Mount Airy, North Carolina

The region currently known as Mount Airy, North Carolina, was originally settled in the 1750s by predominantly English, Scotch-Irish, and German settlers. The native Cheraw people were known to inhabit the area prior to the arrival of these European settlers.{{Cite journal |last1=Berry |first1=Brewton |last2=Rights |first2=Douglas L. |date=December 1947 |title=The American Indian in North Carolina |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1898107 |journal=The Mississippi Valley Historical Review |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=476 |doi=10.2307/1898107 |jstor=1898107 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015003693119 |issn=0161-391X|hdl-access=free }} As westward expansion progressed following the French and Indian War, Mount Airy started to develop, serving as a stagecoach stop on the road connecting Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Galax, Virginia.{{Cite journal |date=April 1991 |title=<sc>william s. powell</sc>. <italic>North Carolina through Four Centuries</italic>. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 1989. Pp. xv, 652. $29.95 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/ahr/96.2.596-a |journal=The American Historical Review |doi=10.1086/ahr/96.2.596-a |issn=1937-5239|url-access=subscription }} The city derived its name from a plantation in the vicinity.

Officially incorporated in 1885, Mount Airy quickly thrived due to the region's abundant natural resources, specifically granite and tobacco.{{cite book |last=Dickson |first=Scott |title=In Search of Mayberry |publisher=Parkway Publishers, Inc. |year=2005 |isbn=1-887905-98-7 |location=Boone, North Carolina |pages=75}} This led to the establishment of the North Carolina Granite Corporation, the world's largest open-face granite quarry.{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.polycor.com/legacy-brands/ncgranite/ |website=North Carolina Granite Corporation}} The locally quarried granite has been used in famous structures, including the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.{{Cite web |title=Wright Brothers National Memorial |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/wright-brothers-national-memorial |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=NCpedia}}{{Cite web |title=Mount Airy granite - CAMEO |url=https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Mount_Airy_granite |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=cameo.mfa.org |language=en}}

Mount Airy became a significant hub for the textile and furniture manufacturing industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Companies such as Spencer's Incorporated and Renfro Corporation established mills in the city.{{Cite journal |last=Edwards |first=Pam |date=1994-01-01 |title=Review: The Textile Industry in North Carolina: A History, by Brent D. Glass |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3378593 |journal=The Public Historian |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=82–84 |doi=10.2307/3378593 |jstor=3378593 |issn=0272-3433|url-access=subscription }} However, the latter half of the 20th century brought economic challenges due to increased global competition and industry automation.{{Cite journal |date=December 1989 |title=Jacquelyn Dowd Hall <italic>et al. Like a Family: The Making of a Southern Cotton Mill World</italic>. (The Fred W. Morrison Series in Southern Studies.) Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. 1987. Pp. xxiii, 468. Cloth $34.95, paper $12.95 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/ahr/94.5.1481 |journal=The American Historical Review |doi=10.1086/ahr/94.5.1481 |issn=1937-5239|url-access=subscription }}

In 1977, Mount Airy established its official seal, representing the industries vital to its local economy: furniture manufacturing, textiles, tobacco, and granite quarrying.{{Cite web |title=History of Mount Airy {{!}} Mount Airy, NC - Official Website |url=http://www.mountairy.org/230/History-of-Mount-Airy |access-date=2018-02-05 |website=www.mountairy.org |language=en}}

Gaining fame as the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and the believed inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry in the "Andy Griffith Show," Mount Airy capitalized on its connection with the series. It established annual events like Mayberry Days and tourist attractions such as Floyd's Barber Shop and the Andy Griffith Museum.{{Cite journal |last=Vaughan |first=Don Rodney |date=November 2004 |title=Why The Andy Griffith Show Is Important to Popular Cultural Studies |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-3840.2004.00119.x |journal=The Journal of Popular Culture |volume=38 |issue=2 |pages=397–423 |doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2004.00119.x |issn=0022-3840|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |title=Map of California for movie studio filming locations |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3998/mpub.12269142.cmp.19 |access-date=2023-06-10 |doi=10.3998/mpub.12269142.cmp.19 |url-access=subscription }}

In recognition of its vibrant community life and civic achievements, Mount Airy was named an All American City in 1994.

