DAVIDSON COUNTY
County Offices
913 Greensboro Street
Lexington 336-242-2000
www.co.davidson.nc.us
Chamber of Commerce
507 East Center Street
Lexington 336-248-5959
http://lexingtonchamber.net
Lifestyles
Davidson County is home to more than 149,000 residents. Its county seat is Lexington and its largest city is Thomasville. The county is divided into seventeen townships: Abbotts Creek, Alleghany, Arcadia, Boone, Conrad Hill, Cotton Grove, Emmons, Hampton, Healing Spring, Jackson Hill, Lexington, Midway, Reedy Creek, Silver Hill, Thomasville, Tyro, and Yadkin College. Though each has a population of fewer than 30,000, Davidson County’s two largest cities are also two of the state’s most well-known. Lexington and Thomasville are situated for those who want to live the small town life, but have access to the offerings of larger urban centers. In fact, many people who work in Greensboro or Winston-Salem live in Davidson County.
One of the county’s most famous attractions is the yearly Lexington Barbecue Festival, held in the city of Lexington during the month of October, bringing in over 100,000 visitors from all over the southeastern U.S. There is also a yearly Davidson County Agriculture Fair held in September. Thomasville hosts an annual “Everybody’s Day Festival”, the longest running festival in the state. The “Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion” is held every year at the Denton Farm park. In addition, there are many year-long attractions in Davidson County. Some of which include Historic Uptown Lexington, which consists of the Davidson County Historical Museum located in the old courthouse and Boone’s Cave Park (where legend says an adolescent Daniel Boone hid from Indians). Other attractions include Denton Farm Park, Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookie Factory, Walter Johnson Camp and Conference Center, and the North Carolina Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Big Chair in Thomasville is also a major landmark.
Pigs in the City is an art initiative held each summer in Lexington which attracts tens of thousands of visitors. A number of artistic pigs are on display throughout the walkway of uptown Lexington, around the entire city square. The pigs are primarily made of fiberglass, and decorated and painted by local artists each with their own theme. While some pigs are displayed for more than one year, new pigs are created for each year’s display. The area is also famous for its barbeque, one of the two major styles of North Carolina barbecue originated in Lexington, the county seat and home to the annual Lexington Barbecue Festival. Of course many barbecue restaurants are found throughout the county.
NASCAR fans know Davidson County is home to one of the sport’s premier racing teams – Richard Childress Racing. The complex features a state of the art garage and a museum, which prominently features information and memorabilia about their most famous driver, the late Dale Earnhardt.
Besides food and local attractions, locals who enjoy outdoor activites will find more than enough to keep them busy, including everything from hiking through the forest, biking and just about every type of outdoor activity. The county is home to some of the best fishing in the state. High Rock Lake is the northernmost of the Uwharrie Lakes and the second largest lake in North Carolina behind Lake Norman. Its water surface covers 15,180 acres and there are 365 miles of shoreline. It begins at the confluence of the Yadkin River and the South Yadkin River. So boating and water sports are a big local option.
Services
While the history of the county revolves around the furniture industry, economic recruitment and a premier location within North Carolina have lured companies from various other business segments to the county. Companies such as Levolor, TransTech Pharma, Inc., and Banner Pharmacaps Inc. are headquartered in High Point. While other national corporations such as Aetna, U.S. Healthcare and Sealy have moved major operations here. Executives have found the pro-business environment, educated labor force and quality of life a winning combination.
The County affords outstanding educational opportunities at all levels. Public and private schools offer strong college preparatory, vocational and technical programs. Madison County Schools offer a variety of enrichment programs which take students beyond the normal curriculum. Academic enrichment in music, drama and art broaden the cultural awareness of local students and community. Accredited private schools that offer classes in kindergarten through grade twelve are also available. Davidson County is served by Davidson County Schools; however, the cities of Thomasville and Lexington have their own school districts. Davidson County Schools is one of the county’s largest employers. Davidson County is also served by Davidson County Community College, a comprehensive community college that is a member school of the North Carolina Community College System. Davidson County Community College was chartered in 1958 as an Industrial Education Center designed to provide adults with the education and skills needed to move from an agricultural to a manufacturing-based economy. In 1965, the institution was chartered as Davidson County Community College. The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees were added to the existing Associate in Applied Science degree, Diploma, and Certificate programs. Davidson County Community College and the City of Thomasville formed a partnership for the creation of the Thomasville Artisan Center. The Artisan Center is part of the College’s Thomasville Education Center complex which is part of the College’s outreach to the community. The College has a second campus in Davie County in the city of Mocksville, as well as the Uptown Lexington Education Center, located within a few blocks of the Arts Center of Davidson County and the historic Court House.
