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Winston-Salem Background
Winston-Salem is a city located in Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2000 census, the
city had a total population of 185,776. It is the county seat of Forsyth County.
The Old Salem district and related Historic Bethabara site are the city’s oldest historical attractions.
Also of historical interest is Reynolda Village (which includes Reynolda Gardens and the Reynolda House Museum
of American Art). Other sites of interest include the Horne Creek Historic Farm, Tanglewood Park, the SciWorks
educational facility, and SECCA, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art.
Winston-Salem is also the location of the corporate headquarters of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco corporation, the
Krispy Kreme corporation and Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T). The Wachovia Corporation was also based
in Winston-Salem until it moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2001.
In December 2004, the city landed a deal with Dell, Inc. to build a computer assembly plant nearby in southeastern
Forsyth County, near the junction of Interstate 40 and US Route 311. The city provided Dell with $37.2 million dollars
in incentive packages to attract Dell, and North Carolina contributed $240 million in tax incentives. The incentive
package has sparked a lawsuit and received criticism including that of state representative Paul Luebke, who said
that he thinks "North Carolina dramatically overpaid Dell to come here."
The Metropolitan Combined Statistical Area of Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point has a July 1, 2004 population of
1,335,217 Source: US Bureau of the Census Released April 2005
History
Salem
The origin of the town of Salem dates back to January 1753, when Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg, on behalf of the
Moravian church, selected a settlement site which he called "Muddy Creek du Wachau" (Wachovia, named after the Austrian
estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf). The land, just short of 99,000 acres (400 km²), was subsequently
purchased from John Carteret, 1st Earl Granville.
On November 17, 1753, the first settlers arrived at what would later become the town of Bethabara. This town, despite
its rapid growth, was not designed to be the primary settlement on the tract. Instead, the guidance of the Lord was
sought for selection of a new town by drawing lots among sites which were suitable. The town established on the chosen
site was given the name of Salem (for "peace").
Winston
In 1849 the town of Winston was founded, named after a local hero of the Revolutionary War, Joseph Winston, who was
well-known in the town of Salem. Shortly thereafter both Winston and Salem were incorporated into the newly formed Forsyth
County, It thrived as an industrial town, producing tobacco products, furniture and textiles. In 1851 Winston was designated
the county seat, and, with plans to connect the cities of Winston and Salem, the county courthouse square was placed just
one mile north of Salem’s square.
Winston-Salem
In 1889, the United States Postal Service combined the mail offices for the two towns, and the towns were officially joined
as "Winston-Salem" in 1913.
The Reynolds family played a large role in the history and public life of Winston-Salem.
Geography
Winston-Salem is located at 36°6’10" North, 80°15’38" West (36.102764, -80.260491).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 283.9 km² (109.6 mi²). 281.9 km² (108.8 mi²) of
it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.71% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 185,776 people, 76,247 households, and 46,205 families residing in the city. The population
density is 659.0/km² (1,706.7/mi²). There are 82,593 housing units at an average density of 293.0/km² (758.8/mi²). The racial
makeup of the city is 55.57% White, 37.10% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.29%
from other races, and 1.56% from two or more races. 8.64% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 76,247 households out of which 28.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% are married couples
living together, 16.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% are non-families. 33.4% of all households
are made up of individuals and 10.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is
2.32 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from
45 to 64, and 13.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 88.7 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,006, and the median income for a family is $46,595. Males have a median
income of $32,398 versus $26,335 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,468. 15.2% of the population and 11.3%
of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.0% of those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65
and older are living below the poverty line.
Winston-Salem is served by Greensboro, North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad International Airport. The airport also serves much
of the surrounding area, including High Point, North Carolina.
Economy
Many major companies including Krispy Kreme, R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, and Wachovia were founded in Winston-Salem. Although
traditionally associated with the textile, furniture, and tobacco industries, Winston-Salem is attempting to attract new businesses
in the nanotech, high-tech and bio-tech fields. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is the largest employer in Winston-Salem.
Education
Winston-Salem’s public school system is Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, which has most of its schools inside Winston-Salem.
WS/FC Schools include 41 elementary schools, 17 middle schools and 15 high schools. Winston-Salem also has many great universities,
including: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina School of the Arts, Salem College, Piedmont Baptist
College, and Winston-Salem Bible College. Private and Parochial schools also make up a significant portion of Winston-Salem’s
educational establishment. Until 2001 Winston-Salem was home to Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School (now in Kernersville, N.C.),
one of only 3 Catholic High Schools in North Carolina. Catholic elementary schools include St. Leo The Great and Our Lady of Mercy
(which now resides on the same location as the original Bishop McGuinness). Forsyth Country Day School and Summit School are the
preeminent secular private schools in the city.
Museums
Museums are an important portion of Winston-Salem’s heritage. The Reynolda House Museum of American Art (built by the founder
of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company) is Winston-Salem’s premiere museum. The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA)
is a local art museum worthy of interest. The Wake Forest University Museum of Anthropology is an excellent anthropological museum,
maintained by Wake Forest University, that has many fascinating artifacts and other important pieces of history. The city also offers
places oriented for children. SciWorks is a fun, interactive museum for children, teaching basics in all areas of science, and offering
fun experiments and educational tours. The Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem is based on classic stories and fairy tales and has
several offering for younger children.
Art
Winston-Salem is often referred to as the "City of the Arts," in part because of its history, in having the first arts council in the
United States, founded in 1949, and for the local art schools and attractions. These include the North Carolina School of the Arts,
the Piedmont Opera Theater, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Stevens Center for the Performing Arts, and the Sawtooth Center for Visual
Arts. There are many galleries and workshops in the city’s art district centered at Sixth and Trade streets. The city plays host
to the National Black Theatre Festival and the RiverRun Film Festival. Winston-Salem is also the home of the Art-o-mat, and houses
nine of them throughout the city.
Sports
Winston-Salem provides many athletic attractions. The Warthogs are a Winston-Salem based Minor-League baseball team. They play at
Ernie Shore Field, and provide entertainment for many residents. Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State both have great basketball
teams that are typically well ranked in the country. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series racing takes place from March until August at
city-owned Bowman Gray Stadium, after which the stadium is converted for football and is used by Winston-Salem State University
for Rams games. Groves Stadium is the stadium used by Wake Forest football games, seating 31,500, and is part of the Lawrence
Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum Complex. Besides major sports, Winston-Salem offers a variety of community and children’s
programs. Winston-Salem’s YMCAs are a great place for exercise and athletics for both children and adults. Community
recreation centers also provide cost-effective exercise and sports. Dodgeball is a recreational sport that has recently gained
regional interest. Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation also maintains several community pools for which memberships are available.
Source: wikipedia.org
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