Flat Rock, Henderson County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Flat Rock, North Carolina
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Village
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Historical marker on NC 225
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Location of Flat Rock, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Henderson |
| Incorporated | 1996 |
| Named for | Rock formation |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.23 sq mi (21.31 km2) |
| • Land | 8.10 sq mi (20.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.13 sq mi (0.33 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,543 ft (775 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,486 |
| • Density | 430.32/sq mi (166.14/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28731
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| Area code(s) | 828 |
| FIPS code | 37-23600 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407454 |
Flat Rock is a charming village located in Henderson County, North Carolina, in the United States. In 2020, about 3,486 people lived there. It is part of the larger Asheville area.
Contents
History of Flat Rock Village
Flat Rock got its name from the flat granite rock formations found in the area. A post office opened here in 1829.
In 1827, Charles and Susan Heyward Baring built a home called Mountain Lodge. Many wealthy families from South Carolina started spending their summers in Flat Rock. This led to the village being known as the "Little Charleston of the Mountains."
In 1968, a group called Historic Flat Rock Inc. was formed. They started buying and saving historic buildings in the village. In 2014, Mountain Lodge was bought by Julien Smythe, whose family once owned the famous Connemara estate. He and his wife Lori carefully restored the old house.
Many buildings in Flat Rock are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This includes the Flat Rock Historic District itself, as well as specific places like Brookland and the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.
Geography and Location
Flat Rock is in the southern part of Henderson County. To its north is Hendersonville, which is the county seat. To the east, you'll find East Flat Rock.
North Carolina Highway 225 is the main road that goes through the village. It leads about 4 miles (6.4 km) north to Hendersonville and 3 miles (4.8 km) south to Zirconia. The city of Asheville is about 25 miles (40 km) north of Flat Rock. The border with South Carolina is only about 8 miles (13 km) to the south.
The village covers a total area of about 8.23 square miles (21.3 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. King Creek and Meminger Creek flow through the town. These creeks are part of the French Broad River system, which eventually flows into the Tennessee River.
Population Changes Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 1,808 | — | |
| 1970 | 1,688 | −6.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,922 | 13.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,812 | −5.7% | |
| 2000 | 2,565 | 41.6% | |
| 2010 | 3,114 | 21.4% | |
| 2020 | 3,486 | 11.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Flat Rock has changed quite a bit over the years. In 1960, there were 1,808 people living in the village. By 2020, the population had grown to 3,486 people. This shows that more and more people have chosen to make Flat Rock their home.
Flat Rock's Diverse Community (2020 Census)
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,259 | 93.49% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 23 | 0.66% |
| Native American | 8 | 0.23% |
| Asian | 16 | 0.46% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.11% |
| Other/Mixed | 80 | 2.29% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 96 | 2.75% |
According to the 2020 United States census, Flat Rock was home to 3,486 people. These people lived in 1,590 households, and 1,071 of these were families. The census helps us understand the different groups of people who live in the village.
Arts, Culture, and Education
Flat Rock is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. It is home to the Flat Rock Playhouse, which is officially recognized as the State Theatre of North Carolina. This theater puts on many different shows throughout the year.
The village also has Bonclarken, a retreat center for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. For students, the main campus of Blue Ridge Community College is located in Flat Rock.
In 2017, the Historic Flat Rock Cultural Center and Museum opened its doors. It is located in the building that used to be the village's post office.
Famous People from Flat Rock
Several notable people have lived in or had strong connections to Flat Rock:
- Mitchell Campbell King (1815–1901) was a planter and doctor in the 1800s.
- Christopher Memminger was the first Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederacy. His summer home, called "Rock Hill," is now known as "Connemara". He is buried in Flat Rock.
- Carl Sandburg was a famous American poet and writer. He lived in Flat Rock from 1945 until he passed away in 1967. His home, which was once owned by Memminger, is now the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. It is a very popular place for tourists to visit.
- Buffalo Bob Smith (1917–1998) was a well-known TV host. He was famous for the children's show "Howdy Doody." He retired to the Kenmure area of Flat Rock.
- George A. Trenholm was the second Secretary of the Treasury for the Confederacy. He also spent his summers in Flat Rock.
See also
In Spanish: Flat Rock (condado de Henderson) para niños