Health care is a priority in the County and is well represented by excellent full-service hospital, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. The county is served by the Thomasville Medical Center, a 164-bed acute care facility, as well as the excellent medical centers in nearby Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
High Point
City Offices
211 S Hamilton
High Point 336-883-8517
www.highpointnc.gov
Chamber of Commerce
1634 N Main Street
High Point 336-882-5000
https://www.bhpchamber.org/
Named for its geographic location as the highest point on the North Carolina Railroad in 1859, High Point remains a center of commerce and growth. It has a unique ability to provide the opportunity and diversity of a large city with that small town feel. Known as the “Furniture Capital of the World”, High Point is on everyone’s radar for furniture shopping and offers numerous opportunities throughout the area for retail savings. Twice annually, more than 83,000 members of the furniture industry come to town for the International Home Furnishings Market. Professionals are drawn to High Point from all 50 states and 100 countries. Residents know that for 10 days each spring and 10 days every fall, restaurants overflow and hotels are sold out, but the festive feeling of this international affair is all encompassing.
The arts are alive and well in High Point. The N.C. Shakespeare Festival, which performs the best of the bard from August through October each year, is headquartered in High Point. At the High Point Theatre, you can take in the ballet or a performance by the High Point Community Theatre. There are plenty of activities no matter your interest. History buffs can take advantage of the regions long and storied past with a visit to the High Point Museum and Historical Park, the Peterson Doll & Miniature Museum, or Castle McCulloch, a 19th century castle that originally served as a gold refinery. The Furniture Discovery Center and the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library provide “all you need to know” about the furniture industry. Enjoy the mild climate while boating on Oak Hollow Lake or hitting the links at the 18-hole Pat Dye Course. Shopping opportunities include the 70-plus furniture companies in the area as well as the charming local boutiques and Oak Hollow Mall. Residents enjoy a high quality of life that is readily visible exploring the winding streets and elegant homes of Emorywood only minutes from downtown High Point. Explore the picturesque neighborhoods located on Oak Hollow Lake, and ride through the new home developments strategically cropping up between High Point and Greensboro. With so much to do, High Point remains a city with many opportunities and attractions for relocating families. Its location, abundance of wonderful housing and neighborhoods, strong schools, low crime rate, and its many cultural and recreational activities make High Point a wonderful place to call home.
Lexington
City Offices
28 West Center St
Lexington 336-248-3910
https://www.lexingtonnc.gov/
Chamber of Commerce
507 East Center St
Lexington 336-248-5959
www.lexingtonchamber.net
Lexington is the county seat of Davidson County. The city has a total population of almost 20,000. It is located in central North Carolina, twenty miles south of Winston-Salem. Major highways include I-85, I-85B, U.S. Route 29, U.S. Route 70, U.S. I-285 and U.S. Route 64. Lexington is part of the Piedmont Triad region of the state. Lexington, Thomasville, and the rural areas surrounding them are slowly turning into bedroom communities for the nearby cities such as Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point.
Lexington calls itself the “Barbecue Capital of the World”. Since 1984, the city has hosted the Lexington Barbecue Festival, one of the largest street festivals in North Carolina. The city has over twenty barbecue restaurants: an average of more than one per thousand residents. In 2012, the US News and World Report ranked Lexington as #4 on its list of the best cities for barbecue. Lexington-style barbecue is made with pork shoulder cooked slowly over a hardwood fire, usually hickory wood. It is basted in a sauce (called “dip” locally) made with vinegar, ketchup, water, salt, pepper and other spices. The actual ingredients will vary from restaurant to restaurant, with each restaurant’s recipe being a closely guarded secret. While each is vinegar based, the taste varies widely from tangy to slightly sweet or spicy.
