Burnsville, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Burnsville is a town in Yancey County
, North Carolina
, United States
. The population was 1,623 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Yancey County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,623 people, 748 households, and 412 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,028.0 people per square mile (396.6/km²). There were 845 housing units at an average density of 535.2 per square mile (206.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.50% White, 1.91% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.86% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% of the population.
There were 748 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 42.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 30.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 75.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $21,653, and the median income for a family was $34,712. Males had a median income of $30,227 versus $25,234 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,894. About 15.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
, a naval hero of the War of 1812
. In 1909 a statue
of Captain Burns was given to the town by his grandson, Walter Francis Burns, Sr. and was set on a granite pedestal in the center of the town square. It has an inscription which reads, in part, "He Guarded Well Our Seas, Let Our Mountains Honor Him." Due to damages, the original statue was replaced in the early 2000s.
One of the oldest buildings is the Nu-Wray Inn
, built in 1833 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. http://www.hpo.dcr.state.nc.us/nrlist.htm
The Parkway Playhouse, the oldest continually operating summer stock theater company is located in Burnsville, and was started in 1947 by W.R. Taylor (a professor of drama from the Woman's College of North Carolina-now the University of North Carolina-Greensboro) and a group of dedicated community leaders.
In 2010, the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair observed its 54th anniversary. This event, which attracts thousands of unique artists and tourists is held during the first weekend of August.
On April 6, 2010, the Town of Burnsville, the only incorporated town within Yancey County, held a referendum providing for the legal sale of alcohol within the town limits. The referendum passed, effectively ending prohibition in Yancey County. After applying for and receiving the applicable permits, Burnsville may now operate an ABC store; retail establishments may now sell beer and wine; and restaurants may sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Graham County is the last remaining dry county in the state of North Carolina.
, used as a hotel since its construction in 1833.
The Parkway Playhouse
, founded in 1947, is the oldest operating community theater in North Carolina.
John Wesley McElroy House
, built circa 1830s and now in use as a museum.
Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River
.
Yancey County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,774 people, 7,472 households, and 5,372 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,729 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,623 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Yancey County
Yancey County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 17,774 people, 7,472 households, and 5,372 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,729 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
.
Geography
Burnsville is located at 35°55′7"N 82°17′51"W (35.918542, -82.297549).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,623 people, 748 households, and 412 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,028.0 people per square mile (396.6/km²). There were 845 housing units at an average density of 535.2 per square mile (206.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.50% White, 1.91% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.86% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.88% of the population.
There were 748 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.9% were non-families. 42.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the town the population was spread out with 18.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 30.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 75.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $21,653, and the median income for a family was $34,712. Males had a median income of $30,227 versus $25,234 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,894. About 15.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.2% of those under age 18 and 19.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
The town was founded on March 6, 1834, from land conveyed by John "Yellow Jacket" Bailey, and named after Captain Otway BurnsOtway Burns
Otway Burns was an American privateer during the War of 1812 and later, a North Carolina State Senator.-Early life:...
, a naval hero of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. In 1909 a statue
Statue
A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...
of Captain Burns was given to the town by his grandson, Walter Francis Burns, Sr. and was set on a granite pedestal in the center of the town square. It has an inscription which reads, in part, "He Guarded Well Our Seas, Let Our Mountains Honor Him." Due to damages, the original statue was replaced in the early 2000s.
One of the oldest buildings is the Nu-Wray Inn
Nu-Wray Inn
The Nu Wray Inn is an historic hotel in Burnsville, North Carolina. It was built in 1833 at the time Yancey County was formed and a year before Burnsville was established. It was originally built of logs and had eight bedrooms and a dining room and kitchen. It is listed on the National Register of...
, built in 1833 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. http://www.hpo.dcr.state.nc.us/nrlist.htm
The Parkway Playhouse, the oldest continually operating summer stock theater company is located in Burnsville, and was started in 1947 by W.R. Taylor (a professor of drama from the Woman's College of North Carolina-now the University of North Carolina-Greensboro) and a group of dedicated community leaders.
In 2010, the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair observed its 54th anniversary. This event, which attracts thousands of unique artists and tourists is held during the first weekend of August.
On April 6, 2010, the Town of Burnsville, the only incorporated town within Yancey County, held a referendum providing for the legal sale of alcohol within the town limits. The referendum passed, effectively ending prohibition in Yancey County. After applying for and receiving the applicable permits, Burnsville may now operate an ABC store; retail establishments may now sell beer and wine; and restaurants may sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Graham County is the last remaining dry county in the state of North Carolina.
Sights
The Nu-Wray InnNu-Wray Inn
The Nu Wray Inn is an historic hotel in Burnsville, North Carolina. It was built in 1833 at the time Yancey County was formed and a year before Burnsville was established. It was originally built of logs and had eight bedrooms and a dining room and kitchen. It is listed on the National Register of...
, used as a hotel since its construction in 1833.
The Parkway Playhouse
Parkway Playhouse
The Parkway Playhouse, located in Burnsville, North Carolina, is the oldest continually operating summer theater in North Carolina.It was established in 1947 by W.R...
, founded in 1947, is the oldest operating community theater in North Carolina.
John Wesley McElroy House
John Wesley McElroy House
The John Wesley McElroy house is a museum in Burnsville, North Carolina, United States. The vernacular Federal-Greek Revival style house, which was built in the 1840s, is on the National Register of Historic Places.- History :...
, built circa 1830s and now in use as a museum.
Mt. Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.