The W. F. Carter House, William Carter House, Edgar Harvey Hennis House, William Alfred Moore House, Mount Airy Historic District, North Carolina Granite Corporation Quarry Complex, Renfro Mill, and Trinity Episcopal Church are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

Mount Airy is located along the Ararat River, about {{convert|3|mi}} south of the Virginia state line. The United States Census Bureau states the city has a total area of {{convert|8.4|sqmi|km2}}, all land. The city is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately {{convert|14|mi}} from the Blue Ridge Parkway.{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmayberry.com/blue-ridge-parkway/|title=Blue Ridge Parkway « Visit Mayberry|website=www.visitmayberry.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-05}} It has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and the hardiness zone is 7a.

{{Weather box

| location = Mount Airy, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)

| single line = Y

| Jan record high F = 79

| Feb record high F = 82

| Mar record high F = 89

| Apr record high F = 94

| May record high F = 98

| Jun record high F = 103

| Jul record high F = 105

| Aug record high F = 103

| Sep record high F = 101

| Oct record high F = 96

| Nov record high F = 86

| Dec record high F = 80

| year record high F = 105

| Jan high F = 47.0

| Feb high F = 50.7

| Mar high F = 58.4

| Apr high F = 68.5

| May high F = 76.0

| Jun high F = 83.1

| Jul high F = 86.3

| Aug high F = 85.0

| Sep high F = 79.3

| Oct high F = 69.9

| Nov high F = 59.3

| Dec high F = 49.9

| year high F = 67.8

| Jan avg record high F = 66.7

| Feb avg record high F = 70.2

| Mar avg record high F = 77.8

| Apr avg record high F = 84.4

| May avg record high F = 88.6

| Jun avg record high F = 92.7

| Jul avg record high F = 94.2

| Aug avg record high F = 93

| Sep avg record high F = 90.2

| Oct avg record high F = 84.2

| Nov avg record high F = 75.6

| Dec avg record high F = 68.3

| year avg record high F = 95.3

| Jan mean F = 35.9

| Feb mean F = 38.7

| Mar mean F = 45.5

| Apr mean F = 54.6

| May mean F = 63.2

| Jun mean F = 71.0

| Jul mean F = 74.8

| Aug mean F = 73.5

| Sep mean F = 67.5

| Oct mean F = 56.5

| Nov mean F = 45.9

| Dec mean F = 38.7

| year mean F = 55.5

| Jan low F = 24.8

| Feb low F = 26.7

| Mar low F = 32.6

| Apr low F = 40.7

| May low F = 50.4

| Jun low F = 58.9

| Jul low F = 63.3

| Aug low F = 62.1

| Sep low F = 55.7

| Oct low F = 43.1

| Nov low F = 32.5

| Dec low F = 27.5

| year low F = 43.2

| Jan avg record low F = 9.6

| Feb avg record low F = 13.6

| Mar avg record low F = 18.5

| Apr avg record low F = 27.3

| May avg record low F = 35.8

| Jun avg record low F = 48.1

| Jul avg record low F = 55.0

| Aug avg record low F = 53.5

| Sep avg record low F = 42.3

| Oct avg record low F = 28.5

| Nov avg record low F = 19.7

| Dec avg record low F = 14.7

| year avg record low F = 7.2

| Jan record low F = −10

| Feb record low F = −3

| Mar record low F = 2

| Apr record low F = 18

| May record low F = 27

| Jun record low F = 35

| Jul record low F = 43

| Aug record low F = 41

| Sep record low F = 32

| Oct record low F = 20

| Nov record low F = 3

| Dec record low F = −1

| year record low F = −10

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation inch = 3.99

| Feb precipitation inch = 3.14

| Mar precipitation inch = 4.19

| Apr precipitation inch = 4.29

| May precipitation inch = 4.53

| Jun precipitation inch = 4.95

| Jul precipitation inch = 5.24

| Aug precipitation inch = 4.69

| Sep precipitation inch = 4.26

| Oct precipitation inch = 3.54

| Nov precipitation inch = 3.44

| Dec precipitation inch = 4.20

| year precipitation inch = 50.46

| Jan snow inch = 3.1

| Feb snow inch = 2.2

| Mar snow inch = 1.2

| 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 = 0.0

| Dec snow inch = 1.7

| year snow inch = 8.2

| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

| Jan precipitation days = 11.0

| Feb precipitation days = 10.3

| Mar precipitation days = 11.6

| Apr precipitation days = 11.7

| May precipitation days = 13.0

| Jun precipitation days = 12.8

| Jul precipitation days = 13.6

| Aug precipitation days = 12.8

| Sep precipitation days = 10.8

| Oct precipitation days = 8.9

| Nov precipitation days = 9.3

| Dec precipitation days = 11.5

| year precipitation days = 137.3

