Editing Salisbury, North Carolina

{{Use American English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = June 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Salisbury, North Carolina
| settlement_type    = [[City (North Carolina)|City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = SalisburyNCMontageUpdated.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Clockwise from top left: Rowan County Courthouse, ''[[Fame (Confederate monument)|Fame]]'' statue, [[St. John's Lutheran Church (Salisbury, North Carolina)|St. John's Lutheran Church]], Farmers & Merchants Bank, the Bell Tower Green
| image_flag         = Salisbury, NC City Flag.gif
| flag_size          = 110px
| image_seal         = Seal of Salisbury, North Carolina.png
| seal_size          = 90px
<!-- Maps -->| image_map          = NCMap-doton-Salisbury.PNG
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location of Salisbury, North Carolina
| 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  = [[Rowan County, North Carolina|Rowan]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 1763
<!-- 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     = 57.05
| area_land_km2      = 57.05
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 22.03
| area_land_sq_mi    = 22.03
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 35540
| population_density_km2 = 622.98
| population_density_sq_mi = 1613.47
<!-- 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       = 702
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|39|56|N|80|29|27|W|region:US-NC_type:Town|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 28144-28147-28146
| area_code          = [[Area code 704|704]],980
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 37-58860<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        = 2405407<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2405407}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://salisburync.gov/}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/salisburycitynorthcarolina/PST045222|title=QuickFacts: Salisbury city, North Carolina|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2023-05-21}}</ref>
| population_est     = 35808
| name               = 
}}

'''Salisbury''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɔː|l|z|b|ɛ|r|i}} {{respell|SAWLZ|ber|ee}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/salisbury|title=Salisbury &#124; Meanings & Definitions of English Words|website=Dictionary.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NC Pronunciation Guide|url=https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/blogpost/10331495/|website=Wral.com|date=November 3, 2011 |accessdate=August 15, 2022}}</ref> is a [[city]] in the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] region of [[North Carolina]], United States; it has been the [[county seat]] of [[Rowan County, North Carolina|Rowan County]] since 1753 when its territory extended to the Mississippi River.<ref name='Rumple'/><ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Located {{convert|25|mi}} northeast of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] and within its [[Charlotte metropolitan area|metropolitan area]], the town has attracted a growing population. The [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] shows 35,580 residents.

Salisbury is the oldest continually populated colonial town in the western region of North Carolina. It is noted for its historic preservation, with five Local Historic Districts and ten National Register Historic Districts.

Soft drink producer [[Cheerwine]] and regional supermarket [[Food Lion]] are located in Salisbury and [[Rack Room Shoes]] was founded there.

==History==
[[File:Rowan County Courthouse Salisbury North Carolina.jpg|thumb|left|Old Rowan County Courthouse in Salisbury, 1934]]
[[File:PhC 25 453.jpg|thumb|left|Main Street (1914)]]
[[File:A doffer boy. Salisbury, N.C. - NARA - 523137.jpg|thumb|Child laborer in Salisbury, 1908]]

In 1753, an appointed Anglo-European trustee for Rowan County was directed to enter {{convert|40|acres|}} of land for a County Seat, and public buildings were erected. The deed is dated February 11, 1755, when [[John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville]] conveyed {{convert|635|acres|}} for the "Salisbury Township".<ref name='Rumple'>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofrowanco00rump#page/76/mode/2up|title=A history of Rowan County, North Carolina: with Sections on Prominent Families and Distinguished Men|author=Rumple, Jethro Rev.|publisher=J.J. Bruner, Salisbury, North Carolina, republished by the DAR in 1916|year=1881|access-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref> The settlement was built at the intersection of longtime Native American trading routes. It became an economic hub along what was improved as the [[Great Wagon Road]] in North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9780738598420/Salisbury|title=''Salisbury''|website=arcadiapublishing.com|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> It became the principal city of the [[Salisbury District, North Carolina|Salisbury judicial and militia districts]] in the years leading up to the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref name='Rumple'/>  On June 12, 1792, Salisbury was granted a US Post Office. Its first postmaster was George Lauman. This post office has been in continuous operation ever since.<ref name=Lewis>{{cite web|url=http://www.carolana.com/NC/Towns/Salisbury_NC.html|title=A History of Salisbury, North Carolina|author=Lewis, J.D.|access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2011/07/22/remembering-bygone-days-of-rowan-mills/|title=Remembering bygone days of Rowan Mills|author=Salisbury Post|date=July 22, 2011}}</ref>

