Mooresville, North Carolina | |
---|---|
Nickname: Race City USA | |
Coordinates: 35°35′05″N80°49′36″W / 35.58472°N 80.82667°W | |
Country | United States |
State | North Carolina |
County | Iredell |
Established | March 3, 1873 |
Named for | John Franklin Moore |
Government | |
• Type | Council-Manager government |
• Mayor | Chris Carney |
• Town Manager | Jim Landon (Interim) |
• Town Commission |
|
Area | |
• Total | 26.58 sq mi (68.84 km2) |
• Land | 26.51 sq mi (68.66 km2) |
• Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2) |
Elevation | 840 ft (260 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 50,193 |
• Estimate (2022) | 52,656 |
• Density | 1,893.29/sq mi (731.00/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
ZIP codes | 28115, 28117 |
Area code(s) | 704, 980 |
FIPS code | 37-44220 [3] |
GNIS feature ID | 2406189 [2] |
Website | www |
Mooresville is a town located in the southwestern section of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States, and is a part of the fast-growing Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 50,193 at the 2020 census, [4] making it the most populous municipality in Iredell County. It is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) north of Charlotte.
Mooresville is best known as the home of many NASCAR racing teams and drivers, along with an IndyCar team and its drivers, as well as racing technology suppliers, which has earned the town the nickname "Race City USA". Also located in Mooresville is the corporate headquarters of Lowe's Corporation and Universal Technical Institute's NASCAR Technical Institute.
The area that would develop into the town of Mooresville was originally settled by English, German, and Scots-Irish families who moved into the area from nearby Rowan County, as well as from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Many were seeking new lands on which to establish farms. Many of the early families such as the Wilsons, Davidsons, Cowans, Sherrills, Torrances, and others came to the area as early as the mid-1700s. They formed small communities that eventually grew into the community known as "Deep Well", which took its name from a large natural well that was found in the area.
Many of these families established large farms, primarily of cotton, which grew into small plantations by the 1850s. Major Rufus Reid was the most prominent planter in the area, enslaving 81 African Americans on over 2,000 acres (810 ha) of land. His property was known as Mount Mourne Plantation, named after the Mourne Mountains of County Down in Northern Ireland. Several other historic plantation homes are set in the area as well, including the Johnson-Neel House, the Cornelius House, Forest Dell Plantation, and the colonial era Belmont Plantation.
In 1856, a railroad was placed on a ridge that crossed the land of a local farmer by the name of John Franklin Moore. A small-scale planter, Moore set up a depot on his land, and encouraged others to help establish a small village on the location in the late 1850s. The little village, known as "Moore's Siding", was born. The Civil War hampered developments, with the railroad tracks being removed to aid the Confederate efforts in Virginia. After the war, the tracks were returned, and Moore's Siding slowly began to prosper.
Shortly after the Civil War, John Franklin Moore saw the need for the village to incorporate into a town. The town was incorporated as Mooresville in 1873. Moore helped to establish the first brick factory in Mooresville, and built some of the first brick buildings on Main Street. He died in 1877, and his wife, Rachel Summrow Moore, continued the development of the town.
In 1883 the railroad lines were run back through the town with the addition of a new depot. [5] The railroad brought growth to the town, which continued with the addition of the first water plant in the early 1890s, the establishment of a library in 1899, a phone company in 1893 and the first of many textile mills in 1900. [6]
In 1938, artist Alicia Weincek painted the mural North Carolina Cotton Industry in the town's post office, having won a WPA competition for the commissioned work.
The Mooresville Moors were a minor league baseball team who played in the Class D North Carolina State League from 1937 to 1942. The league ceased operations for two seasons due to World War II but was reorganized in 1945.
Selma Burke, a prominent sculptor during the Harlem Renaissance who was born and raised in Mooresville, created the bust of President Franklin D. Roosevelt for the Four Freedoms plaque on the Recorder of Deeds building in Washington, D.C. The bust would later be used for the image on the United States dime.