| unit snow days = 0.1 in

| Jan snow days = 1.3

| Feb snow days = 1.4

| Mar snow days = 0.5

| Apr snow days = 0.0

| 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 = 0.0

| Dec snow days = 0.7

| year snow days = 3.9

| 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 = July 1, 2021}}

{{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=USC00315890&format=pdf

| title = Station: MT Airy 2 W, NC

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = July 1, 2021}}

| source =

}}

{{US Census population

| 1880 = 519

| 1890 = 1768

| 1900 = 2680

| 1910 = 3844

| 1920 = 4752

| 1930 = 6045

| 1940 = 6286

| 1950 = 7192

| 1960 = 7055

| 1970 = 7325

| 1980 = 6862

| 1990 = 7156

| 2000 = 8484

| 2010 = 10388

| 2020 = 10676

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 10621

| estref = {{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-37.xlsx |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in North Carolina: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=April 19, 2024}}

| 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}}{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}

}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,676 people, 4,571 households, and 2,530 families residing in the city.

As of the census of 2010, there were 10,388 people in 4,934 households. The people per square mile was 891.4. There were 5,296 housing units. The Population percent change from 2000 to 2010 was 22.4% up. The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White descent, 8.2% African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 2.2% Persons reporting two or more races, 6.7% Hispanic or Latino. Persons per household was 2.10. Average household income was $35,428. Persons below poverty level was 21.1%. High school graduates were 76.9% and bachelor's degree or higher was 25.9%.

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,484 people, 3,667 households, and 2,130 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,010.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,129 housing units at an average density of {{convert|491.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.34% White descent, 7.99% African American, 0.35% Native American, 2.55% Asian American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.87% of the population.

Image:Mt Airy quarry.jpgThere were 3,667 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,910, and the median income for a family was $33,412. Males had a median income of $27,299 versus $24,830 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,237. About 17.4% of families and 19.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.

Actor Andy Griffith was born in Mount Airy, and the town is{{cite web |url= http://www.avclub.com/article/andy-griffith-show-built-north-carolina-backlot-206455 |title=The Andy Griffith Show built North Carolina on the backlot |work=avclub.com |date=July 9, 2014 |access-date=July 10, 2014}} considered to have been the basis for Mayberry, the setting of the TV shows The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D.{{cite web |url= http://mountairydowntown.org/FAMOUS_CITIZENS.html |title= Famous Citizens/History |work= mountairydowntown.org |access-date= August 6, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130430070144/http://mountairydowntown.org/FAMOUS_CITIZENS.html |archive-date= April 30, 2013 }}

The community holds an annual "Mayberry Days" celebration during the last weekend of September; 30,000 attended in 2009, and 90,000 attended for the show's 50th anniversary in 2010. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro estimates the town receives $5 million each year as a result. Surviving members of the cast, along with family members of other cast members, often visit. The 2024 event was slated to have a special appearance by Karen Knotts, Don's daughter.https://karenknotts.com/tied-up-in-knotts-show/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

Several Ford Galaxie police cars, painted to resemble those used on the show, gave rides to guests.{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitnc.com/listing/squad-car-tours|title=Squad Car Tours|website=VisitNC.com|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214073430/https://www.visitnc.com/listing/squad-car-tours|archive-date=2018-02-14|url-status=dead}} A barber shop has been named "Floyd's."