During the United States [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Salisbury was home to the first and only [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] Prison in North Carolina, used to house captured Union [[Prisoner of war|prisoners-of-war (POWs)]], dissident Southerners, and Confederate defectors. On July 9, 1861, six weeks after North Carolina declared secession from the Union, the Confederate government asked [[Henry Toole Clark|Governor Henry T. Clark]] if the state could provide a place to hold prisoners of war (POWs). The 20-year-old Maxwell Chambers textile mill in Salisbury, then vacant, was retrofitted for that purpose. The prison was only designed to hold up to 2,500 prisoners, but by 1864, more than 10,000 prisoners had arrived due to the [[Atlanta in the American Civil War|fall of Atlanta]] and the ongoing [[Richmond in the American Civil War|siege of Richmond, Virginia]]. By February 1865, prisoners were  transferred out of the Salisbury prison, and in April 1865, Union Major [[George Stoneman]] destroyed the prison and other Confederate installations collectively known as the Salisbury Arsenal. The next month, Federal troops occupied the town, and in early September 1865 the Union commander turned over civil control of Salisbury to local town officials.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Confederate Prison (Salisbury) {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/confederate-prison-salisbury |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Ncpedia.org}}</ref> The [[Salisbury National Cemetery]] was established on a portion of the former prison site, starting because of thousands of Union soldiers who died while imprisoned.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Salisbury National Cemetery--Civil War Era National Cemeteries: A Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary |url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/national_cemeteries/north_carolina/salisbury_national_cemetery.html |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Nps.gov}}</ref>

In the antebellum period and after the American Civil War, Salisbury was the trading city of an upland area devoted to cultivation of cotton as a commodity crop. It was also the business and law center of the county. Numerous houses and other structures were built by wealthy planters and merchants in this period. In the late 19th century, the city was served by railroads, becoming a railroad hub as people and freight were transported along the eastern corridor.

After three black men were [[lynching|lynched]] in Salisbury in 1906, one of the lynchers was prosecuted. This resulted in the first conviction for lynching in North Carolina, and one of the first in the United States.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Clegg |first=Claude Andrew |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/768084141 |title=Troubled ground : a tale of murder, lynching, and reckoning in the New South |date=2010 |isbn=978-0-252-09009-7 |location=Urbana [Ill.] |oclc=768084141|author-link=Claude Clegg}}</ref>

In the 20th century, Salisbury's economy grew into an industrial-based economy. Entrepreneurs developed the textile industry for processing cotton, first, and numerous textile mills operated in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.isjl.org/north-carolina-salisbury-encyclopedia.html|title=Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities – Salisbury, North Carolina Salisbury|publisher=Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life|year=2017}}</ref>

The industry owners moved their jobs and mills offshore in the late 20th century, to areas with cheaper labor costs. This change cost the city and area many jobs, and unemployment rose for a period. Since 2000, the city's population has grown rapidly, with people attracted to the city's resources and amenities.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], as of 2010, the city has a total area of {{convert|22.14|sqmi|km2}}, all land.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/salisburycitynorthcarolina,US/PST045219|title=Salisbury, North Carolina|access-date=March 2, 2021|website=Census Bureau}}</ref>

Salisbury is located in the Central Piedmont of North Carolina in the [[Charlotte metropolitan area]]. The city is 21 miles north of [[Concord, North Carolina|Concord]], 38 miles south of [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]], and 25 miles northeast of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].