The most distinguishing feature of the “Lexington Barbecue Sandwich” is the inclusion of red slaw (sometimes called barbecue slaw). Red slaw is a combination of cabbage, vinegar, ketchup and crushed/ground black pepper. Red slaw is distinguishable from coleslaw because red slaw contains no mayonnaise. Many Lexingtonians (and visitors) consider red slaw a staple for a quality barbecue experience. Red slaw is commonly served as a side dish with barbecue, grilled poultry and other meats, and on hotdogs as a relish. But, there’s more to Lexington than Barbeque. Lexington is also known as the hometown, and continued residence, of famed landscape artist Bob Timberlake. The Bob Timberlake Gallery features original artwork as well as limited edition prints and reproductions, personal memorabilia, and items from Timberlake’s home furnishings line. Outdoor activities are abundant with something for everyone right on their doorstep, whether it’s fishing, hiking, biking or shopping. The city also hosted the annual Pigs in the City public art initiative through 2009 coordinated by Uptown Lexington, Inc., a non-profit organization created to revitalize the downtown (or locally called “uptown”) area of Lexington. Pigs in the City began in 2003 when the event drew over 40,000 visitors from all over the state in its first year. The pigs, each with a different theme, were painted and decorated to portray the title and business that they represented. With 121 pigs created during the five years of the project, even today, visitors can see over 35 pigs on the streets and in businesses throughout the Uptown Lexington Business District and 30 others throughout Lexington. Besides the painted pigs, visitors to the Uptown district can enjoy shops and restaurants and a stroll along the historic streets.
Lexington offers its residents a high quality of life that retains a small town feel where neighbors still know each other and gather together in community spirit.
Midway
Town Offices
426 Gumtree Road
Winston-Salem 336-764-5455
www.midway-nc.gov
Midway is an incorporated town in Davidson County. It is also the newest town in the county having only been incorporated in 2006. It is situated along Old US Highway 52 in the northern section of the county. It encompasses eight square miles and has a population of just under 5,000. It derives its name from its location midway between Winston-Salem and Lexington, North Carolina. Midway is part of the Piedmont Triad region and is neighbored by the communities of Arcadia, Welcome, and Wallburg. Today however Winston-Salem borders the town and Lexington is close by. The town is primarily a residential community with a quiet pace of life with major urban amenities a short drive away.
Thomasville
City Offices
10 Salem Street
Thomasville 336-475-4210
www.thomasville-nc.gov
Chamber of Commerce
941 Randolph Street
Thomasville 336-475-6134
www.thomasvillechamber.net
Thomasville is home to more than 21,000 residents. The city is notable for its furniture industry as are its neighbors of High Point and Lexington. This Piedmont Triad community was established in 1852 and hosts the state’s oldest festival, “Everybody’s Day”. Built around the local railway system, Thomasville is home to the oldest railroad depot in the state, just a few hundred feet from the city’s most notable landmark, “The Big Chair”. Thomasville is commonly referred to as the “Chair Town” or “Chair City”, in reference to a 30 foot landmark replica of a Duncan Phyfe armchair that rests in the middle of the city. The original “Big Chair” was constructed in 1922 by the Thomasville Chair Company (now Thomasville Furniture Industries) out of lumber and Swiss steer hide to reflect the city’s prominent furniture industry. However, this chair was scrapped in 1936 after 15 years of exposure to the weather. In 1951, a larger concrete version of the chair was erected with the collaboration of local businesses and civic organizations and still remains today. Thomasville has been historically associated with furniture and cabinetry manufacture, as well as for a wholesale and retail furniture market. “Thomasville” is used as a trade designation for artisan furniture made by either Thomasville Furniture Industries or furniture companies that are based in the city. Thomasville Furniture Industries was started here in 1904 as a chair company before becoming a furniture manufacturing company in the 1960s. The Thomasville Furniture Industries Showroom is the only part of the company still located in the city.
Although Thomasville is located in Davidson County, it has its own public school system. The Thomasville City Schools system consists of four schools: Thomasville Primary (K-2), Liberty Drive Elementary (3-5), Thomasville Middle School (6-8), Thomasville High School (9-12).
The city is also home to the Thomasville Medical Center a full service facility that has been serving the community since the 1930’s. Thomasville offers an outstanding combination of lifestyle features that make it a good choice to call home. Whether you want recreation, shopping, dining or more – it’s all available close by.
