Black Mountain, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Black Mountain, North Carolina
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A view down State Street in downtown Black Mountain
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Location in Buncombe County and the state of North Carolina
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  North Carolina |
| County |  Buncombe |
| Incorporated | March 4, 1893 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.73 sq mi (17.42 km2) |
| • Land | 6.71 sq mi (17.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,333 ft (711 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,426 |
| • Density | 1,255.55/sq mi (484.76/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28711
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| FIPS code | 37-06140 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405272 |
Black Mountain is a charming town located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. In 2020, about 8,426 people lived there. It's part of the larger Asheville area. The town got its name from an old train stop called the Black Mountain Depot. It sits at the southern end of the Black Mountain range, which is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Southern Appalachians.
Contents
History of Black Mountain
Black Mountain officially became a town on March 4, 1893. The very first people known to live in this area were the Cherokee tribe.
Early Transportation
In 1850, a road was built through the area, making it easier for people to travel. Later, in 1879, a railroad was added, which helped the town grow even more.
Historic Places
Several important and historic places in Black Mountain are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their special history or architecture. Some of these include the Black Mountain College Historic District, the Black Mountain Downtown Historic District, and the Monte Vista Hotel.
Recent Events: Hurricane Helene
In September 2024, Black Mountain was hit hard by flooding from Hurricane Helene. The town's power, water, and sewer systems stopped working for several days. Many roads and bridges were washed away by the floodwaters. The community worked together to recover from the storm.
About the Town of Black Mountain
Black Mountain's downtown area is a lively place with many unique shops. These shops attract lots of visitors, especially during different seasons, which is a big part of the town's economy. You can also find many cozy bed and breakfasts here, which are like small hotels where you can stay and enjoy a homemade breakfast.
Learning and Arts
The famous Black Mountain College used to be located near the town. It was known for its experimental way of teaching. Today, the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center is in downtown Asheville. It helps people learn about the college's interesting history.
Black Mountain is also home to the Swannanoa Valley Museum. Just down the street from the museum, you'll find the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. In 2002, the community worked together and raised a lot of money to buy the old Town Hall building and turn it into this art center.
Local News
If you want to know what's happening in Black Mountain and the nearby Swannanoa Valley, you can read the Black Mountain News. It's a weekly newspaper that covers local events and stories.
Geography and Nature
Black Mountain is located in the eastern part of Buncombe County. The town of Montreat is just north of Black Mountain, and the community of Swannanoa is to the west.
Roads and Rivers
U.S. Route 70, also known as State Street, is the main road that goes through the center of town. Interstate 40 passes just south of downtown, making it easy to get to other cities. From Black Mountain, it's about 15 miles (24 km) west to Asheville and 41 miles (66 km) east to Morganton.
The Swannanoa River flows through the town from east to west. This river starts just 3 miles (5 km) east of town at Swannanoa Gap. The Swannanoa River eventually flows into the French Broad River, which is part of a big river system that reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
Town Size
The town of Black Mountain covers a total area of about 6.73 square miles (17.4 square kilometers). A very small part of this area, about 0.02 square miles (0.04 square kilometers), is water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 209 | — | |
| 1910 | 311 | 48.8% | |
| 1920 | 531 | 70.7% | |
| 1930 | 737 | 38.8% | |
| 1940 | 1,042 | 41.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,174 | 12.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,313 | 11.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,204 | 144.0% | |
| 1980 | 4,083 | 27.4% | |
| 1990 | 5,418 | 32.7% | |
| 2000 | 7,511 | 38.6% | |
| 2010 | 7,848 | 4.5% | |
| 2020 | 8,426 | 7.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
According to the 2020 United States census, there were 8,426 people living in Black Mountain. The town has a mix of different age groups. About 14.9% of the population was under 18 years old. About 37.8% of the population was 65 years old or older. The average age in Black Mountain was 57.5 years.
Education in Black Mountain
- Black Mountain College (1933–1957) - An important experimental college that once existed here.
- Montreat College (Black Mountain) - A college located partly in Black Mountain.
Fun Events
- Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) - A popular festival with music, arts, and crafts.
Famous People from Black Mountain
Many interesting people have connections to Black Mountain!
Writers
- Patricia Cornwell - A well-known author.
- William R. Forstchen - An author.
- Nicholas Sparks - A very popular author, known for his romantic novels.
Musicians
- McDibbs - A music venue where people can enjoy live music.
- Bob Dalsemer - A famous square and contra dance writer, musician, and caller.
- Roberta Flack - A celebrated singer.
- Floating Action (band) - A music group (Seth Kauffman).
- The Jellyrox - A music group (Matthew Langston).
- The Morris Brothers - A country music group.
- David Wilcox - A singer-songwriter.
- Artimus Pyle - The drummer for the famous band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Architecture
- Rafael Guastavino - A famous architect.
Sports Stars
- Brad Daugherty - A former NBA player and a five-time All-Star. He also works as a sports commentator and owns a NASCAR team.
- Brad Johnson - A former NFL quarterback who won the Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Sammy Stewart - A former MLB pitcher who won the 1983 World Series with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Roy Williams - A very successful NCAA basketball coach.
Religious Figures
- L. Nelson Bell - A missionary and founder of Christianity Today magazine.
- Andrew Brunson - An American pastor.
Film, TV, and Theater
- Matt Lutz - An actor.
Politicians
- Roy A. Taylor - A former congressman.
Diplomats
- Philip S. Kosnett - A Foreign Service Officer who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo.
Other Notable People
- Regina Lynch-Hudson - A publicist, travel writer, and historian.
See also
In Spanish: Black Mountain (Carolina del Norte) para niños