===Climate===
{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Salisbury, North Carolina (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =50.2
| Feb high F  =54.2
| Mar high F  =62.0
| Apr high F  =71.6
| May high F  =78.3
| Jun high F  =85.2
| Jul high F  =88.2
| Aug high F  =86.4
| Sep high F  =80.5
| Oct high F  =71.6
| Nov high F  =60.8
| Dec high F  =52.9
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =39.6
| Feb mean F  =43.0
| Mar mean F  =50.1
| Apr mean F  =59.6
| May mean F  =67.3
| Jun mean F  =75.0
| Jul mean F  =78.4
| Aug mean F  =76.9
| Sep mean F  =70.5
| Oct mean F  =59.8
| Nov mean F  =49.0
| Dec mean F  =42.2
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =29.0
| Feb low F  =31.8
| Mar low F  =38.2
| Apr low F  =47.6
| May low F  =56.3
| Jun low F  =64.8
| Jul low F  =68.6
| Aug low F  =67.3
| Sep low F  =60.5
| Oct low F  =48.1
| Nov low F  =37.3
| Dec low F  =31.5
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =3.46
| Feb precipitation inch  =2.97
| Mar precipitation inch  =4.09
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.69
| May precipitation inch  =3.43
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.28
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.59
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.74
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.83
| Oct precipitation inch  =2.97
| Nov precipitation inch  =3.13
| Dec precipitation inch  =3.50
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =1.4
| Feb snow inch  =0.1
| Mar snow inch  =0.1
| 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  =0.8
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00317615 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-03-05 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1850 = 1086
| 1860 = 2420
| 1880 = 2723
| 1890 = 4418
| 1900 = 6277
| 1910 = 7153
| 1920 = 13884
| 1930 = 16951
| 1940 = 19037
| 1950 = 20102
| 1960 = 21297
| 1970 = 22515
| 1980 = 22677
| 1990 = 23087
| 2000 = 26462
| 2010 = 33662
| 2020 = 35540
| estyear = 2021
| estimate = 35760
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2021">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/salisburycitynorthcarolina/PST045221|title=QuickFacts: Salisbury city, North Carolina|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2023-04-11}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{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}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 35,540 people, 12,524 households, and 7,325 families residing in the city.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Salisbury racial composition<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data: 2020 Decennial Census |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3758860&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)
| 15,785
| 44.41%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 12,689
| 35.7%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 105
| 0.3%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 499
| 1.4%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 22
| 0.06%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 1,380
| 3.88%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 5,060
| 14.24%
|}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 33,663 people, 10,276 households, and 6,186 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,488.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 11,288 housing units at an average density of {{convert|634.9|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the city was 57.30% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 37.56% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.28% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.92% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.48% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.30% of the population.
 
There were 10,276 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,923, and the median income for a family was $41,108. Males had a median income of $31,149 versus $25,019 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,864. About 12.2% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.3% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over. 2010 Census data will be available in January 2011.

==Economy==
===Shopping===
Salisbury is home to a downtown area that encompasses several blocks near the intersection of Innes Street and Main Street. Because of the decline in the textile industry and the rise of suburban malls, the downtown area still has vacant buildings. The retail features more unique, locally owned businesses and merchants. Downtown Salisbury provides an array of shops, antique stores, and cultural attractions. Downtown Nights Out, held from time to time throughout the year, provide opportunities for late night shopping, musical entertainment, and fine dining.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2009/11/30/downtown-salisbury-hosts-holiday-night-out-2/|title=Downtown Salisbury hosts Holiday Night Out|author=Salibury Post|date=November 30, 2009|access-date=February 20, 2019}}></ref> Shopping centers include [[West End Plaza]], and formerly the [[Rowan Mall]].

