Jefferson, North Carolina
{{short description|Town in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Jefferson, North Carolina
| settlement_type = Town
| nickname =
| motto =
| named_for = Thomas Jefferson
| image_skyline = Jefferson town hall, NC.jpg
| image_caption = Town hall
| image_seal = Jefferson, NC Town Seal.png
| image_map = Jefferson (Caroline du Nord).png
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
| image_map1 = Jefferson, Ashe county OSM.png
| mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 = Location within Ashe County
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
| subdivision_name2 = Ashe
| government_type =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Peter Eller (I)
| established_title = Founded
| established_date = as Jeffersonton (1799)
as Jefferson (1799)
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_sq_mi = 2.12
| area_total_km2 = 5.48
| area_land_sq_mi = 2.11
| area_land_km2 = 5.47
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
| area_water_km2 = 0.01
| area_urban_sq_mi =
| area_urban_km2 =
| area_metro_sq_mi =
| area_metro_km2 =
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_note =
| population_total = 1622
| population_metro =
| population_urban =
| population_density_km2 = 296.33
| population_density_sq_mi = 767.63
| timezone = Eastern
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| coordinates = {{coord|36|25|15|N|81|28|06|W|region:US-NC|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft = 2907
| website = {{URL|www.townofjefferson.org}}
| postal_code_type = ZIP Code
| postal_code = 28640
| area_code = 336, 743
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 37-34440{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 2405910{{GNIS|2405910}}
| footnotes =
| pop_est_as_of =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| population_est =
| unit_pref = Imperial
| population_footnotes =
}}
Jefferson is a town in and the county seat of Ashe County, North Carolina, United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }} At the 2020 census, the population was 1,622.{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3734440| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212192704/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3734440| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Jefferson town, North Carolina| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=July 3, 2013}}
History
The North Carolina General Assembly created a special commission in 1799 to found a county seat for Ashe County. The commission purchased {{convert|50|acre|m2}} of land to form the town of Jeffersonton, later named Jefferson. It is one of the first towns in the nation to bear the name of Thomas Jefferson, who was the vice president of the United States in 1799.{{cite web|title=History of Ashe County by Ashe County Government |url=http://www.ashecountygov.com/History.htm |access-date=October 11, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009180729/http://www.ashecountygov.com/History.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2006 }}
The Ashe County Courthouse and Poe Fish Weir are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|2009a}}
Geography
File:Mount Jefferson-27527-2.jpg
Jefferson is located in the Appalachian Mountains.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|5.4|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.01|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 0.20%, is water. The New River, which is part of the Ohio River watershed and one of the oldest and most scenic rivers in the eastern United States, flows through the town.
=Climate=
Due to its high elevation, Jefferson has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cfb). During the winter, the town often experiences snow and cold temperatures akin to the northeastern United States. During the summer, Jefferson experiences cooler temperatures and lower humidity than areas to its east and south.
== Mean coldest and warmest months ==
- January is the coldest month, with an average high of 32.6 °F.{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 1, 2021
| archive-date = July 22, 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150722235732/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| url-status = dead
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00314496&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| title = Station: Jefferson 2 E, NC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| access-date = June 1, 2021}}
- July is the warmest month, with an average high of 69.5 °F.{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 1, 2021
| archive-date = July 22, 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150722235732/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| url-status = dead
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00314496&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| title = Station: Jefferson 2 E, NC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| access-date = June 1, 2021}}
== Extremes ==
- In December 1917, Jefferson observed a record low of -20 °F.{{Cite web |title=North Carolina United States Record High and Low Temperature(Fahrenheit) Map and List - Updated November 2024 |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/en/us/climate/extremes/f/north-carolina-record-high-low-temperatures |access-date=November 30, 2024 |website=Plantmaps.com |language=en}}
- In August 1925, Jefferson observed a record high of 98 °F.