The Andy Griffith Museum, founded in 2009 by Emmett Forrest, attracts 200 visitors a day.{{cite news|url=http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/08/28/1659729/goobers-suit-enshrined-in-town.html|title=Goober's suit enshrined in town Mayberry built|last=Washburn|first=Mark|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=2010-08-28|access-date=2010-08-28|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105061630/http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/08/28/1659729/goobers-suit-enshrined-in-town.html|archive-date=2013-01-05}} The 2,500-square-feet museum, located half a mile from Griffith's childhood home, houses the world's largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia.{{cite news |title=Well, I'll be: Andy Griffith Museum opens |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2010/01/18/daily34.html |work= The Business Journal |date=2010-01-13 |access-date=2013-02-10}}

Mayberry Days will continue on September 23-29, 2024.https://www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

Held the second weekend in October, the Autumn Leaves Festival attracts over 200,000 people to the city during the festival weekend.{{Cite news|url=http://www.autumnleavesfestival.com/bluegrass-music-festival/|title=Mayberry North Carolina {{!}} Bluegrass Music Festivals {{!}} NC Events|work=Autumn Leaves Festival|access-date=2018-02-05|language=en-US}} Vendors sell food and other items, and there is a stage for musicians.

The home of old-time music legend Tommy Jarrell,

bluegrass gospel legends The Easter Brothers, and country singer Donna Fargo, Mount Airy has a long history with regional music. Mount Airy's WPAQ is one of the few Bluegrass and Old-Time music stations still operating and has been airing the live radio show Merry-Go-Round from the Downtown Cinema Theatre since 1948. Weekly bluegrass jam sessions at The Andy Griffith Playhouse and the annual Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention also serve to attract old-time musicians from across the region and the world. The Fiddlers Convention first began in 1972, and is held the first weekend in June at Veterans Memorial Park.{{Cite web|url=http://www.blueridgemusicnc.com/find-music/event/mount-airy-bluegrass-and-old-time-fiddlers-convention|title=Mount Airy Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention {{!}} Blue Ridge Music Trails|last=www.paleosun.com|first=PaleoSun, Inc. Web Development|website=Blue Ridge Music Trails|language=en|access-date=2018-02-13}} The Blue Ridge Music Center with its amphitheater and music museum of old-time music is just a few miles away on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 213, near Galax, Virginia. This area is home to the Round Peak style of old-time music, which started in the Round Peak community, just west of Mount Airy.{{cite web|url=http://www.verysurry.com/blog/round-peak-old-time-bluegrass |title=Round Peak: The Influence of Surry County to the World of Old-Time Music | Very Surry – Blog |access-date=2014-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221193553/http://www.verysurry.com/blog/round-peak-old-time-bluegrass/ |archive-date=2014-02-21 }}

Mount Airy has a city-funded school district consisting of four schools.

• Mount Airy High School
• Mount Airy Middle School
• Jones Intermediate School
• BH Tharrington Elementary School

There are also other schools in Mount Airy that are controlled by the Surry County Schools district.

• North Surry High School
• Gentry Middle School
• Meadowview Magnet Middle School
• Cedar Ridge Elementary School
• Flat Rock Elementary School
• Franklin Elementary School
• White Plains Elementary School

Mount Airy has one k-12 public-funded charter school,

[http://www.mcacademy.com/ Millennium Charter Academy].

• White Plains Christian School

The Mt. Airy community is also served by a Public Library that won the American Institute of Architects Design Award."[http://www.mazria.com/projects/mt_airy0.html Mt. Airy Public Library]." Mazria Inc. Retrieved on August 28, 2012.

