Thomasville, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Thomasville, North Carolina
settlement_type = City
nickname = Chair City
website = http://www.ci.thomasville.nc.us/


imagesize =
image_caption =
image_



mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Davidson County and the state of North Carolina


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_name2 = Davidson, Randolph
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Joe G. Bennett
established_date =
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_sq_mi = 11.1
area_land_sq_mi = 11.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_percent =
area_total_km2 = 28.9
area_land_km2 = 28.9
area_water_km2 = 0.0
latd = 35 |latm = 53 |lats = 9 |latNS = N
longd = 80 |longm = 4 |longs = 38 |longEW = W
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 26,298
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
elevation_ft = 840
elevation_m = 256
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 27360-27361
area_code = 336
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-67420GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1022940GR|3
footnotes =

Thomasville is a city in Davidson and Randolph counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 19,788 at the 2000 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state's oldest festival, "Everybody's Day". Built around the local railway system, Thomasville is home to the oldest railroad depot in the state, just a few hundred feet from the city's most notable landmark, "The Big Chair".

Big Chair

Thomasville is commonly referred to as the "Chair Town" or "Chair City" or "The Big Chair", in reference to a 30 foot landmark replica of a Duncan Phyfe armchair that rests in the middle of the city. The original "Big Chair" was constructed in 1922 by the Thomasville Chair Company (now Thomasville Furniture Industries) out of lumber and Swiss steer hide to reflect the city's prominent furniture industry. However, this chair was scrapped in 1936 after 15 years of exposure to the weather. In 1951, a larger concrete version of the chair was erected with the collaboration of local businesses and civic organizations and still remains today. The Big Chair gained national attention in 1960 when then Presidential Candidate Lyndon B. Johnson greeted supporters on the monument during a campaign whistle stop. It has even been featured on "Ripley's Believe It or Not!". Although larger ones have been built, many Thomasville residents still boast that the Big Chair between the two Main Streets is the "World's Largest Chair".

Geography

Thomasville is located at coor dms|35|53|9|N|80|4|38|W|city (35.885848, -80.077323)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.1 square miles (28.9 km²).None of the area is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 19,788 people, 7,978 households, and 5,305 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,775.2 people per square mile (685.2/km²). There were 8,515 housing units at an average density of 763.9/sq mi (294.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.63% White, 23.91% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 3.83% from other races, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.93% of the population.

There were 7,978 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,972, and the median income for a family was $35,933. Males had a median income of $27,479 versus $20,968 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,045. About 11.8% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.

Thomasville's population has grown much faster than the rest of North Carolina and the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that as of 2005 Thomasville's population reached 25,872, an annual average growth of over 6% from 2000. North Carolina grew at an average rate of 1.6%, and the United States grew at an average rate of 1%.

Manufacturing

Thomasville has been historically associated with furniture and cabinetry manufacture, as well as for a wholesale and retail furniture market. "Thomasville" is used as a trade designation for artisan furniture.

Local sports

Thomasville Senior High School Bulldogs won the state 1AA Football Championship for three consecutive years.

The Thomasville Bulldogs are well known throughout the state for excelling in athletics, especially football. Fact|date=July 2008 The 1995 Bulldogs were the first team in the history of NC football to go 16-0. Fact|date=July 2008

In 2005, The Bulldogs were the first school in the history of NC athletics to win championships in Football, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, and Men’s Soccer. Fact|date=July 2008

Thomasville Bulldogs Championships

Thomasville is also home to the Thomasville HiToms of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate league sanctioned by the NCAA. The HiToms won the 2006 and 2007 Petitt Cup, the Coastal Plain League Championship. The HiToms play at Historic Finch Field, which was built in 1935. From 1937-1969, Finch Field was the home to many minor league teams. Hall of Famers such as Eddie Mathews and Curt Flood once played for the HiToms.

Notable residents

*Brian Vickers, NASCAR driver
*Brad Hoover, Carolina Panthers
*George Lambeth, [http://www.national-bass.com/ National Bass Circuit Yadkin Division]
*Bobby Labonte, NASCAR Driver
*Madison Hedgecock, New York Giants
*Brandon Setzer, East Carolina University
*Quandarius Warley, Western Carolina University
*E.J. Abrams-Ward, University of Tennessee

Media

Print

" The Thomasville Times", a tri-weekly community newspaper, covers the city. In addition, three larger daily Triad newspapers cover Thomasville: " The Winston-Salem Journal", "The High Point Enterprise" and "The Greensboro News & Record".

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.thomasville.nc.us/ Official website of Thomasville, NC]
* [http://www.co.davidson.nc.us/library/1141.asp Thomasville Public Library]
* [http://www.thomasvilletourism.com/attractions/bigchair.htm Thomasville Tourism Commission - The Big Chair]
* [http://www.preserveamerica.gov/PAcommunity-thomasvilleNC.html Preserve America - Thomasville, NC]