kids encyclopedia robot

Valdese, North Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Valdese, North Carolina
Main Street (US 70)
Main Street (US 70)
Location of Valdese, North Carolina
Location of Valdese, North Carolina
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Burke
Incorporated 1920
Area
 • Total 7.87 sq mi (20.39 km2)
 • Land 7.86 sq mi (20.36 km2)
 • Water 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
1,217 ft (371 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 4,490
 • Estimate 
(2019)
4,420
 • Density 562.34/sq mi (217.13/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28690
Area code(s) 828
FIPS code 37-69520
GNIS feature ID 0996570

Valdese is a town in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,490 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area. One of the largest Waldensian congregations in the United States was founded in the town in the late nineteenth century, now known as the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. The town was settled by immigrants from the Cottian Alps in the Piedmont region of Italy.

History

In addition to Waldensian Presbyterian Church, the Jean-Pierre Auguste Dalmas House and Valdese Elementary School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Valdese News, a newspaper serving Burke County, was published there from 1938 through 1950.

Geography

Valdese is located in eastern Burke County at 35°44′36″N 81°33′31″W / 35.74333°N 81.55861°W / 35.74333; -81.55861 (35.743270, -81.558662). It is bordered to the east by the town of Rutherford College. The Valdese town limits extend north to Rhodhiss Lake on the Catawba River, then follow the land along the southern side of the lake for 4 miles (6 km) to the west.

U.S. Route 70 passes through the town as Main Street, leading west 7 miles (11 km) to the center of Morganton, the county seat, and east 14 miles (23 km) to Hickory. Interstate 40 runs along the southern border of the town, providing access from exits 111 and 112.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 7.7 square miles (20.0 km2), of which 0.012 square miles (0.03 km2), or 0.17%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1930 1,816
1940 2,615 44.0%
1950 2,730 4.4%
1960 2,941 7.7%
1970 3,182 8.2%
1980 3,364 5.7%
1990 3,914 16.3%
2000 4,485 14.6%
2010 4,490 0.1%
2019 (est.) 4,420 −1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Valdese racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 4,097 87.37%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 77 1.64%
Native American 1 0.02%
Asian 160 3.41%
Pacific Islander 10 0.21%
Other/Mixed 183 3.9%
Hispanic or Latino 161 3.43%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,689 people, 1,545 households, and 1,104 families residing in the town.

Sister city

  • Italy Torre Pellice, Italy

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Valdese para niños

kids search engine
Valdese, North Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.