Pineville, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Pineville is a suburban town
in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County
, North Carolina
situated in the Waxhaws
district between Charlotte, North Carolina
and Rock Hill, South Carolina
.
It is the birthplace of James K. Polk
, the 11th U.S. president. His home is no longer standing, but an original cabin from that time period is kept there, symbolic of the one he was born in. This is now a state historic site. It has two reconstructed log cabins, both from the local area being built c. 1790. They are furnished in period antiques similar to what the Polks would have used. There is a main house, a cookhouse, and a log barn, and tours are available by costumed guides. Ladybird Johnson (at that time the First Lady of the U.S.A.) came to Pineville to dedicate the new state site. In addition to the period log houses there is a museum with a short film on the life and times of James Knox Polk along with period clothes and other artifacts of the area and era. A monument was erected in 1904 on the site of the present-day reconstructed cabins. The state of North Carolina moved the monument from its original location in 1964. It was moved to its current location near the visitor center in 1968.
Pineville became known as a mule trading center during the time of the Charlotte 'gold rush'. At that time 'Pineville' was called 'Morrow's Turnout'. Located at the intersection of two major Indian trading routes, it had vast meadows in which the animals of trade and transportation could be 'turned-out' to pasture.
In 1852 the Charlotte & Columbia Railroad came through Pineville, the town's first step into the 'modern world'. The railroad wanted a more modern name, and the large stands of pine trees in the area inspired the new name Pineville. Pineville was incorporated in 1873. In the 1890s Dover Yarn Mills established a cotton mill in Pineville. This mill later became Cone Mills, Inc., which operated in the town until the late 1970s. The one-block area of old Pineville was a bustling commercial area, with many different shops typical of any small town. Today this area is home to many quaint shops and restaurants.
opened to traffic. Although the one-mile (1.6 km) stretch connecting interchanges at NC Highway 51 and South Boulevard was designed to divert through traffic around Charlotte via a freeway loop, I-485 incidentally passed directly through Pineville.
In the years to follow, largely undeveloped land adjacent to Pineville's two I-485 interchanges exploded into what is presently the largest shopping district in North Carolina. With nearly 8000000 square feet (743,224.3 m²) of retail space, Pineville is home to the 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) Carolina Place Mall
, at least two power centres and many strip malls, outparcels and free-standing retailers.
Pineville is a textbook example of urban sprawl
. Because it's growth was largely motivated by the introduction of a freeway to the area, the Pineville shopping district generally requires a motor vehicle for access. Despite 8000000 square feet (743,224.3 m²) of new retail space, the population of Pineville today, slightly less than 4,000, is barely greater than it was in 1990. This is partly a consequence of Pineville's geographic location. Sandwiched between Charlotte and the South Carolina state line, Pineville cannot expand its municipal boundaries. Substantial undeveloped land available prior to the introduction of I-485, was rapidly purchased by developers and approved for retail use nearly without exception, quickly sealing Pineville's fate as a place that is known to many but home to few. This is an example of the criticism that sprawl causes excessive single-use zoning
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all of it land.
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,449 people, 1,632 households, and 744 families residing in the town. The population density
was 965.8 people per square mile (373.0/km²). There were 1,760 housing units at an average density of 492.8 per square mile (190.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 80.05% White, 10.00% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.00% from other races
, and 2.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.16% of the population.
There were 1,632 households, out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.4% were non-families. 42.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.80.
The age range of Pineville's population is 17.5% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 42.2% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,261, and the median income for a family was $45,500. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $29,508 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $21,958. About 3.6% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
in the southernmost portion of Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
, 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...
situated in the Waxhaws
Waxhaws
The Waxhaws is a geographical area on the border of North and South Carolina.-Geography:The Waxhaws region is in the Piedmont region of North and South Carolina, southwest of the Uwharrie Mountains. The region encompasses an area just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, to Lancaster, South...
district between Charlotte, North Carolina
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...
and Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Rock Hill is the largest city in York County, South Carolina and the fourth-largest city in the state. It is also the third-largest city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte and Concord, North Carolina. The population was 71,459 as of . Rock Hill has undergone rapid growth between...