• Frank Beamer (born 1946), retired head football coach at Virginia Tech, born in Mount Airy and raised in Fancy Gap, Virginia
• Ron Blackburn (1935–1998), MLB player
• Chang and Eng Bunker (1811–1874), famous "Siamese Twins" conjoined twins who settled in Mount Airy after they retired from show business
• Ben Callahan (1957–2007), MLB player
• Bill Cox (1929–2017), NFL defensive player[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CoxxBi20.htm Billy Cox Stats]. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
• Chubby Dean (1916–1970), MLB player
• Donna Fargo (born 1945), country music singer and songwriter, best known for the song "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA"
• Benton Flippen (1920–2011), old-time fiddler, banjo player, and guitarist
• Emmett Forrest (1927–2013), founder of the Andy Griffith Museum{{cite news|first=Keith |last=Stange |title=Emmett Forrest, long-time Andy Griffith friend, has died |url=http://www.mtairynews.com/view/full_story/21397392/article-Emmett-Forrest--long-time-Andy-Griffith-friend--has-died |work=The Mount Airy News |date=2013-01-12 |access-date=2013-02-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131213821/http://mtairynews.com/view/full_story/21397392/article-Emmett-Forrest--long-time-Andy-Griffith-friend--has-died |archive-date=2013-01-31 }}
• Maddie Gardner, (born 1993), local news reporter and internationally recognized cheerleader
• Andy Griffith (1926–2012), American actor, singer, musician, and comedian
• Bill Hayes, television producer{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1746942/|title=Bill Hayes|website=IMDb }}
• Caleb V. Haynes (1895–1966), United States Air Force major general[https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/7656 Caleb V. Haynes - Recipient -- Military Times Hall of Valor]. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
• Jerry Hemmings (born 1948), basketball coach
• Tommy Jarrell (1901–1985), old-time fiddler, banjo player, and singer
• Luke Lambert, NASCAR crew chief[http://mtairynews.com/archive/9562/view-full_story-20576658-article-luke_lambert_makes_dream_come_true_with_nascar "Luke Lambert makes dream come true with NASCAR"], Mount Airy News, 22 October 2012, Accessed: 25 January 2016.{{Cite web |last=AME Church |date=May 2022 |title=AME Zion Star |url=https://amez.org present bishops |website=Amez.org}}{{Cite news |last=Joyce |first=Tom |date=March 9, 2018 |title=Local native is worldwide leader of church |work=The Mount Airy News |url=mtairynews.com |access-date=March 9, 2018}}
• Betty Lynn (1926–2021), actress
• Mark Daniel Merritt (born 1961), American music composer
• Alex Sink (born 1948), former chief financial officer of Florida, Democratic nominee for governor of Florida in 2010
• Anna Wood (born 1985), actress

Mount Airy has one sister city:

• {{flagicon|THA}} Samut Songkhram, ThailandJoyce, Tom. (Jul 21, 2019). [https://www.mtairynews.com/news/76023/siamese-twins-unite-sister-cities Siamese Twins unite sister cities]. The Mount Airy News. Retrieved Jul 22, 2020.

{{reflist}}

• {{cite news|last1=Bailey|first1=Sarah Pulliam|title=How nostalgia for white Christian America drove so many Americans to vote for Trump|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/how-nostalgia-for-white-christian-america-drove-so-many-americans-to-vote-for-trump/2017/01/04/4ef6d686-b033-11e6-be1c-8cec35b1ad25_story.html?wpisrc=nl_most-draw10&wpmm=1|access-date=January 5, 2017|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 5, 2017}} Social attitudes in Mount Airy

{{Commons category|Mount Airy, North Carolina}}

{{Portal|United States}}

• {{official website|http://www.mountairy.org/}}
• [http://www.mtairyncchamber.org/ Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce]

{{Surry County, North Carolina}}

{{mayberry}}

{{authority control}}