Alexander County, North Carolina

Alexander County is a county established in the U.S. state of North Carolina in 1847. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,198.[1] Its county seat is Taylorsville.[2][3]

Alexander County
U.S. county
The Brushy Mountains in Alexander County
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°55′N 81°11′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1847
Named forWilliam Julius Alexander
SeatTaylorsville
Largest townTaylorsville
Area
 • Total264 sq mi (680 km2)
 • Land260 sq mi (700 km2)
 • Water3.7 sq mi (10 km2)  1.4%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
37,497
 • Density143/sq mi (55/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitealexandercountync.gov

Alexander County is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Alexander County was formed in 1847 from portions of what were then Iredell (formed in 1788 from Rowan County), Caldwell (formed from Burke County in 1841), and Wilkes (formed from Surry County and Washington District in 1771) counties. Alexander County was named for William Julius Alexander who was a Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. This Piedmont area was settled primarily by farmers, many of Scots-Irish descent, as well as German descent in the southern section of Alexander County.[4][5]

Area of North Carolina in 1833 that would become Alexander County in 1847, showing portions of Wilkes, Iredell and Surry counties
Alexander County, North Carolina Map from 1854

Alexander County was established by two acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, one ratified on January 15 and one ratified on January 18, 1847. These acts were not to take effect until it was determined that Caldwell County would have 5,000 people in it. On August 10–11, 1847, the first sale of land in the county seat (Taylorsville) took place. Taylorsville is the namesake of either John Louis Taylor, Carolina agriculturist and political philosopher, or General Zachary Taylor, the twelfth president of the United States. With the proceeds from the sale, the county built the first courthouse on the present site.[6]

When the American Civil War began, Alexander County was fourteen years old. The 1860 population was 5,837; yet Alexander County ranked high per capita in the number of Confederate soldiers it sent to the war. The court house records in Taylorsville were destroyed by troops under Major General George Stoneman in a raid on Easter Sunday in 1865.[7]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 264 square miles (680 km2), of which 260 square miles (670 km2) is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2) (1.4%) is water.[8]

Alexander County is located within the Foothills region of western North Carolina. The county's main geographic feature is the Brushy Mountains, a deeply eroded spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The "Brushies," as they are called locally, rise from 300 to 1,000 feet (300 m) above the surrounding countryside, and dominate the county's northern horizon. The highest point in Alexander County is Hickory Knob in the Brushies; it has an elevation of 2,560 feet (780 m) above sea level. Barrett Mountain, an isolated mountain ridge, is in the western part of the county. The remainder of Alexander County's terrain consists of gently rolling countryside. The county's largest river, the Catawba, forms its southern border.

Within Alexander County is the unincorporated town of Hiddenite, the location of a mine that yields emeralds, sapphires, and its namesake stone "hiddenite," a variety of spodumene.

The county is served by US Highway 64, a controlled-access roadway connecting Taylorsville with Lenoir and Statesville. NC Highways 90, 16, and 127 also serve the county. Interstate 40 and 77 are 30 minutes from the majority of county residents. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is an hour's drive from most parts of the county. The area is also served by the Hickory Regional Airport (30 minutes) and the Statesville Airport (20 minutes). The Alexander Railroad Company is an active short-line rail system operating between Taylorsville and Statesville, and connecting with Norfolk Southern.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18505,220—
18606,02215.4%
18706,86814.0%
18808,35521.7%
18909,43012.9%
190010,96016.2%
191011,5925.8%
192012,2125.3%
193012,9225.8%
194013,4544.1%
195014,5548.2%
196015,6257.4%
197019,46624.6%
198024,99928.4%
199027,54410.2%
200033,60322.0%
201037,19810.7%
2019 (est.)37,497[9]0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2014[1]

As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 33,603 people, 13,137 households, and 9,747 families residing in the county. The population density was 129 people per square mile (50/km2). There were 14,098 housing units at an average density of 54 per square mile (21/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.00% White, 4.63% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 1.34% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 2.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 13,137 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.50% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,684, and the median income for a family was $45,691. Males had a median income of $29,857 versus $21,868 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,507. About 5.90% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.20% of those under age 18 and 14.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities
Map of Alexander County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Town
  • Taylorsville (county seat since 1847): First post master was Alexander C. McIntosh. Post office since 11/26/1847. Formerly called James Cross Roads in Iredell County prior to 1847.

