Reidsville, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Reidsville, North Carolina
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Reidsville, North Carolina


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Rockingham
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 38.6
area_land_km2 = 34.6
area_water_km2 = 3.9
area_total_sq_mi = 14.9
area_land_sq_mi = 13.4
area_water_sq_mi = 1.5

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 14485
population_density_km2 = 418.2
population_density_sq_mi = 1083.1

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 253
elevation_ft = 830
latd = 36 |latm = 20 |lats = 43 |latNS = N
longd = 79 |longm = 40 |longs = 30 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 27320-27323
area_code = 336
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-55900GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1022217GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Reidsville is a city located in Rockingham County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 14,485.

Originally established in the early 19th century as an outpost and stop on the stage line that ran between Salisbury, NC and Danville, VA called Wrights Crossroads, the Reidsville community grew from a single home and Inn owned by the family of Reuben Reid (a local farmer, businessman, and justice of the peace who was the father of David S. Reid) into a thriving farming community primarily supporting tobacco production and cigarette manufacturing. Reidsville was officially incorporated by the North Carolina State Legislature in 1873 and became a key location of the American Tobacco Company which employed large numbers of city and county residents. The American Tobacco Company was the mainstay of Reidsville economics until its sale and closure in 1994. Many textile mills were established in Reidsville as well, with Cone Mills and Burlington Industries consolidating most of them in the mid-twentieth century, though most have now closed. Although Reidsville has experienced economic recession in recent years the community has enjoyed a renewal of growth as a sleeper city supplying a source of rural development for the surrounding larger cities.

Geography

Reidsville is located at 36°20'43" North, 79°40'30" West (36.345347, -79.675094)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.9 square miles (38.6 km²), of which, 13.4 square miles (34.6 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it is water. The total area is 10.14% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 14,485 people, 6,013 households, and 3,902 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.1 people per square mile (418.3/km²). There were 6,477 housing units at an average density of 484.3/sq mi (187.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 57.02% White, 39.52% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.35% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 2.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,013 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,040, and the median income for a family was $37,553. Males had a median income of $30,745 versus $21,991 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,414. 15.1% of the population and 11.6% of families were below the poverty line. 23.9% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Famous Residents

*R. Stephen Ritchie, the only Air Force pilot ace of the Vietnam War. He ran unsuccessfully to represent the area in Congress in 1974.
*Jim Duncan, former football player and coach. He was an All-Southern Conference player at Wake Forest University from 1947-1949 and was the Team MVP in 1949. He was also a Linebacker and defensive end for New York Giants from 1950–1955. He was the head football coach at Appalachian State from 1960–1964 and with the Calgary Stampeders of Canadian Football League from 1969–1973. [ [http://www.ncshof.org/inductees_detail.php?i_recid=84 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame | Raleigh, NC ] ]
*Jerome Simpson, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.reidsville.nc.us/ Official website of Reidsville, NC]
* [http://www.downtownreidsvillenc.com/ Reidsville Downtown Corporation]
* [http://www.reidsvillechamber.net/ The Reidsville Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://arcims.webgis.net/nc/rockingham/ Rockingham County Interactive Geographic Information System]
* [http://www.reidsvillereview.com/ The Reidsville Review]
* [http://www.rockinghamtattler.com/ The Rockingham Tattler]
* [http://www.mondaynightlive.info/ Monday Night Live Show with Mark Childrey & Ken Echols]
* [http://www.rockinghammovies.com/ The Rockingham Theatre]
* [http://rockcrime.blogspot.com/ Rockingham Crime Spree]