.
It is the birthplace of 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...
, the 11th U.S. president. His home is no longer standing, but an original cabin from that time period is kept there, symbolic of the one he was born in. This is now a state historic site. It has two reconstructed log cabins, both from the local area being built c. 1790. They are furnished in period antiques similar to what the Polks would have used. There is a main house, a cookhouse, and a log barn, and tours are available by costumed guides. Ladybird Johnson (at that time the First Lady of the U.S.A.) came to Pineville to dedicate the new state site. In addition to the period log houses there is a museum with a short film on the life and times of James Knox Polk along with period clothes and other artifacts of the area and era. A monument was erected in 1904 on the site of the present-day reconstructed cabins. The state of North Carolina moved the monument from its original location in 1964. It was moved to its current location near the visitor center in 1968.
Pineville became known as a mule trading center during the time of the Charlotte 'gold rush'. At that time 'Pineville' was called 'Morrow's Turnout'. Located at the intersection of two major Indian trading routes, it had vast meadows in which the animals of trade and transportation could be 'turned-out' to pasture.
In 1852 the Charlotte & Columbia Railroad came through Pineville, the town's first step into the 'modern world'. The railroad wanted a more modern name, and the large stands of pine trees in the area inspired the new name Pineville. Pineville was incorporated in 1873. In the 1890s Dover Yarn Mills established a cotton mill in Pineville. This mill later became Cone Mills, Inc., which operated in the town until the late 1970s. The one-block area of old Pineville was a bustling commercial area, with many different shops typical of any small town. Today this area is home to many quaint shops and restaurants.
History
Pineville was changed forever when the initial segment of Interstate 485Interstate 485
Interstate 485 is an Interstate Highway and a nearly completed beltway around Charlotte, North Carolina.-Route description:The western, southern and eastern segments of the beltway are complete and open to traffic...
opened to traffic. Although the one-mile (1.6 km) stretch connecting interchanges at NC Highway 51 and South Boulevard was designed to divert through traffic around Charlotte via a freeway loop, I-485 incidentally passed directly through Pineville.
In the years to follow, largely undeveloped land adjacent to Pineville's two I-485 interchanges exploded into what is presently the largest shopping district in North Carolina. With nearly 8000000 square feet (743,224.3 m²) of retail space, Pineville is home to the 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) Carolina Place Mall
Carolina Place Mall
Carolina Place Mall is a shopping mall located in Pineville, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. The mall is anchored by Sears, Belk, JCPenney, Dillard's, and Macy's.-History:...
, at least two power centres and many strip malls, outparcels and free-standing retailers.
Pineville is a textbook example of urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
. Because it's growth was largely motivated by the introduction of a freeway to the area, the Pineville shopping district generally requires a motor vehicle for access. Despite 8000000 square feet (743,224.3 m²) of new retail space, the population of Pineville today, slightly less than 4,000, is barely greater than it was in 1990. This is partly a consequence of Pineville's geographic location. Sandwiched between Charlotte and the South Carolina state line, Pineville cannot expand its municipal boundaries. Substantial undeveloped land available prior to the introduction of I-485, was rapidly purchased by developers and approved for retail use nearly without exception, quickly sealing Pineville's fate as a place that is known to many but home to few. This is an example of the criticism that sprawl causes excessive single-use zoning
Zoning
Zoning is a device of land use planning used by local governments in most developed countries. The word is derived from the practice of designating permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another...
.
Geography
Pineville is located at 35°5′09"N 80°53′17"W (35.085737, -80.888167).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 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of 2010 the town's population is 7,700.As of the census of 2000, there were 3,449 people, 1,632 households, and 744 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 965.8 people per square mile (373.0/km²). There were 1,760 housing units at an average density of 492.8 per square mile (190.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 80.05% White, 10.00% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.00% 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 2.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.16% of the population.
There were 1,632 households, out of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.4% were non-families. 42.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.80.
The age range of Pineville's population is 17.5% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 42.2% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,261, and the median income for a family was $45,500. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $29,508 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 $21,958. About 3.6% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.