Editing Reidsville, North Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Reidsville, North Carolina
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = "Live Simply. Think Big."

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = South Scales Street in Reidsville 2.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = South Scales Street
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = Reidsville, NC City Seal.jpg
| pushpin_map              = North Carolina#USA
| pushpin_label_position   = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location of Reidsville, North Carolina
| pushpin_mapsize          = 
| image_map                = 
| mapsize                  = 
| map_caption              = 
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Donald L. Gorham
| leader_title1            = [[Mayor Pro-Tem]]
| leader_name1             = Harry L. Brown
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 1873

<!-- Area -->| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 42.09
| area_land_km2            = 38.36
| area_water_km2           = 3.73
| area_total_sq_mi         = 16.25
| area_land_sq_mi          = 14.81
| area_water_sq_mi         = 1.44

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 14583
| population_density_km2   = 380.16
| population_density_sq_mi = 984.61

<!-- General information -->| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 732
| coordinates              = {{coord|36|20|16|N|79|40|21|W|region:US-NC_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code              = 27320, 27323
| area_code                = [[Area code 336|336]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 37-55900<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2404605<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404605}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.reidsvillenc.gov/}}
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
}}
'''Reidsville''' is a city in [[Rockingham County, North Carolina|Rockingham County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]].<ref name=gnis/> At the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city had a total population of 14,583.<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2021">{{cite web   |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=9 July 2022}}</ref> Reidsville is included in the [[Piedmont Triad|Greensboro–High Point Metropolitan Statistical Area]] of the [[Piedmont Triad]].

Reidsville was established in the early 19th century as an outpost and stop on the stage line that ran between Salisbury, North Carolina, and Danville, Virginia, and was originally known as '''Wright's Crossroads'''. The community grew from a single home and inn owned by the family of Reuben Reid, a local farmer, businessman, justice of the peace and father of [[David S. Reid]]), into a thriving farming community primarily supporting tobacco production and cigarette manufacturing. Reidsville was officially incorporated by the [[North Carolina General Assembly|North Carolina State Legislature]] in 1873 and became a key location of the [[American Tobacco Company]] which employed large numbers of city and county residents. The [[American Tobacco Company]] was the mainstay of Reidsville economics until its sale and closure in 1994. Many textile mills were established in Reidsville as well, with [[Cone Mills]] and [[Burlington Industries]], located in Burlington North Carolina, consolidating most of them in the mid-20th century, although most have now closed. Although Reidsville has experienced economic recession in recent years the community has enjoyed a renewal of growth as a sleeper city supplying a source of [[rural development]] for the surrounding larger cities.

==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2010}}
[[File:Post Office and Confederate statue - Reidsville, North Carolina (1912).jpg|thumb|right|Post office and Confederate statue (1912)]]
The roots of Reidsville date back to the early 19th century when William Wright of the [[Little Troublesome Creek (Haw River tributary)|Little Troublesome Creek]] area owned a tavern and store on the road connecting Danville and Salem. This outpost, called Wright's Crossroads, was the earliest settlement in the present-day city and was overseen by Wright's son, Nathan, and then Nathan Wright's son-in-law, Robert Payne Richardson. Richardson's home, built in 1842 on a knoll overlooking Little Troublesome Creek, still remains on Richardson Drive and has the distinction of being the oldest standing house in the city.

Reuben Reid of the Hogan's Creek area moved his family, including wife, Elizabeth Williams Settle, and son, David Settle Reid, to a {{convert|700|acre|km2|adj=on}} farm on the ridge between Wolf Island and Little Troublesome creeks in May 1814. Reuben Reid became a successful farmer, operated a store and a public inn maintained in a private home and served the county as a constable and justice of the peace. When the family secured a post office, aptly named Reidsville, in 1829, 16-year-old David Reid was appointed its first postmaster. He later became a State Senator (1835–42), a U.S. Congressman (1843–47), Governor of North Carolina (1850) and a U.S. Senator (1854).

On November 26, 1858, William Lindsey of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, was high bidder for a {{convert|384|acre|km2|adj=on}} tract of land known as Reidsville. He and his bride, Sarah Holderby, a daughter of Joseph Holderby of the northern part of the county, moved into the frame house Reuben Reid had built across from his store. It is now a landmark in Reidsville, the first frame house built in the village.

[[File:American Tobacco Factory in Reidsville.jpg|thumb|American Tobacco factory building]]
Reidsville is located in east-central Rockingham County. The Southern Railroad passes through the center of the city from north to south. However, the town has not had a functional train station since 1988.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://greensboro.com/reidsville-considers-renovating-eroded-train-station/article_c67dde23-a244-5e92-8ae4-8e76a589187e.html | title=Reidsville Considers Renovating Eroded Train Station | date=June 16, 1992 }}</ref> The town was incorporated in 1873 by the Legislature. Tobacco was a mainstay of the local economy for many years, with the history of the city tightly woven with that of American Tobacco Company. With the sale of American Tobacco in 1994, city leaders have diversified the local economy. The Reidsville Chamber of Commerce, established in 1923 by business leaders in the community, is now located downtown.

