Kernersville, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kernersville, North Carolina
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Town
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| Motto(s):
"The Heart of the Triad"
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Location in Forsyth County and the state of North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | Forsyth, Guilford |
| Founded | 1756 |
| Incorporated | 1873 |
| Named for | Joseph Kerner |
| Area | |
| • Total | 18.21 sq mi (47.18 km2) |
| • Land | 18.10 sq mi (46.88 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2) |
| Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 26,449 |
| • Density | 1,461.19/sq mi (564.16/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
27284–27285
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| Area code(s) | 336 |
| FIPS code | 37-35600 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405941 |
Kernersville is a town in North Carolina, located mostly in Forsyth County. A small part of the town is also in Guilford County. It's the largest suburb of Winston-Salem. In 2020, about 26,481 people lived here. Kernersville is right in the middle of the Piedmont Triad area. This means it's between big cities like Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem.
Contents
History of Kernersville
The area where Kernersville now stands was first settled in 1756 by an Irishman named Caleb Story. Around 1770, William Dobson bought the land. He called it "Dobson's Crossroads" and ran a tavern there. Even George Washington stopped by for breakfast on June 2, 1791!
In 1817, Joseph Kerner bought the property and kept the inn going. The town then became known as "Kerners Crossroads." Joseph Kerner later left his property to his two sons and a daughter. When the railroad arrived, the town officially became "Kernersville" in 1873.
Many historic buildings in Kernersville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the First Baptist Church, the Kernersville Depot, and the famous Korner's Folly. Other important sites are the Isaac Harrison McKaughan House, the North Cherry Street Historic District, the Roberts-Justice House, the South Main Street Historic District, and the Stuart Motor Company.
Kernersville has also seen visits from important people. In 2005, President George W. Bush gave a speech about the American economy at a local factory. In 2008, former president Bill Clinton spoke at R. B. Glenn High School. He was campaigning for his wife, Hillary Clinton. More recently, in 2020, Donald Trump Jr. held a campaign rally for his father, then-President Donald Trump.
Town Improvements
Kernersville has seen many improvements over the years. In 2006, Century Park was rebuilt. A lake that had been drained was refilled and restocked with fish. The park now has bathrooms and picnic areas, and you can even fish there.
In 2008, North Main Street in downtown Kernersville was improved. The road was made wider, and more parking was added. Century Boulevard was also extended to help traffic flow better.
Older homes in the historic district on Salisbury Street were updated. This was done to match the new look of the roads and downtown area. This district includes the famous Körner's Folly and the Harmon House.
In 2012, the Salisbury Street bridge over I-40 Business was completely rebuilt. It now has stone walls, sidewalks, and new lights. Landscaping was also added around the Main Street exit. Another bridge project began in 2012 for the Hastings Hill Road overpass. This project aims to replace an old bridge and make the road straighter.
In 2013, a traffic circle was built at the intersection of W. Bodenhamer Street and Dobson Street. This helps reduce traffic jams during busy times. Another intersection at Wallburg Road and Union Cross Road was also improved with new traffic lights.
Geography
Kernersville is located about 10 miles (16 km) east of Winston-Salem. It is also about 17 miles (27 km) west of Greensboro. The town covers a total area of about 18.21 square miles (47.18 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 585 | — | |
| 1890 | 900 | 53.8% | |
| 1900 | 652 | −27.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,128 | 73.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,219 | 8.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,754 | 43.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,103 | 19.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,396 | 13.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,942 | 22.8% | |
| 1970 | 4,815 | 63.7% | |
| 1980 | 5,875 | 22.0% | |
| 1990 | 10,836 | 84.4% | |
| 2000 | 17,126 | 58.0% | |
| 2010 | 23,123 | 35.0% | |
| 2020 | 26,481 | 14.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 28,016 | 21.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Kernersville has grown a lot over the years. In 2020, the town had 26,449 people living there. There were 10,564 households.
Who Lives in Kernersville?
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (non-Hispanic) | 17,690 | 66.88% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,050 | 15.31% |
| Native American | 96 | 0.36% |
| Asian | 524 | 1.98% |
| Pacific Islander | 7 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,248 | 4.72% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,834 | 10.71% |
In 2020, most people in Kernersville were White (about 67%). About 15% were Black or African American. About 11% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
In 2010, the average age in Kernersville was 34 years old. About 24% of the population was under 18 years old.
Education
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools system serves Kernersville. The town has five public elementary schools, three public middle schools, and two public high schools. These high schools are Robert B. Glenn High School and East Forsyth High School.
Kernersville also has four private schools. Two well-known ones are Brookside Montessori School and Triad Baptist Christian Academy. Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School is also located here. Oak Ridge Military Academy is in a nearby town.
For older students, Kernersville has a branch of Forsyth Technical Community College. Many other colleges and universities are a short drive away. These include Salem College, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Transportation
The main airport for the region is the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. For driving, US 421 is a major road that goes east and west through Kernersville. NC 66 also passes through the town. I-40 goes around the south side of Kernersville.
Attractions
Kernersville has several interesting places to visit!
- Korner's Folly: This very unusual house was built between 1878 and 1880 by Jule Körner. He was the grandson of Joseph Kerner, who the town is named after. The house is a popular tourist spot because of its unique design. It has 22 rooms spread across seven levels and 15 decorated fireplaces! It also has what is believed to be the first private "Little Theatre" in the U.S., built in 1896. This house has been featured in The New York Times and Southern Living Magazine. A model of the house even represented North Carolina on the White House Christmas Tree in 2001.
- Honeybee Festival: Every fall, Fourth of July Park hosts this fun annual festival.
- Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden: This beautiful garden is located in the historic district of Kernersville.
- Mountain Bike Single Track Park: If you love mountain biking, this park is for you! It was created by the Town of Kernersville and the Kernersville Cycling Club. It opened in 2013 and is located on Smith Edwards Road.
- Kernersville Farmers Market: You can find fresh local produce and goods at this market. It's open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through October.
- Kernersville Museum and the 1873 Train Depot: The Kernersville Museum opened in 2013 and focuses on the town's history. It's located on West Mountain Street. The old Train Depot, built in 1873, was restored in 2009.
- Skate World Roller Skating Rink: This skating rink opened in 1966. Sadly, it closed after a big fire in 2022. It's not clear if it will reopen.
Notable People
Many interesting people have connections to Kernersville:
- Madison Bailey: An actress known for her role as Kiara Carrera in the Netflix series Outer Banks.
- Turner Battle: A college basketball coach.
- Chris Lane: A popular country music singer.
- Brent LaRue: An athlete who represented Slovenia in the 400 meters hurdles at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Ben Newnam: A professional soccer player.
- Kemp Wicker: A former MLB pitcher who won two World Series championships with the New York Yankees in 1936 and 1937.
Images for kids
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Location in Forsyth County and the state of North Carolina
See also
In Spanish: Kernersville (Carolina del Norte) para niños
