Jonesville, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jonesville, North Carolina
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Jonesville townhall
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Location of Jonesville, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Yadkin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.90 sq mi (7.51 km2) |
| • Land | 2.88 sq mi (7.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 899 ft (274 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,308 |
| • Density | 800.00/sq mi (308.91/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28642
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| Area code(s) | 336 |
| FIPS code | 37-34840 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405923 |
Jonesville is the oldest town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. It was first called Allen's Settlement. In 2020, about 2,308 people lived there. The town grew a lot in 2001 when it joined with nearby Arlington.
Jonesville is known as the "Heart of the Yadkin Valley." It is a starting point for exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can also visit local wineries in the Swan Creek AVA and the larger Yadkin Valley AVA. The town also offers access to the Yadkin river.
Contents
Exploring Jonesville
Jonesville is located on the south side of the Yadkin River. It sits near the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town has a modern Welcome Center for visitors. You can find many shops and services in the area. There is also a large antique mall.
Within a short drive, you can find exciting activities. These include sky diving facilities and a center for restoring old cars. There is also a popular herb farm and a History Center. You can even find a horse ranch that teaches riding lessons.
Places to Stay and Eat
Jonesville has seven local hotels. There are also many fast food and regular restaurants. Gas stations are easy to find near the I-77 exits (83 and 79). Jonesville is close to larger cities like Winston-Salem and Charlotte. These cities offer sports, college, and cultural activities.
Parks and Recreation
Jonesville was a military outpost during past wars. It is now working to protect its history. The town has an historic Bicentennial Park called Mineral Springs Park. This park features a memorial for veterans. It lists over 3,000 names of people who served our country. Mineral Springs Park is located along the Yadkin River. It was once a meeting point for old wilderness trails.
Another park, Swaim Park, offers many fun things to do. It has playgrounds, ball fields, and tennis courts. There are also walking trails, picnic areas, and a bandstand. A Senior Center and a Medical Center are next to the park.
A GreenWay is being built along the Yadkin River. Future plans include rebuilding an old ferry. This ferry operated during the Civil War. There are also plans for a walking trail along historic woodland paths.
Wine Country
The Yadkin River separates Jonesville from Elkin. This area is called the Tri-County Region. It is part of the Yadkin Valley AVA. This is a special area for growing grapes for wine. Wines made here can use the "Yadkin Valley" name on their labels. More than twelve wineries are located within 15 miles (24 km) of Jonesville.
Town Size
According to the United States Census Bureau, Jonesville covers about 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) of land. A very small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2), is water.
Population Changes
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 220 | — | |
| 1910 | 621 | — | |
| 1920 | 787 | 26.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,306 | 65.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,733 | 32.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,768 | 2.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,895 | 7.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,659 | −12.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,752 | 5.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,549 | −11.6% | |
| 2000 | 1,464 | −5.5% | |
| 2010 | 2,285 | 56.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,308 | 1.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
People in Jonesville (2020)
In 2020, there were 2,308 people living in Jonesville. There were 1,068 households and 676 families.
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 1,688 | 73.14% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 199 | 8.62% |
| Native American | 5 | 0.22% |
| Asian | 22 | 0.95% |
| Other/Mixed | 146 | 6.33% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 248 | 10.75% |
Getting Around
Roads
Interstate 77 passes through the east side of Jonesville. You can reach the town from two exits. These are North Carolina Highway 67/Winston Road and Business U.S. Route 21. N.C. 67 is a busy road that connects Jonesville to Winston-Salem.
There used to be two bridges connecting Jonesville and Elkin. These were the Hugh G. Chatham Bridge and the Gwen McNeill Bridge. The Chatham Bridge was built in 1931. It was closed in 2005 after it failed a state inspection. It will not be reopened.
Airports
Swan Creek Airport is a private airport southwest of town. It is home to the Carolina Sky Diving School. Elkin Municipal Airport is in nearby Elkin. For bigger flights, you can use Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. Or you can use Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
History of Jonesville
Early Beginnings
Jonesville is the oldest town in Yadkin County. It was once the largest town west of Raleigh. It was first called Allen's Settlement. This name came from an early iron ore forge owner. The settlement grew into a busy trading center. It had a trading post, a tannery, and a school. There were also mills for grinding grain and cutting lumber. A fort overlooked the Yadkin Valley. It was used by local soldiers during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Allen's Settlement is now recognized as part of the OverMountain Trail. This trail was used by patriots who marched to fight in the Battle of Kings Mountain.
In 1811, Allen's Settlement became a town called Martinsborough. Later, its name changed to Jonesville. This was to honor Hardy Jones (1747–1819). He fought in the American Revolution. He also helped bring the Jonesville Male and Female Academy to the town. A marker for Hardy Jones is at the Jonesville United Methodist Church.
The Jonesville Male and Female Academy was an important school. It was connected to the Methodist Church. Many famous scholars visited the Academy. These included Bishop Francis Asbury and Brantley York. York later founded Trinity-Union Institute, which became Duke University.
On April 1, 1865, Union troops damaged the town and the Academy. They were looking for Confederate soldiers and supplies. This event marked the end of the school. The town never fully recovered from this damage.
In 1912, a sad event happened at Jonesville High School. The floor of the auditorium collapsed during a Christmas concert. Two elderly women and a young girl died. Nearly 100 people were hurt. A man named Sam Ray put out a fire in a stove. This saved many lives.
Recent Times
Jonesville grew a lot after Interstate 77 opened in 1974. The area where I-77 and N.C. 67 meet is a popular stop for travelers. It is one of the most developed areas along the interstate.
In 1980, Jonesville was recognized for its economic growth. Governor Jim Hunt named it a "Governor's Community of Excellence."
In 2009, the town built a new, modern town hall. A memorial to Police Sgt. Gregory Keith Martin was placed in front of the new town hall. He was the first police officer in Jonesville to die while on duty.
Local News and Media
Newspapers
Two local newspapers cover news in Jonesville. These are The Tribune and The Yadkin Ripple. The Winston-Salem Journal, a larger daily newspaper, also reports on the town.
TV and Radio
Jonesville is part of the Piedmont Triad area for radio and television. However, you can also receive broadcasts from Charlotte and Winston-Salem. The main cable provider in town is Time Warner.
Famous People from Jonesville
- Dickie Hemric – A former NBA player for the Boston Celtics. He played college basketball at Wake Forest. He was the all-time leading scorer in Atlantic Coast Conference history for many years.
- Carlos King – A former running back for N.C. State. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1998. Carlos King holds the rushing record for Starmount High School.
See also
In Spanish: Jonesville (Carolina del Norte) para niños