{{Weather box
| location = Jefferson, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present)
| single line = Y
| width = auto
| Jan record high F = 74
| Feb record high F = 77
| Mar record high F = 85
| Apr record high F = 88
| May record high F = 91
| Jun record high F = 95
| Jul record high F = 97
| Aug record high F = 98
| Sep record high F = 95
| Oct record high F = 88
| Nov record high F = 79
| Dec record high F = 83
| year record high F = 98
| Jan high F = 43.3
| Feb high F = 46.6
| Mar high F = 53.5
| Apr high F = 63.1
| May high F = 71.2
| Jun high F = 78.0
| Jul high F = 81.0
| Aug high F = 80.2
| Sep high F = 75.2
| Oct high F = 65.5
| Nov high F = 55.4
| Dec high F = 47.0
| year high F = 63.3
| Jan mean F = 32.6
| Feb mean F = 35.3
| Mar mean F = 41.4
| Apr mean F = 49.7
| May mean F = 58.2
| Jun mean F = 65.7
| Jul mean F = 69.5
| Aug mean F = 68.4
| Sep mean F = 62.7
| Oct mean F = 52.0
| Nov mean F = 42.0
| Dec mean F = 35.7
| year mean F = 51.1
| Jan low F = 21.9
| Feb low F = 24.0
| Mar low F = 29.2
| Apr low F = 36.3
| May low F = 45.3
| Jun low F = 53.4
| Jul low F = 58.0
| Aug low F = 56.6
| Sep low F = 50.3
| Oct low F = 38.5
| Nov low F = 28.5
| Dec low F = 24.5
| year low F = 38.9
| Jan record low F = −15
| Feb record low F = −13
| Mar record low F = 2
| Apr record low F = 7
| May record low F = 22
| Jun record low F = 24
| Jul record low F = 36
| Aug record low F = 33
| Sep record low F = 26
| Oct record low F = 14
| Nov record low F = -5
| Dec record low F = −20
| year record low F = −20
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 3.91
| Feb precipitation inch = 3.28
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.06
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.78
| May precipitation inch = 5.34
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.44
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.79
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.65
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.35
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.71
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.61
| Dec precipitation inch = 4.03
| year precipitation inch = 50.95
| Jan snow inch = 4.3
| Feb snow inch = 3.3
| Mar snow inch = 2.9
| Apr snow inch = 0.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.0
| Nov snow inch = 0.2
| Dec snow inch = 3.7
| year snow inch = 14.4
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 7.4
| Feb precipitation days = 7.2
| Mar precipitation days = 8.1
| Apr precipitation days = 7.4
| May precipitation days = 9.7
| Jun precipitation days = 9.5
| Jul precipitation days = 10.3
| Aug precipitation days = 8.9
| Sep precipitation days = 7.4
| Oct precipitation days = 5.9
| Nov precipitation days = 5.9
| Dec precipitation days = 8.0
| year precipitation days = 95.7
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 1.3
| Feb snow days = 1.3
| Mar snow days = 0.6
| Apr snow days = 0.1
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.0
| Nov snow days = 0.1
| Dec snow days = 0.9
| year snow days = 4.3
| source 1 = NOAA{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 1, 2021
| archive-date = July 22, 2015
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150722235732/http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=rnk
| url-status = dead
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00314496&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| title = Station: Jefferson 2 E, NC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| access-date = June 1, 2021}}
| source =
| collapsed = Y
}}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1860= 128
|1880= 196
|1890= 413
|1900= 230
|1910= 184
|1920= 196
|1930= 266
|1940= 304
|1950= 359
|1960= 814
|1970= 943
|1980= 1086
|1990= 1300
|2000= 1422
|2010= 1611
|2020= 1622
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
}}
=2020 census=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Jefferson racial composition{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3734440&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-20|website=data.census.gov}} !scope="col"| Race !scope="col"| Number !scope="col"| Percentage |
| scope="row"| White (non-Hispanic)
| 1,416 | 87.3% |
|---|
| scope="row"| Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
| 18 | 1.11% |
| scope="row"| Native American
| 8 | 0.49% |
| scope="row"| Asian
| 13 | 0.8% |
| scope="row"| Other/Mixed
| 47 | 2.9% |
| scope="row"| Hispanic or Latino
| 120 | 7.4% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,622 people, 615 households, and 340 families residing in the town.
=2000 census=
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,422 people, 582 households, and 334 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|738.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 617 housing units, at an average density of {{convert|320.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup was 95.43% White, 1.41% African American, 0.35% Asian, 2.53% from other races, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.73% of the population.
There were 582 households, of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.6% were non-families. Of all households, 39.5% were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.66.
The median age was 51 years, with 14.3% of the population under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 21.2% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 34.7% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 73.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.
The median household income was $22,847, and the median family income was $34,554. Males had a median income of $26,500 versus $18,929 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,505. About 11.6% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Charles M. Bishop, academic administrator, college professor, and Methodist minister
Notable events
In September 2024, Stuart Mast died near Jefferson, while in the custody of the Ashe County Sheriff's Office. His death resulted in public outcry across North Carolina, due to inconsistencies from the agency and evidence of misconduct.{{Cite web |last=Ochsner |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=‘I’m gonna choke you out.’ Video shows Ashe County deputies’ actions leading to deadly arrest |url=https://www.wbtv.com/2025/05/05/im-gonna-choke-you-out-video-shows-deputies-actions-leading-deadly-arrest/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=WBTV |language=en}}
In January 2025, LifeStore Bank of Jefferson was the subject of an armed robbery.{{Cite web |title=LifeStore Bank and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Investigate Robbery in Jefferson |url=https://www.golifestore.com/Resources/Online-Tools/Blog/lifestore-bank-and-local-law-enforcement-agencies-investigate-robbery-in-jefferson |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=LifeStore Bank |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Tasha |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Bank Robbery Ends with Quick Arrest |url=https://ashesheriff.com/bank-robbery-ends-with-quick-arrest/ |access-date=January 9, 2025 |language=en-US}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.townofjefferson.org Town of Jefferson official website]
{{Ashe County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina county seats}}
{{authority control}}
Category:County seats in North Carolina