===Broadband networks===
In 2015 Salisbury's Fibrant system (later called Hotwire) became capable of 10 gigabit capacity town-wide; it is thought to be the only town-owned system in the world with such capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wfae.org/post/private-company-taking-over-salisburys-money-losing-internet-network#stream/0|title=Private Company Taking Over Salisbury's Money-Losing Internet Network|author=|date=June 2018 |access-date=May 14, 2019}}, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160113164219/http://www.americas10gigcity.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FibrantPostEventPressRelease.pdf Old Link]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muninetworks.org/tags-95|title=Salisbury - Community Broadband networks|access-date=August 15, 2014|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019203315/https://muninetworks.org/tags-95|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Archived |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20140703/SP01/140709915/0/SEARCH&slId=4 |website=Salisburypost.com |access-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819130212/http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20140703/SP01/140709915/0/SEARCH&slId%3D4 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |language=en}}{{dead link|date=June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/12/02/after-a-lag-hotwire-continues-transition-from-fibrant/|title=After a lag, Hotwire continues transition from Fibrant|last=Moomey|first=Liz|website=Salisburypost.com|date=2 December 2018|access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref>

===Major employers===
Major employers in Salisbury include the headquarters of [[Food Lion]], a regional grocery chain that is one of the US subsidiaries of [[Ahold Delhaize]];<ref>"[https://www.aholddelhaize.com/brands/ Ahold Delhaize Brands]." [[Food Lion]]. Retrieved on January 25, 2025.</ref> the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, the City of Salisbury, and the County of Rowan. Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and the Rowan Salisbury School System, are also major employers. Smaller employers include textile mills and other manufacturing businesses. In 2019, the pet food retailer [[Chewy (company)|Chewy]] announced it would build a 700,000 square foot facility employing 1,200.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2016/03/29/progress-whos-biggest/|title=Spirit of Rowan: Who's the biggest of them all?|author=Cook, Elizabeth|website=Salisbury Post|date=March 29, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/4-19-2019/chewy-fulfillment-center-rowan-county-north-carolina.shtml|title=Chewy Plans Salisbury, North Carolina, Fulfillment Center|website=Areadevelopment.com|date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
===Historic preservation===
[[File:SalisburyNCConfederateStatute.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Gloria Victis (Confederate monument)|Salisbury Confederate Monument]], ''Gloria Victis'' (moved in 2020 to the Old Lutheran Cemetery)<ref>Bergeron, Josh. (July 7, 2020). [https://salisburypost.com/2020/07/07/111-years-after-its-dedication-fame-hoisted-away-from-west-innes-street/ 111 years after its dedication, 'Fame' hoisted away from West Innes Street]. ''Salisbury Post''. Retrieved December 15, 2020.</ref>]]

Salisbury has developed a strong record of historic preservation since the late 20th century. It is the site of a noted [[prisoner of war]] camp during the [[American Civil War]] and has ten National Register historic districts. The city has many historic homes and commercial buildings dating from the 19th century and early 20th century, several of which are individually listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Historic Preservation|url=http://www.ci.salisbury.nc.us/lm&d/historic/historic.html|publisher=City of Salisbury, North Carolina|access-date=24 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207080432/http://www.ci.salisbury.nc.us/lm%26d/historic/historic.html|archive-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>

Since 1975, Salisbury City Council has designated five Local Historic Districts, encompassing hundreds of historically and architecturally significant buildings. Owners of properties within locally designated historic districts are required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Salisbury Historic Preservation Commission before making exterior changes to residential or commercial buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://salisburync.gov/Government/Community-Planning-Services/Historic-Preservation|title=Historic Preservation|website=Salisburync.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref> The City of Salisbury offers a variety of incentive grants to historic homeowners and downtown business owners to defray the cost of repairs and rehabilitation projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://salisburync.gov/Government/Community-Planning-Services/Grant-Applications|title=Grant Applications|website=Salisburync.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref>

