Mount Airy is a city located in Surry County, North Carolina, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,484.
Mount Airy was the home of American actor Andy Griffith, and the inspiration for the fictional community Mayberry, the setting of The Andy Griffith Show. Several locations mentioned in the show reflect real sites in or near Mount Airy, including Mount Pilot (nearby Pilot Mountain) and Snappy Lunch, a restaurant which still stands in the city's downtown. The community holds an annual "Mayberry Days" celebration which regularly attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.
Mount Airy is also the home of the famous Siamese Twins, Chang and Eng Bunker (1811-1874), Chinese brothers born in Siam, now Thailand. Chang and Eng were joined by a band of cartilage at the chest (xiphopagus). In modern times, they could be easily separated. For many years they traveled with the Barnum circus. In the 1840s they married sisters Sarah and Adelaide Yates of North Carolina and purchased two adjoining farm properties just west of Mount Airy. Together they fathered between 20 and 23 children (accounts vary, and in any case, many of the children passed away in early childhood). The twins would spend three days at one farm then three days at the second farm. They owned slaves and during the American Civil War many of the their descendants fought for the Confederacy. In January of 1874, Chang, who was a heavy drinker and had fallen ill with pneumonia, died during the night. Eng also died within a few hours, surrounded by his and his brother's families. Many of their descendants still live in the Mount Airy area.
Even though Mayberry may be representative of Mount Airy, it is not to be confused with the fictional town. There are some similarities but the differences outnumber them. The City of Mount Airy markets and profits off of the idea of Mayberry, which draws tourists and money into the area. Citizens of Mount Airy normally take pride in the Mayberry theme, but others are embarrassed by the association. These citizens would actually like to see Mount Airy showing off and marketing its own rich heritage.
In any case, downtown Mount Airy looks nothing like TV's Mayberry, as the show was filmed entirely in Hollywood, California, on the RKO Pictures backlot called "Forty Acres".
Mount Airy's most notable feature is its granite quarry, the largest open-faced quarry in the United States.
Mount Airy is also the hometown of country singer Donna Fargo.
Mount Airy is located at 36°30'3" North, 80°36'34" West (36.500756, -80.609311).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.7 km2 (8.4 mi2). 21.7 km2 (8.4 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 8,484 people, 3,667 households, and 2,130 families residing in the city. The population density is 390.4/km2 (1,010.8/mi2). There are 4,129 housing units at an average density of 190.0/km2 (491.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 85.34% White, 7.99% African American, 0.35% Native American, 2.55% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 5.87% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,667 households out of which 24.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% are married couples living together, 14.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% are non-families. 38.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 19.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.16 and the average family size is 2.87.
In the city the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 84.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $26,910, and the median income for a family is $33,412. Males have a median income of $27,299 versus $24,830 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,237. 19.9% of the population and 17.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.7% of those under the age of 18 and 20.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Source:
MountAiryNorthCarolina.com
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