Townships

By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, counties were divided into non-functioning county subdivisions called townships. There are eight townships in Alexander County:[15][16]

  • Ellendale
  • Gwaltneys
  • Little River
  • Millers
  • Sharpes
  • Sugar Loaf
  • Taylorsville
  • Wittenburg

Census-designated places
  • Bethlehem
  • Hiddenite: First postmaster was Quintis C. Patterson. Post office since February 10, 1888.
  • Stony Point: First postmaster was John A. Murchison. Post office since October 21, 1847.

Unincorporated communities

Unincorporated communities in Alexander County include:[16]

  • Drumstand: Site of Drumstand community building[17]
  • Ellendale: The first postmaster was William S. McLeod. Post office from July 1, 1880 to January 30, 1904.
  • Little River: The first postmaster was Burton Reid. Post office from November 10, 1852 to September 15, 1906. 1841 to 1847 part of Caldwell County, part of Burke County before 1841.
  • Millersville[17]
  • Sugar Loaf[17]
  • Vashti: The first postmaster was Humphrey T. Cambell. Post office from February 12, 1886 to March 31, 1903.
  • Wittenburg(s): The first postmaster was Joseph B. Bradburn. Post office from May 31, 1848 to March 15, 1909. Before 1847, part of Caldwell County.

Historic post offices and other sites

Historical post offices that were part of Alexander County include:[16]

  • Mount Pisgah: First postmaster was Reuben O. Bennett. Post office from April 9, 1849 to April 15, 1909.
  • Elk Shoal: First postmaster was Ephraim M. Alexander. Post office from March 5, 1852 to November 26, 1852. Post office changed to Elk Shoal #2 on September 27, 1858 with David M. Moore as post master. Became part of Iredell County in 1868. Changed to Elk Shoal #3 in 1881 and became part of Alexander County. New postmaster was Nicholas L. Norton on August 4, 1881. Post office discontinued on January 15, 1901.
  • York Collegiate Institute: First postmaster was Richard W. York. Post office from December 13, 1855 to April 2, 1859. Name was changed to Montane Female Academy on April 2, 1859 with Thaddeus L. Troy as postmaster until November 28, 1859 when the name was changed back to York Collegiate Institute with Harrison L. Smith as postmaster. Post office discontinued on December 4, 1903.
  • Salem Grove: First postmaster was William W. Teague. Post office lasted from August 7 to August 9, 1872.
  • Jumping Run: First postmaster was James F. Gryder. Post office from August 15, 1871 to October 15, 1872.
  • Cedar Run: First postmaster was John H. Ellis. Post office from February 9, 1876 to September 14, 1903.
  • Little River: First postmaster was Burton Reid. Post office from November 10, 1952 to September 15, 1906. Formerly in Burke County before 1841 and Caldwell County in 1841.
  • Mount Bethel: First postmaster was Adam P. Bohick. Post office from May 8, 1876 to March 15, 1913.
  • Barnetts Mountain: First postmaster was David L. Mitchell. Post office from December 29, 1876 to April 13, 1881.
  • Kilby: First postmaster was Leander R. Goforth. Post office from May 3, 1880 to May 15, 1905.
  • Pilgrim: First postmaster was William E. Millsope. Post office from June 30, 1880 to October 15, 1882.
  • Bentley: First postmaster was William W. Teague. Post office from January 24, 1881 to September 30, 1941.
  • Hedrick: First postmaster was Edward L. Hedrick. Post office from October 7, 1881 to September 30, 1903.
  • Broad Shoals: First postmaster was Thomas Little. Post office from October 31, 1881 to November 15, 1904.
  • Grade: First postmaster was John P. Brewer. Post office from June 11, 1882 to May 15, 1900. Originally Iredell County and became Alexander County in 1888.