===Walking tour===
A walking tour begins at the Rowan County Convention and Visitor's Bureau and winds through the history of Salisbury and the state's Piedmont Region. Structures from the 19th century, as well as artifacts, such as the desk that President [[Andrew Jackson]] used when he studied law in Salisbury, are viewable. The Rowan Museum has exhibits that incorporate the use of three buildings: Salisbury's 1854 County Courthouse, the circa 1815 [[Maxwell Chambers House|Utzman–Chambers House Museum]], and the 1820 [[Josephus Hall House]]. These provide information regarding Historic Salisbury. The City of Salisbury currently has 10 National Register Historic Districts with more than 1,200 contributing properties.<ref name=Tour>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitsalisburync.com/listing/salisbury-heritage-walking-tour/93/|title=Salisbury Heritage Walking Tour|access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref>

The Salisbury History and Art Trail is made up of a series of markers throughout the city that incorporate both history and art for self-guided tours. They mark events and stories from Salisbury's past. The markers are organized info five broad historic eras. This trail was jointly developed by Downtown Salisbury, Inc. and the Salisbury Community Appearance Commission.<ref name=Tour/>

===Cultural arts community===
The Salisbury community has numerous cultural resources and strong citizen support and stewardship for arts and cultural development. It works to protect existing resources while linking arts and cultural resources to key economic, neighborhood development, educational, and social goals of the broader community.<ref name="scapes">[http://www.ci.salisbury.nc.us/lm&d/Cultural%20Action%20Plan/Exec%20Sum%202.pdf Salisbury Cultural Action Plan Executive Summary, Mary Berryman Agard, & Associates] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001055246/http://www.ci.salisbury.nc.us/lm%26d/Cultural%20Action%20Plan/Exec%20Sum%202.pdf |date=2011-10-01 }}, 2008 July. Retrieved 2010-08-05</ref>

Salisbury has a strong commitment to historic preservation, high levels of arts and cultural activity, a citizen base that places high value on arts education, and a strong local tradition of civic volunteerism. The city has a growing population of professional and amateur artists drawn from many disciplines, with support from local patrons and foundations. It has a high rate of participation in and support for the arts, coupled with an emerging downtown public art program.<ref name="scapes" />

The Salisbury Sculpture Show is an example of an existing public art program. The local Rowan Arts Council offers a Rowan Art Crawl on the second Saturday of each month: this provides access to more than 25 professional artists, studios, and galleries. The Rail Walk Arts District, located near the restored Salisbury railroad depot, features an array of artists and galleries.

The Waterworks Visual Arts Center provides diverse opportunities in the arts through exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra performs in the city. Performances of live theatre take place at the Piedmont Players Theatre (Meroney Theatre & Norvell Children's Theatre), Lee Street Theatre, and Looking Glass Collective Black Box Theater, with other opportunities for community engagement.

Bell Tower Green, a park which takes up most of the block bounded by Innes, Church, Fisher and Jackson Streets and named for the [[bell tower]] that was part of the former building of First Presbyterian Church, officially opened October 1, 2021 after more than two years of construction, funded primarily with more than $13 million in donations. It is expected to help with economic development in the downtown area<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2021/10/02/officials-say-newly-opened-bell-tower-green-park-is-critical-to-citys-future/|title=Officials say newly opened Bell Tower Green Park is critical to city's future|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=Salisbury Post|date=October 2, 2021|access-date=October 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2021/07/01/countdown-begins-for-bell-tower-green-parks-opening-to-public//|title=Countdown begins for Bell Tower Green Park's opening to public|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|work=Salisbury Post|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=October 2, 2021}}</ref> and it adds a location for concerts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2021/11/07/trio-of-performers-give-bell-tower-green-park-its-first-outdoor-concert/|title=Performers give Bell Tower Green Park its first outdoor concert|last=Blankenship|first=Carl|work=Salisbury Post|date=November 7, 2021|access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref>

