Dallas, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Dallas is a town in Gaston County
, North Carolina
and a suburb of both Charlotte
and Gastonia
. The population was 3,402 at the 2000 census. It was named for George M. Dallas
, Vice President of the United States of America under James K. Polk
.
and about 20 miles west of Charlotte
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.
Dallas lies within the Long Creek watershed. Long Creek is a right tributary of the South Fork Catawba River. Dallas is drained by Long Creek tributaries Dallas Branch and Little Long Creek.
for Gaston County from 1846 until 1911. The old Gaston County courthouse, renovated in 1868 after a fire, still stands in the main square of the town and formerly served as the Dallas Police Department. The town government is planning to renovate the courthouse into a meeting and events space.
Dallas began to decline in importance when the town commissioners refused to appropriate money for construction of bridges over several creeks for the Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway
in the 1872. The commissioners said the reason was because residents thought that trains would wake them during the night and frighten their livestock. After this the county seat was relocated to Gastonia in 1911.
of 2000, there were 3,402 people, 1,324 households, and 879 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,966.7 people per square mile (759.3/km2). There were 1,440 housing units at an average density of 832.5 per square mile (321.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.34% White, 22.49% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.06% from other races
, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
There were 1,324 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples
living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,075, and the median income for a family was $32,073. Males had a median income of $29,643 versus $20,810 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,819. About 14.1% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.
, a community college
offering Associate Degree, Certificate, and Diploma programs. It is located on U.S. Highway 321 west of the city's business district.
Dallas is home to Costner Elementary, Carr Elementary, W.C. Friday Middle School, and North Gaston High School.
. This is the list of the Television
stations available in Dallas:
Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston County is a county located just west of Charlotte in the southern Piedmont in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third largest county, by population, in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, officially designated the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of...
, 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...
and a suburb of both Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
and Gastonia
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
. The population was 3,402 at the 2000 census. It was named for George M. Dallas
George M. Dallas
George Mifflin Dallas was a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and the 11th Vice President of the United States , serving under James K. Polk.-Family and early life:...
, Vice President of the United States of America under James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
.
Geography
Dallas is located at 35.314816°N 81.175215°W (35.314816, -81.175215). It is approximately three miles north of the City of GastoniaGastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
and about 20 miles west of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
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 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.
Dallas lies within the Long Creek watershed. Long Creek is a right tributary of the South Fork Catawba River. Dallas is drained by Long Creek tributaries Dallas Branch and Little Long Creek.
History
Dallas was officially incorporated in 1863 and is the oldest incorporated town in Gaston County. It served as the original county seatCounty 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....
for Gaston County from 1846 until 1911. The old Gaston County courthouse, renovated in 1868 after a fire, still stands in the main square of the town and formerly served as the Dallas Police Department. The town government is planning to renovate the courthouse into a meeting and events space.
Dallas began to decline in importance when the town commissioners refused to appropriate money for construction of bridges over several creeks for the Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway
Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway
Organized in 1870, the Atlanta and Richmond Air–Line Railway combined the Georgia Air Line Railroad and the Air Line Railroad in South Carolina under president Algernon S. Buford. The line was complete by 1873 but went broke the next year when it was re-organized into the Atlanta and Charlotte Air...
in the 1872. The commissioners said the reason was because residents thought that trains would wake them during the night and frighten their livestock. After this the county seat was relocated to Gastonia in 1911.
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 3,402 people, 1,324 households, and 879 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 1,966.7 people per square mile (759.3/km2). There were 1,440 housing units at an average density of 832.5 per square mile (321.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.34% White, 22.49% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.06% 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 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.38% of the population.
There were 1,324 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% 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, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,075, and the median income for a family was $32,073. Males had a median income of $29,643 versus $20,810 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 $13,819. About 14.1% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Dallas is the site of the main campus of Gaston CollegeGaston College
Gaston College is a community college located in Dallas, North Carolina.Serving Gaston County and Lincoln County, Gaston College enrolls over 5,000 students each term in curriculum programs and about 16,000 students in continuing education programs...
, a community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
offering Associate Degree, Certificate, and Diploma programs. It is located on U.S. Highway 321 west of the city's business district.
Dallas is home to Costner Elementary, Carr Elementary, W.C. Friday Middle School, and North Gaston High School.
Places of interest
- The Dallas Historic District, bounded by Holland, Main, Gaston and Trade Streets, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The District consists of eight buildings, including the former Gaston County Courthouse (built in 1848), former Gaston County Jail (1848), the Smyre-Pasour House (1850), Rhyne Store (1850), and the Hoffman Hotel (1852). The Hoffman Hotel is now home to the Gaston County Museum.
- North Gaston High SchoolNorth Gaston High SchoolNorth Gaston High School is a public high school in the Gaston County Schools school district located in Dallas, North Carolina, United States. Administrators are:* Brent Boone, Principal...
in Dallas was the location for filming of the 1999 movie Carrie 2. - Biggerstaff Park in Dallas is the venue of the "Shelby Hamfest", a gathering of amateur radio operators. This is one of the oldest and largest such festivals in the country.
Television
Dallas is in the Charlotte-Gastonia viewing areaMedia market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
. This is the list of the Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
stations available in Dallas:
Notable residents and natives
- David W. HoyleDavid W. HoyleDavid W. Hoyle is a North Carolina politician who served as a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's forty-third Senate district, including constituents in Gaston County...
(current resident of Dallas) - former mayor of Dallas and current nine-term DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing the 25th District - William C. FridayWilliam C. FridayWilliam Clyde "Bill" Friday He was born in Raphine, Virginia and raised in Dallas, North Carolina. He served as the head of the University of North Carolina system from 1956 to 1986....
(raised in Dallas and graduated from Dallas High School) - President of the University of North CarolinaUniversity of North CarolinaChartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
system from 1956 to 1986 - Alfred L. BulwinkleAlfred L. BulwinkleAlfred Lee Bulwinkle was a U.S. Representative from North Carolina.Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Bulwinkle moved with his parents to Dallas, North Carolina, in 1891.He attended the common schools....
- former 14-term DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...