Rockingham County, North Carolina

Rockingham County, North Carolina

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Rockingham County, North Carolina

Rockingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 91,928. Its county seat is Wentworth.

History
Law and government
Geography

Townships
Adjacent counties

Demographics
Attractions
Education
Shopping
Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

References
External links

History

The county was formed in 1785 from Guilford County. It was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, British Prime Minister from 1765 to 1766 and again in 1782.

Law and government

Rockingham County is a member of the regional Piedmont Triad Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 572 square miles (1,482 km²), of which, 566 square miles (1,467 km²) of it is land and 6 square miles (15 km²) of it (1.03%) is water.

The Dan River and Haw River drain the county.

Rockingham County has a large municipal airport eight miles (13 km) northwest of Reidsville called Shiloh Airport, which has a paved runway, a fixed base operation, and hangar space.

Townships

The county is divided into eleven townships: Huntsville, Leaksville, Madison, Mayodan, New Bethel (Bethany), Price, Reidsville, Ruffin, Simpsonville (Monroeton), Wentworth, and Williamsburg.

Adjacent counties

Pittsylvania County, Virginia - northeast
Caswell County, North Carolina - east
Guilford County, North Carolina - south
Alamance County, North Carolina - southeast
Stokes County, North Carolina - west
Henry County, Virginia - northwest

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 91,928 people, 36,989 households, and 26,188 families residing in the county. The population density was 162 people per square mile (63/km²). There were 40,208 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.33% White, 19.57% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. 3.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 36,989 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,784, and the median income for a family was $40,821. Males had a median income of $30,479 versus $22,437 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,120. About 10.20% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 15.50% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

Rockingham County has various attractions. They include the state parks of the Dan and Mayo rivers, near Madison. Others include the historic downtown areas of Leaksville, Draper and Spray in Eden. There is also the Chinqua-Penn Plantation in Reidsville, and the historic Penn House, located in Reidsville. One of the most famous attractions of the Reidsville area is Lake Reidsville. Various historic shops and other such things are found in the county, as well.

Education

The area includes government elementary, middle, and high schools including 25 different schools which include: The elementary are Bethany School, Moss Street, Central, Leaksville-Spray, Dillard, Monroeton School, Douglass, Draper, South End School, Lawsonville Avenue, Stoneville, Lincoln, Wentworth, Huntsville, Williamsburg, and a magnet school New Vision. The middle schools are Holmes, Rockingham County, Reidsville, and Western Rockingham. The high schools are McMichael, Morehead, Reidsville, and Rockingham. There is also the S.C.O.R.E. Center. There are currently 8 School Board Members but there will be 13 after the election in November.

In Wentworth the Rockingham Community College can be found.

Shopping

Eden, Madison, and Reidsville are home to numerous shopping centers. Various shops are found in the county. Two famous shopping areas are the Eden Mall and Pennrose Mall but have since lost interest to the public.