rolling hills with elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet above sea level. There are several creeks that run through the area including Moore’s Creek, Brier Creek, Millers Creek, Wittenburg Creek and Catawba River which all have small dams along them creating lakes for recreational activities such as fishing and boating. The terrain is mostly wooded with some open fields scattered throughout providing excellent hunting opportunities for deer and other wildlife species.
The climate in Alexander County is generally warm during summer months when temperatures can reach into the 90s but cooler during winter months when temperatures can dip into the 20s or lower at night. Annual rainfall averages 45 inches per year while snowfall averages around 8 inches per year making it ideal for winter sports enthusiasts who can enjoy skiing or snowboarding at nearby ski resorts like Sugar Mountain Resort or Appalachian Ski Mountain which are both located within an hour’s drive from Taylorsville.
Demographics of Alexander County, North Carolina
Alexander County is a predominantly rural county located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. The population is estimated to be 37,000 with a median age of 41 years old. The racial makeup of the county is 90.3% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race make up 3.7%.
The largest city in Alexander County is Taylorsville with a population of 4,066 making up 11% of the total population while smaller towns such as Stony Point and Hiddenite make up 8 and 5%, respectively. The majority of residents (83%) live in households with an average family size being 2.44 people per household.
The median household income for Alexander County is $39,939 compared to $50,584 for North Carolina as a whole. 16% of the population lives below the poverty line and 28% receive some form of government assistance.
The unemployment rate for Alexander County stands at 4%, slightly lower than the national average which is 4.9%. The major industries that drive employment here are manufacturing (21%), health care (14%), educational services (12%), construction (10%), retail trade (9%) and professional services (8%).
Alexander County has seen considerable growth over the past decade due to its proximity to larger cities such as Hickory and Charlotte which have seen an influx of new businesses and jobs into their respective areas resulting in increased economic activity throughout the region as a whole.
Places of Interest in Alexander County, North Carolina
Alexander County, North Carolina is home to a variety of places of interest that offer something for everyone. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the scenic vistas at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir and the many trails in South Mountains State Park. The area also offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, boating, and hunting on nearby lakes and rivers.
The county is also home to several cultural attractions including the Alexander County Museum which houses an impressive collection of local artifacts from the area’s history. The Hickory Museum of Art and Hickory Community Theatre are also located nearby in Hickory and offer a variety of art exhibitions and performances throughout the year.
The annual Alexander County Fair is held each summer at the fairgrounds in Taylorsville and features rides, food vendors, live music, agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, craft and antique shows, carnival games, demolition derbies and much more.
For those looking for a unique shopping experience there are several antique stores in Taylorsville as well as several boutiques selling locally made crafts such as jewelry, pottery and woodworkings. There are also numerous restaurants offering everything from traditional Southern fare to international cuisine.
With its picturesque countryside setting Alexander County provides visitors with plenty of opportunities for relaxation or adventure making it an ideal destination for those seeking an unforgettable experience.
Notable People of Alexander County, North Carolina
Alexander County, North Carolina has a long history of producing notable people from a variety of different walks of life. Notable people from the county include former President James K. Polk who was born in the county and served his country as the 11th President of the United States.
The county is also home to many prominent figures in the fields of politics and business including U.S. Congressman Mark Walker who represents North Carolina’s 6th congressional district and businesswoman Belinda Skelton-McClain who is the founder and CEO of Skelton-McClain Group, LLC.
Other notable people from Alexander County include renowned author Lee Smith who was born in Taylorsville, musician Roy Acuff who was born in Mayland, and professional golfer Webb Simpson who attended nearby South Iredell High School.
Alexander County has also produced several prominent athletes including former NFL running back Amos Lawrence, NBA player Rodney White, MLB pitcher Jaret Wright, and NASCAR driver Ricky Craven all of whom attended local high schools or colleges in the area.
The county is also home to many talented actors such as Richard Gere and Dabney Coleman both of whom attended nearby Oak Ridge Military Academy as well as singer/songwriter John Prine who was born in Mayland.
Alexander County is an area rich with history, culture and talent that has produced some truly remarkable individuals over its centuries-long existence.
