Elkin, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elkin, North Carolina
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Location of Elkin, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | Surry, Wilkes |
| Incorporated | March 5, 1889 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.88 sq mi (17.81 km2) |
| • Land | 6.79 sq mi (17.59 km2) |
| • Water | 0.09 sq mi (0.22 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,086 ft (331 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,122 |
| • Density | 607.07/sq mi (234.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28621
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| Area code(s) | 336 |
| FIPS code | 37-20620 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406436 |
Elkin is a town located in North Carolina, a state in the United States. It sits along the Yadkin River and is part of both Surry and Wilkes counties. The town of Elkin shares its name with the nearby Elkin Township. In 2020, about 4,122 people lived in Elkin.
Contents
Exploring Elkin's Location and Natural Beauty
Elkin is a town with a total area of about 6.3 square miles (16.4 km2). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Outdoor Adventures Near Elkin
Elkin is a great spot for outdoor activities. It's only about 15 minutes south of Stone Mountain State Park. The entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway is also just 20 minutes away. Elkin has clean air and mild weather, making it perfect for exploring.
The downtown area of Elkin is right next to the Yadkin River. You can find a boat ramp there for paddling and a small campsite. Several local shops offer gear if you want to float down the Yadkin River.
Wineries, Breweries, and Festivals
The area around Elkin, known as the Yadkin Valley, is famous for its many vineyards. There are over 40 wineries in and around Elkin! Every May, the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival takes place at the Elkin Municipal Park. This park is located along Big Elkin Creek, which flows into the Yadkin River. Elkin is right in the middle of the Yadkin Valley Wine Region.
Elkin also has two local breweries. In the fall, the town hosts The Big Elkin Brewfest, a craft brewery festival. This event is held at the Municipal Park, which was once a gathering place during the American Revolutionary War. A special marker at the park shows that Elkin was an important stop on the Overmountain Victory Trail during the Revolution.
Discovering Elkin's Trails
Elkin is known as an official "Trail Town" because many trails pass through it. These include the Overmountain Victory Trail, the North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail, and the Yadkin River State Park 'Blue' Trail. The NC Mountains to Sea Trail now goes right through downtown Elkin along Main Street.
A local group of volunteers helps maintain over 24 miles of trails from Elkin to Stone Mountain State Park. They are also working on the E&A Rail Trail. This trail offers mountain biking, walking paths, and even trout fishing, all starting at the Elkin Municipal Park. You can even rent a golf cart at the Recreation Center if you need help getting around the trails.
Elkin's Population and Community Life
Elkin has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1880, only 137 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to 4,122 residents.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 137 | — | |
| 1890 | 288 | 110.2% | |
| 1900 | 860 | 198.6% | |
| 1910 | 886 | 3.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,195 | 34.9% | |
| 1930 | 2,357 | 97.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,734 | 16.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,842 | 4.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,868 | 0.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,899 | 1.1% | |
| 1980 | 2,858 | −1.4% | |
| 1990 | 3,790 | 32.6% | |
| 2000 | 4,036 | 6.5% | |
| 2010 | 4,001 | −0.9% | |
| 2020 | 4,122 | 3.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Elkin? (2020 Census)
In 2020, there were 4,122 people living in Elkin. These residents made up 1,618 households and 1,087 families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,134 | 76.03% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 208 | 5.05% |
| Native American | 4 | 0.1% |
| Asian | 30 | 0.73% |
| Other/Mixed | 101 | 2.45% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 645 | 15.65% |
The average income for a household in Elkin was $57,711. For families, the average income was $81,369. The average income per person in the town was $36,342. About 6.3% of families and 12.6% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 10.6% of people under 18 and 18.5% of people aged 65 or older.
Important Places in Elkin
Several places in Elkin are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include Cedar Point, the Downtown Elkin Historic District, the Gwyn Avenue-Bridge Street Historic District, and the former Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, (former). These landmarks show the town's rich history.
Education in Elkin
Elkin is served by the Elkin City Schools system. This school system is considered one of the top 5 in North Carolina.
Elkin City Schools
The school system includes an elementary school for grades 1–6, which has about 700 students. There's also a middle school for grades 7–8 and Elkin High School for grades 9–12, with about 384 students. The high school has been updated with new buildings for science, math, and career programs. An English and history building was also completed in 2011. Elkin schools are also adding the STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) for all grades from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Sports Achievements
Elkin High School has a very successful football program. They won state championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. They also won a championship in 1967. Besides football, Elkin High has won many state championships in sports like fencing, soccer, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and wrestling.
Getting Around Elkin: Transportation
Elkin is easy to reach by car and has its own airport.
Major Highways
Interstate 77 runs along the eastern side of Elkin. You can enter Elkin from Exit 85 using Highway 268.
You can also get to Elkin by taking North Carolina Highway 67. If you exit NC 67 at Jonesville (Exit 82) and head west, you'll cross the Yadkin River. This road becomes Old Business Highway 21 and leads right into Elkin's historic downtown. Here, you'll find a lively Main Street with restaurants, antique shops, a winery, and a future visitor center. You'll also see markers for the Civil War and the Overmountain Victory Trail.
U.S. Route 21 also goes through Elkin. Old Business Highway 21, also called Bridge Street, runs through the entire town. It connects from the Yadkin River up to where it joins US 21 heading north. Travelers use US 21 to get to North Carolina's Stone Mountain State Park.
Airports and Air Travel
The town has its own airport, Elkin Municipal Airport. Here, you can find aircraft maintenance and flight instruction.
For commercial flights, people in Elkin can use Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro or Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Elkin's Local News and Media
Elkin has its own local newspaper and radio station.
Print Media
The Tribune is a community newspaper published three times a week. It covers news from Elkin, nearby Jonesville, and parts of Wilkes County and Yadkin County. Larger newspapers like the Winston-Salem Journal and Mount Airy News also cover Surry County.
Radio and Television
WIFM 100.9 FM is a local radio station that broadcasts from Elkin.
Elkin is part of the Piedmont Triad area for radio and television. However, many broadcasts from the Charlotte area can also be received.
Famous People from Elkin
Many notable people have connections to Elkin:
- Richard Thurmond Chatham – a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Barney Hall – a former NASCAR sports commentator.
- James A. Harrell III – a former member of the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Jeff Hayes – an NFL punter who won Super Bowl XVII with the Washington Redskins.
- Thomas F. Metz – a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army.
- Jim Popp – an American sports executive.
- Jerry Steele – a former college basketball player, head coach, and athletic administrator.
- Bob Stinson – a MLB catcher.
See also
In Spanish: Elkin para niños
