Mars Hill, North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mars Hill, North Carolina
Town
Main Street in Mars Hill
Seal
Motto(s):  "A great place to...LIVE WORK PLAY LEARN"
Location of Mars Hill, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Madison
Area
• Total	2.10 sq mi (5.45 km2)
• Land	2.10 sq mi (5.45 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	2,349 ft (716 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,007
• Density	954.35/sq mi (368.43/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	28754
Area code(s)	828
FIPS code	37-41620
GNIS feature ID	2406102

Mars Hill is a small town located in Madison County, North Carolina, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,007 people lived there. This town is special because it is home to Mars Hill University. The university's name was inspired by a Bible verse from the book of Acts.

Mars Hill is about 15 miles (24 km) north of Asheville. A major highway, Interstate 26, runs just a mile east of the town. It is part of the larger Asheville metropolitan area.

Exploring Mars Hill's Past

The area where Mars Hill is now located was first home to indigenous peoples for a very long time. European Americans, mostly farmers, began settling here before the American Revolutionary War. Many of these early settlers were of Scotch-Irish background.

Important Historical Buildings

Several buildings in Mars Hill are recognized for their historical importance. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:

• The California Creek Missionary Baptist Church
• The Mars Hill College Historic District
• The Mars Hill High School
• The Thomas J. Murray House

Understanding Mars Hill's Location

Mars Hill covers an area of about 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers), and all of it is land. The town sits at an elevation of about 2,330 feet (710 meters) above sea level. Because it is so high up, the weather in Mars Hill is often cooler than you might expect for a town in a southern state like North Carolina.

Higher Education in Mars Hill

One of the most important parts of Mars Hill is Mars Hill University. This is a private college where both male and female students attend. It focuses on liberal arts, which means students learn a wide range of subjects.

History of Mars Hill University

The university was started in 1856 by local Baptists. This makes it the oldest college or university in western North Carolina. Even though it is no longer directly connected to a specific Baptist church, the university still says it is "an academic community rooted in the Christian faith."

Impact of the University on the Town

Having Mars Hill University in town means that residents get to enjoy many more cultural events, interesting discussions, and entertainment options. These are things you usually wouldn't find in a town of this size. The university typically has between 1,300 and 1,600 students. These students are not counted in the town's official population numbers.

Who Lives in Mars Hill?

The population of Mars Hill has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived in the town during different census counts:

Mars Hill Population in 2020

In 2020, the United States Census counted 2,007 people living in Mars Hill. There were 742 households and 440 families in the town. Most of the people living in Mars Hill are White. There are also significant numbers of Black or African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents.

Well-Known People from Mars Hill

Mars Hill has been home to several notable individuals who have made contributions in various fields:

• John Chandler – an educator
• Tommy Hunter – a talented fiddler
• Bascom Lamar Lunsford – a folklorist and musician who performed traditional folk and country music from Western North Carolina
• Graham Martin – a former United States Ambassador to South Vietnam
• Ray Rapp – a former member of the North Carolina General Assembly, which is the state's law-making body