Winston-Salem is home to several major universities and colleges; Wake
Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina School
of the Arts and Salem Academy and College. Winston-Salem is also the
location of the corporate headquarters of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
corporation and the Krispy Kreme corporation. The Wachovia Corporation was
also based in Winston-Salem until it moved to Charlotte, North Carolina,
in 2001.
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 Lewis von Zinzendorf). The
land (just short of 99,000 acres) 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 Bethabera. 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.
Geography
Winston-Salem is located at 36°6'10" North, 80°15'38" West (36.102764,
-80.260491)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
283.9 km˛ (109.6 mi˛). 281.9 km˛ (108.8 mi˛) of it is land and 2.0 km˛
(0.8 mi˛) 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/km˛
(1,706.7/mi˛). There are 82,593 housing units at an average density of
293.0/km˛ (758.8/mi˛). 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 people living in poverty, 22.0% are under the age of 18
and 11.1% are 65 or older.
Winston-Salem is served by Greensboro, North Carolina's Piedmont Triad
International Airport. The airport also serves High Point, North Carolina.