===Libraries===
The headquarters of the Rowan County Public Library is located at 201 W Fisher Street in Salisbury. This library contains the Edith M. Clark History Room, with concentration of works on western North Carolina history and genealogy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rowancountync.gov/308/History-Genealogy|title=Rowan County Public Library|access-date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514135120/https://www.rowancountync.gov/308/History-Genealogy|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Government==
Salisbury is governed by a [[city council]], which was chaired by the [[mayor]], Karen Alexander. The other city council members include: mayor [[pro tempore]] Tamara Sheffield, David Post, Anthony Smith, Harry Mclaughlin.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bergeron|first=Josh|title=Incumbents win top spots in Salisbury; Post and Hardin to join council|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/11/04/incumbents-secure-top-three-spots-in-salisbury-city-council-race/|access-date=5 January 2015|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=4 November 2015}}</ref> Members of the council are elected from single-member districts.

The city council appoints a [[city manager]] to run the day-to-day operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20140618/SP01/140619714/0/SEARCH%26slId%3D20|title=Salisbury Post|access-date=June 18, 2014|archive-date=August 15, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140815190838/http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20140618/SP01/140619714/0/SEARCH&slId=20|url-status=dead}},</ref> W. Lane Bailey was appointed as City Manager February 18, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/02/18/salisbury-city-council-hires-seasoned-city-manager/|title=Salisbury City Council hires 'seasoned' city manager - Salisbury Post|website=Salisburypost.com|date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Since 2011, the City of Salisbury's financial foundation has been strengthened due to management's actions, which resulted in two credit rating increases to bring the city to a AA rating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.salisburypost.com/article/20131101/SP01/131109964?template=mobile_story |title=S&P upgrades city's bond rating again &#124; Salisbury, NC |publisher=Salisbury Post |date=2013-11-01 |access-date=2012-12-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235632/http://m.salisburypost.com/article/20131101/SP01/131109964?template=mobile_story |archive-date=2013-12-30 }}</ref>

On the state level, Salisbury is represented in the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]] as a part of the 77th district, which includes the city and northern and western parts of [[Rowan County, North Carolina|Rowan County]]. The current representative is Republican [[Harry J. Warren]]. Salisbury is represented in the [[North Carolina Senate]], as part of the 34th district, by Republican [[Andrew Brock]] as a part of the 34th district. Senator Brock also represents [[Davie County, North Carolina|Davie County]].

On the national level, Salisbury is a part of [[North Carolina's 8th congressional district]]. It is represented by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Dan Bishop]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Carolina's 8th Congressional District - NC-08 Representatives & District Map |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NC/8#q=&marker_lng=-80.4660147&marker_lat=35.5916577 |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=GovTrack.us |language=en}}</ref> The state's senior member of the United States Senate is Republican [[Thom Tillis]], who was elected to the Senate in 2014. The junior Senator is Republican [[Ted Budd]], who was elected in 2022.

The law enforcement authority is the [[Salisbury Police Department (North Carolina)|Salisbury Police Department]].

==Education==
[[File:Salisbury High School 2.jpg|thumb|right|[[Salisbury High School (North Carolina)|Salisbury High School]]]]
[[File:CatawbaCollege.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Catawba College]]]]
Salisbury has a number of educational institutions, both public and private.

===Rowan–Salisbury School System===
{{main|Rowan–Salisbury School System}}
The Rowan–Salisbury School System was formed in 1989 after the merger of the Rowan County Schools and the Salisbury City Schools.<ref>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Sarah|title=Developer offers plans for central office downtown for schools|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/070111-School-board-central-office-qcd|access-date=26 October 2011|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=1 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703134140/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/070111-School-board-central-office-qcd|archive-date=3 July 2011}}</ref> Most notable is [[Salisbury High School (North Carolina)|Salisbury High School]]. There are two charter school in Rowan County, Essie Mae Kiser Foxx Charter School, in [[East Spencer, North Carolina|East Spencer]] and Faith Academy Charter School in Faith North Carolina.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rowan County|url=http://apps.schools.nc.gov/ords/f?p=125:1100|work=EDDIE Charter Schools Report|publisher=North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction|access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref>

===Private schools===
Many private schools, both inside and outside the city of Salisbury, serve its citizens. Some schools were founded as segregation academies when the public school system was integrated.