The [[Chinqua-Penn Plantation]], [[First Baptist Church (Reidsville, North Carolina)|First Baptist Church]], [[Jennings-Baker House]], [[Richardson Houses Historic District]], [[Reuben Wallace McCollum House]], [[North Washington Avenue Workers' House]], [[Penn House]], [[Gov. David S. Reid House]], [[Reidsville High School, Former]], and [[Reidsville Historic District]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|13.4|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|1.5|sqmi|km2}} is water. The total area is 10.14% water.

===Downtown area===
[[File:Reidsville NC Market Square.jpg|thumb|Market Square]]
[[File:Reidsville Town Hall.jpg|thumb|City hall]]
The downtown area of Reidsville was like many of its counterparts across the state in the 1970s, seeing a decline in business opportunities due to the emergence of malls and shopping centers. The Reidsville Downtown Corporation, a non-profit organization financed by monies from the Downtown District Tax, was created in 1976 to lead the charge to revitalize the downtown.

Joint projects of the Downtown Corporation and the City of Reidsville have been participation in the Main Street Program, the Streetscape Program and Façade Incentive Grant program. Each of these programs was initiated to aid in the revitalization of the downtown and improve the area aesthetically.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1880 = 1316
| 1890 = 2969
| 1900 = 3262
| 1910 = 4828
| 1920 = 5333
| 1930 = 6851
| 1940 = 10387
| 1950 = 11708
| 1960 = 14267
| 1970 = 13636
| 1980 = 12492
| 1990 = 12183
| 2000 = 14485
| 2010 = 14520
| 2020 = 14583
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 14566
| estref = <ref>{{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}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Reidsville racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3755900&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-21|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 6,968
| 47.78%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 5,858
| 40.17%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 36
| 0.25%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 90
| 0.62%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 13
| 0.09%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 592
| 4.06%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 1,026
| 7.04%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 14,583 people, 6,166 households, and 3,565 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
At the 2010 [[census]],<ref name="GR2" /> there were 14,520 people, 6,013 households and 3,902 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,083.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,477 housing units at an average density of {{convert|484.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 57.02% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 39.52% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.21% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.64% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.35% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.19% from two or more races. 2.63% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 6,013 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.92.

23.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.

The [[median household income]] was $31,040 and the median family income was $37,553. Males had a median income of $30,745 versus $21,991 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,414. 15.1% of the population and 11.6% of families were below the [[poverty line]].  23.9% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

==Notable people ==
* [[Scott Bankhead]] – [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] pitcher and Olympian in men's baseball at [[1984 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Na Brown]] – [[National Football League|NFL]] [[wide receiver]]
* [[Nelson Cole]] – North Carolina [[State Representative]]
* [[Max Drake]] – musician
* [[Jim Duncan (defensive end)|Jim Duncan]] – NFL defensive end, college coach, and [[Canadian Football League]] coach<ref>[http://www.ncshof.org/inductees_detail.php?i_recid=84 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame | Raleigh, NC] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210102630/http://www.ncshof.org/inductees_detail.php?i_recid=84 |date=February 10, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Mike Goodes]] – [[PGA Tour Champions]] golfer
* [[Ione Grogan]] – academic, mathematician, educator
* [[Patricia Wright Gwyn]] – American politician and librarian
* [[Lindsey Hopkins Sr.]] – American businessman, financier and philanthropist
* [[Walter Hooper]] – American Author, Professor, and advisor to the estate of [[C. S. Lewis]] 
* [[Jennifer King]] – first full-time black female coach in NFL history
* [[Bill Lindsey]] – MLB catcher for [[Chicago White Sox]] and [[New York Yankees]]
* [[Bryan Mitchell]] – MLB pitcher for the Yankees, Padres and Marlins
* [[Mary Lambeth Moore]] – writer and podcaster
* [[Janet Paschal]] – singer, songwriter, author<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janetpaschal.com |title=Janet Paschal official site |publisher=Janetpaschal.com |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref>
* [[H. Jefferson Powell]] – former Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the U.S., American Lawyer, Professor
* [[David Settle Reid]] – [[governor of North Carolina]] from 1851 to 1854 and a [[U.S. Senator]] 
* [[Tony Rice]] – bluegrass musician
* [[R. Stephen Ritchie]] – the only [[U.S. Air Force]] pilot [[flying ace|ace]] of the [[Vietnam War]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acepilots.com/vietnam/ritchie.html |title=Steve Ritchie, Phantom pilot, only US Air Force Ace of Vietnam War |publisher=Acepilots.com |access-date=2012-10-15}}</ref>
* [[Nick Sacrinty]] – NFL [[quarterback]]<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SacrNi20.htm Nick Sacrinty Stats]. ''Pro-Football-Reference''. Retrieved December 22, 2023.</ref>
* [[John Settle]] – NFL [[running back]] and [[Pro Bowl]] selection in 1988, college and NFL coach
* [[Jerome Simpson]] – NFL wide receiver
* [[Dana Trent|J. Dana Trent]] –  American author, professor, and minister
* [[Tripp Welborne]] – NFL safety and punt returner

==Accolades==
* [[All-America City Award]] – 2008

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Reidsville, North Carolina}}
{{Wikivoyage|Reidsville (North Carolina)|Reidsville}}
*{{Official website|https://www.reidsvillenc.gov/}}

{{Rockingham County, North Carolina}}
{{Piedmont Triad}}
{{North Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Reidsville, North Carolina|*]]
[[Category:Cities in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Cities in Rockingham County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1842]]
[[Category:1842 establishments in North Carolina]]