Other historic sites

Lucas Mansion in Hiddenite
  • Old Jail Museum: 1919 jail in Taylorsville, now a museum[17]
  • Lucas Mansion: Restored turn of the century home of James "Diamond Jim" Lucas in Hiddenite Center[17]
  • Friendship Church: Lutheran and Evangelical church organized in 1833, near Taylorsville[4]
  • Linney's Mill: Built in 1790 by Richard Cook. Located on the northeast corner of Alexander County, it is still operational.[18]
  • Little River Baptist Church: first association meeting in 1771 (in what became Alexander County in 1847), church erected in 1786, originally called "Old Meeting House"[7]

Population ranking

The population of cities, towns, and Census Designated Places (CDP) is shown in the following table is based on the 2010 census of Alexander County.[19]

Population Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Bethlehem CDP 4,214
2 Taylorsville (county seat) Town 2,098
3 Stony Point (partially in Iredell County) CDP 1,317
4 Hiddenite CDP 536

Politics, law and government

Alexander is currently a powerfully Republican county in Presidential elections. The only Democrat to carry the county in the past nineteen Presidential contests has been Jimmy Carter in 1976, although Barry Goldwater won the county by a mere thirty-eight votes in 1964. In contrast, Hillary Clinton in 2016 obtained barely twenty percent of the county's vote. The county did vote mainly Democratic during the Third Party System, but Populist sentiments in the 1890s have meant the county has supported that party only five times since 1896.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 76.0% 13,893 20.6% 3,767 3.3% 611
2012 71.3% 12,253 26.8% 4,611 1.9% 332
2008 68.3% 11,790 30.0% 5,167 1.7% 297
2004 70.1% 10,928 29.6% 4,618 0.4% 54
2000 68.5% 9,242 30.9% 4,166 0.6% 84
1996 57.5% 6,748 33.7% 3,955 8.8% 1,027
1992 49.6% 6,764 35.6% 4,849 14.8% 2,013
1988 65.6% 7,968 34.1% 4,148 0.3% 38
1984 70.2% 8,502 29.6% 3,581 0.2% 24
1980 57.4% 6,376 40.9% 4,546 1.7% 187
1976 46.7% 4,661 53.0% 5,287 0.3% 27
1972 69.0% 5,865 29.0% 2,468 2.0% 173
1968 52.0% 4,379 21.8% 1,834 26.2% 2,203
1964 50.3% 3,760 49.8% 3,722
1960 51.4% 4,175 48.7% 3,956
1956 58.2% 3,767 41.8% 2,710
1952 57.4% 3,597 42.6% 2,665
1948 48.0% 2,314 42.7% 2,057 9.4% 452
1944 56.6% 2,971 43.4% 2,282
1940 44.7% 2,217 55.3% 2,739
1936 42.9% 2,451 57.1% 3,262
1932 39.6% 1,952 59.9% 2,953 0.6% 28
1928 60.2% 2,605 39.8% 1,722
1924 51.3% 2,437 48.3% 2,291 0.4% 20
1920 56.4% 2,643 43.6% 2,045
1916 55.4% 1,187 44.6% 954
1912 27.9% 523 45.5% 852 26.6% 497

Alexander County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

Transportation

Major highways

Railroads

The county is served by one railroad, the Alexander Railroad Company.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Vocci, Robert Blair (2006). "Alexander County, North Carolina". NCPedia. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  4. Crouse, Andrew Leonhardt (1905). Historical Sketches of Alexander County, North Carolina, Friendship Lutheran Church, Hopewell Reformed Church, and Charity Baptist Church, and of the Bowman and Fry Families. Hickory, North Carolina. Archived from the original on 2021-01-01. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  5. Martin, Jonathan. "Alexander County (1847)". North Carolina History Project. John Locke Foundation. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
  6. White, William E. (1926). Taylorsville Times (ed.). A History of Alexander County, North Carolina (PDF). Retrieved June 3, 2019., Alternate: "A History of Alexander County, North Carolina". Barnes Oxford Foundation. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  7. Lewis, J.D. "Alexander County, North Carolina". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  8. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  12. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 1996-12-27. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. "North Carolina Constitution of 1868" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
  16. Lewis, J.D. "Alexander County Post Offices". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  17. "Alexander County Comprehensive Plan" (PDF). Alexander County Board of Commissioners. April 21, 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  18. "Linney's Mill". Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  19. Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on 2018-03-23. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  • Powell, William S., ed. (2006). Alexander County. Encyclopedia of North Carolina (University of North Carolina Press: Chapel Hill, NC.
  • Allen, Sara C. Allen, ed. (1985). The Heritage of Alexander County, North Carolina.
  • Lewis, J.D. "Alexander County, North Carolina". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

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