* North Hills Christian School (PK-12)
* Rockwell Christian School (PK-12)
* RCHSA, [[Homeschooling|Homeschool]] group (any age)
* [[Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Salisbury, North Carolina)|Sacred Heart Catholic School]] (K-8)
* Salisbury Academy (3K-12)
* Salisbury Adventist School (K-7)
* Salisbury Christian School (K-12)
* St. John's Kindergarten (PK-K)

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Catawba College]]
* [[Livingstone College]]
* [[Rowan–Cabarrus Community College]]
* Hood Theological Seminary

==Media==
The ''[[Salisbury Post]]'', founded in 1905, is the local daily newspaper.

[[WSAT]], "Memories 1280", is an AM radio station whose programming consists largely of older pop music. It also broadcasts games of the [[Carolina Panthers]], Catawba College, and local high schools.

[[WSTP]] is an AM station associated with Catawba College and training students for broadcasting careers. Co-owned with WSAT, the station went dark on August 30, 2016, citing signal issues.

[[iHeartMedia]]-owned alternative rock radio station [[WEND]] (New Rock 106.5 The End) is licensed to Salisbury; its transmitter is located in China Grove.

Salisbury has no broadcast television stations licensed in the city, but is served by network affiliates and independent stations broadcasting from nearby Charlotte. WSRG-TV is a government-access channel located on Hotwire (the city's former [[fiber optic]] telephone, Internet and [[MVPD]] service) on channel 394 and [[Spectrum (cable service)|Spectrum]] Salisbury (channel 16) but not available by satellite. It serves Rowan County, including Salisbury, Granite Quarry, Rockwell, Faith, China Grove and Cleveland.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===

[[Amtrak]]'s [[Crescent (Amtrak)|Crescent]], [[Carolinian (train)|Carolinian]], and [[Piedmont (train)|Piedmont]] trains connect Salisbury with the cities of [[New York City|New York]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]], [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]], [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]], [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]], [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] and [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]. The [[Salisbury, North Carolina (Amtrak station)|Amtrak station]] is situated at Depot and Liberty streets.

Salisbury is also served by [[Interstate 85]], US Highways 601, 29, 52, and 70, and the [[Mid-Carolina Regional Airport]] (formerly Rowan County Airport).

Salisbury is just south of the halfway point between [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] and [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]. Exits 74 (Julian Road), 75 (US Highway 601/Jake Alexander Boulevard), and 76 (Innes Street/US Highway 52) are designated as Salisbury exits from I85.

The City of Salisbury's Transit System (STS) provides public transportation and offers three routes.<ref>[http://www.salisburync.gov/Departments/PublicServices/TransitOperation/Pages/default.aspx Transit Operations], City of Salisbury. Retrieved 2016-10-30</ref> Each route arrives and departs from the " Transfer Site", which is located on Depot Street. Any member of the general public may ride the Salisbury Transit bus. Salisbury Transit does not operate on Sundays and some holidays.

===Health care===
[[Novant Health Rowan Medical Center]] and affiliated doctors' offices provide a majority of the city residents' healthcare. The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center is a veterans' hospital in Salisbury and is operated by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]].