On December 11, 2014, Duke Energy, to repair a rusted, leaking pipe, received approval from North Carolina to dump coal ash (containing arsenic, lead, thallium and mercury, among other heavy metals) from the Marshall Steam Station 10 miles (16 km) west of Mooresville into Lake Norman. [7]
On October 3, 2015, Duke reported that a sinkhole had formed at the base of the Marshall Steam Station dam on Lake Norman. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says Duke placed a liner in the hole and filled it with crushed stone. [8]
Mooresville is located in southern Iredell County. Interstate 77 passes through the western side of the town, with access from Exits 31 through 36. I-77 leads south to the South Carolina border and north to the Virginia line. Statesville, just to the north, is the county seat. Lake Norman, on the Catawba River, is 3 to 8 miles (5 to 13 km) west of the town center. Mooresville is located 27 miles (43 km) north of Charlotte and 16 miles (26 km) south of Statesville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Mooresville has a total area of 21.0 square miles (54.3 km2), of which 20.9 square miles (54.2 km2) are land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.24%, are water. [9]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 508 | — | |
1890 | 886 | 74.4% | |
1900 | 1,533 | 73.0% | |
1910 | 3,400 | 121.8% | |
1920 | 4,315 | 26.9% | |
1930 | 5,619 | 30.2% | |
1940 | 6,682 | 18.9% | |
1950 | 7,121 | 6.6% | |
1960 | 6,918 | −2.9% | |
1970 | 8,808 | 27.3% | |
1980 | 8,575 | −2.6% | |
1990 | 9,317 | 8.7% | |
2000 | 18,823 | 102.0% | |
2010 | 32,711 | 73.8% | |
2020 | 50,193 | 53.4% | |
2022 (est.) | 52,656 | [4] | 4.9% |
U.S. Decennial Census [10] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 35,046 | 69.82% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 5,462 | 10.88% |
Native American | 119 | 0.24% |
Asian | 2,606 | 5.19% |
Pacific Islander | 23 | 0.05% |
Other/Mixed | 2,525 | 5.03% |
Hispanic or Latino | 4,412 | 8.79% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 50,193 people, 14,233 households, and 9,866 families residing in the town.
In the 2000 census, [3] there were 18,823 people, 7,139 households, and 5,082 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,281.6 inhabitants per square mile (494.8/km2). There were 7,741 housing units at an average density of 527.1 per square mile (203.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 81.54% White, 14.23% African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.55% of the population.
There were 7,139 households, out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $42,943, and the median income for a family was $51,011. Males had a median income of $39,524 versus $24,939 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,549. About 5.6% of families and 7.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Mooresville is branded as "Race City USA". [12] The town is home to more than 60 NASCAR teams and racing-related businesses, as well as an IndyCar team. Mooresville features two automotive museums: the Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum, and the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. The Mooresville Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official resource for travelers.
In addition to a number of historic sites including Mount Mourne Plantation, Johnson-Neel House, Cornelius House, and Espy Watts Brawley House, Mooresville is home to the following historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places: [13]
The town of Mooresville is run in a Commission-Manager style of municipal government with the Town Manager being Randy Hemann. The Mooresville Board of Commissioners is presided by Mayor Miles Atkins and can be presided over by Mayor Pro Tempore and Ward 4 Commissioner Lisa Qualls in the event of Atkins’ absence.
Schools located in Mooresville operated by Mooresville Graded School District include: [15]
Schools located in Mooresville operated by Iredell-Statesville Schools include: [16]
Mooresville is the location of a campus of Mitchell Community College, whose main campus is in Statesville.
The following highways pass through or around Mooresville:
Exit 36 from Interstate 77 provides access to NC 150 and downtown Mooresville. Exits 33 and 42 from Interstate 77 provide access to US 21, while Exit 42 also connects with NC 115. Exits 31 (Langtree Road) and 35 (Brawley School Road) also connect I-77 with Mooresville.
The I-77 Express Lanes begin at Exit 36, and continue south through the Mecklenburg County towns of Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville before terminating in Uptown Charlotte.
Lake Norman Airpark is located on the edge of Lake Norman and is 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of downtown Mooresville, offering a 3,100-foot (940 m) runway. A thriving "fly-in community", Lake Norman Airpark is home to almost 50 lots. Tie-downs and fuel are available. The airport is owned by the surrounding Lake Norman Airpark Owners Association.
Mooresville has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
Iredell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 186,693. Its county seat is Statesville, and its largest community is Mooresville. The county was formed in 1788, subtracted from Rowan County. It is named for James Iredell, one of the first justices of the Supreme Court. Iredell County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, with data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sherrills Ford is an unincorporated community and former census-designated place (CDP) in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. Since the 2010 census, it has been included within the Lake Norman of Catawba CDP. It is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Statesville is a city in and the county seat of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States, and it is part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. Statesville was established in 1789 by an act of the North Carolina Legislature. The population was 28,419 at the time of the 2020 census.
Cornelius is a suburban town located along Lake Norman in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. It is a major suburb in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 24,866 at the 2010 census.
Huntersville is a large suburban town in northern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. At the 2020 census, its population was 61,376, making Huntersville the 15th-most populous municipality in North Carolina. It is located in the Charlotte metropolitan area and 14 mi (23 km) north of Charlotte.
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,131 at the 2020 US Census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in the community. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces of the sport of stock-car racing, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first NASCAR-sanctioned track. Due to the town's proximity to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and its numerous tourist venues, North Wilkesboro has been nicknamed the "Key to the Blue Ridge".
Stony Point is a census-designated place (CDP) in Alexander and Iredell counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 1,317 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Davidson is a suburban town located in Iredell and Mecklenburg counties, North Carolina, United States, on the banks of Lake Norman. It is a suburb in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 10,944 at the 2010 census, and in 2019 the estimated population was 13,054. The town was founded in 1837 with the establishment of the Presbyterian Davidson College, named for Brigadier General William Lee Davidson, a local Revolutionary War hero. The land for Davidson College came from Davidson's estate, a large portion of which was donated by his son.
North Carolina Highway 3 (NC 3) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The road runs from US 601 in southern Concord, north through Mooresville to US 29 in Kannapolis. It is numbered after Dale Earnhardt, the NASCAR driver, who was driving the #3 car when he died at the 2001 Daytona 500. This state highway runs from Kannapolis, Earnhardt's birthplace, to downtown Mooresville, where many NASCAR teams are based. A short section of NC 3 is named Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, a name which was given to the road prior to Earnhardt's death.
Lake Norman High School is located in Mooresville, North Carolina. The school is a part of the Iredell-Statesville school system. The name of the school comes from nearby Lake Norman. In 2009, Lake Norman High School had the highest graduation rate of North Carolina public non-charter schools, with 95% of the senior class receiving a diploma. In June 2012, Lake Norman High School was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon Schools Program School of Excellence.
North Carolina Highway 150 (NC 150) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It serves the Foothills and Piedmont Triad areas of the state, connecting the cities of Shelby, Mooresville, Salisbury and Winston-Salem.
South Iredell High School is a public school located near Troutman, North Carolina and is part of the Iredell-Statesville school system. South Iredell High is designated an Expected Growth School of Distinction by the North Carolina ABCs Accountability program. It educates students from surrounding areas including Troutman and south Statesville, North Carolina. The school was constructed in 1966 to replace Troutman High School. The school's enrollment was about 800 students in the 2005–2006 school year. Attendance was double that figure before 2002, when Lake Norman High School was created to alleviate South Iredell's overcrowding. In 2018 the school's enrollment had grown to just under 1600 students. The school has options for both traditional schooling and an IB Program. The school's mascot is the Viking and the school colors are navy blue and gold.
Interstate 77 (I-77) is a part of the Interstate Highway System that runs from Columbia, South Carolina, to Cleveland, Ohio. In North Carolina, I-77 enters the state at Charlotte, from South Carolina. Crossing the Piedmont, it connects with Statesville before continuing north into Virginia. The landscapes traversed by I-77 is a contrast of urban and rural foothills, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from a distance on its most northern section. The Interstate extends for 105.7 miles (170.1 km) and has one auxiliary route.
Terrell is an unincorporated community in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. Since the 2010 census, it has been included within the Lake Norman of Catawba CDP.
The Charlotte metropolitan area, sometimes referred to as Metrolina, is a metropolitan area of the U.S. states of North and South Carolina, containing the city of Charlotte. The metropolitan area also includes the cities of Gastonia, Concord, Huntersville, and Rock Hill as well as the large suburban area in the counties surrounding Mecklenburg County, which is at the center of the metro area. Located in the Piedmont, it is the largest metropolitan area in the Carolinas, and the fourth largest in the Southeastern United States. The Charlotte metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States.
Mooresville Senior High School, or more commonly Mooresville High School, is a high school located in Mooresville, North Carolina. It is part of the Mooresville Graded School District and was opened in the 1930s. The sports teams are known as the Blue Devils. Mooresville plays in the I-Meck Conference with Lake Norman (Rival), Hough (Rival), Hopewell, Mallard Creek, West Charlotte, Vance, North Meck. Mooresville Home is Coach Joe Popp Stadium located on the Magnolia Campus of Mooresville High School.
Barringer Township is a non-functioning township in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, including sixteen in Iredell County.
Davidson Township is a non-functioning administrative division of Iredell County, North Carolina, United States. By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the counties were divided into townships, which included Davidson township as one of sixteen townships in Iredell County.
John Franklin Moore was visionary, pioneer citizen, and namesake of Mooresville, North Carolina.
Statesville Regional Airport, formerly known as Statesville Municipal Airport, is a public, city-owned general aviation airport located 3 miles (5 km) southwest of downtown Statesville, a city in Iredell County, North Carolina.