==Notable people==
{{See also|Category:People from Salisbury, North Carolina}}
*[[Bill Baker (baseball)|Bill Baker]] (1911–2006), MLB player<ref>{{cite news|last=London|first=Mike|title=Mike London column: Local legend played in World Series|url=http://archive.salisburypost.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=2006/April/17/Sports/47074.xml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105013211/http://archive.salisburypost.com/archive_detail.php?archiveFile=2006/April/17/Sports/47074.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 5, 2013|access-date=September 12, 2012|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=April 17, 2006}}</ref>
*[[Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim]] (born 1943), human rights activist
*[[Sidney Blackmer]] (1895{{endash}}1973), actor, born and raised in Salisbury<ref>{{cite news|last=Scarvey|first=Katie|title=Blackmer a star of stage and screen|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/Lifestyle/011710-Blackmer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121091032/http://www.salisburypost.com/Lifestyle/011710-Blackmer|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 21, 2010|access-date=19 December 2011|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=17 January 2010}}</ref>
*[[George Bradshaw (baseball)|George Bradshaw]] (1924–1994), [[Major League Baseball]] catcher for 1952 [[History of the Washington Senators|Washington Senators]]
*[[Rufus Early Clement]] (1900–1967), African American educator
*[[Elizabeth Hanford Dole]] (born 1936), [[U.S. senator]] 2003–2009, US Secretary of Labor, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, president of [[American Red Cross]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1996/conventions/san.diego/players/hanfords/index.shtml|publisher=CNN|title=Elizabeth Dole|access-date=2010-05-01}}</ref>
*[[Mary Peacock Douglas]] (1903–1970), librarian and author
*[[Governor of North Carolina]] [[John W. Ellis]] (1820{{endash}}1861), born in what was then eastern Rowan County and practiced law in Salisbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-12|title=Marker : John W. Ellis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161910/http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-12 |access-date=2024-02-14|archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Mike Evans (actor)|Mike Evans]] (1949–2006), actor and co-creator of TV series ''[[Good Times]]''
*[[Lacy Gibson]] (1936–2011), Chicago blues guitarist, singer and songwriter
*[[James Goodnight]] (born 1943), CEO of [[SAS Institute]]
*[[Javon Hargrave]] (born 1993), lineman for NFL's [[San Francisco 49ers]]
*[[Josephine D. Heard]] (1861–1924), African American teacher, poet
*[[Archibald Henderson (professor)|Archibald Henderson]] (1877–1963), professor of mathematics who wrote on many subjects
*[[Tripp Isenhour]] (born 1968), professional golfer
*[[President of the United States|President]] [[Andrew Jackson]] (1767–1845), practiced law in Salisbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-47|title=Marker : Andrew Jackson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161905/http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-47 |access-date=2024-02-14|archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Bobby Jackson (basketball)|Bobby Jackson]] (born 1973), [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] player
*[[Bob Jones (Grand Dragon)|Bob Jones]] (1930–1989), state leader of the [[Ku Klux Klan]] in the 1960s
*[[Roland Jones]] (1813–1869), represented Louisiana in [[United States House of Representatives]] from 1853 to 1855
*[[Buck Jordan|Baxter Byerly "Buck" Jordan]] (1907{{endash}}1973), baseball first baseman
*[[E. J. Junior]] (born 1959), [[National Football League]] linebacker 1981–1993
*[[Ralph Ketner]] (1920–2016), businessman and philanthropist; co-founder of [[Food Lion]]<ref>Wineka, Mark. (May 30, 2016). [https://www.salisburypost.com/2016/05/30/food-lion-cofounder-ralph-ketner-dies-95/ Food Lion co-founder Ralph Ketner dies at 95]. ''Salisbury Post''. Retrieved May 15, 2021.</ref>
*[[Clyde Kluttz]] (1917–1979), MLB player, executive and scout
*[[Susan W. Kluttz]], Secretary of [[North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources]], formerly Salisbury's longest-serving mayor<ref>{{cite news|last=Ford|first=Emily|title=Susan Kluttz reflects on her tenure|url=http://www.salisburypost.com/News/031812-Susan-Kluttz-main-qcd|access-date=April 10, 2014|newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=March 17, 2012|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145238/http://www.salisburypost.com/News/031812-Susan-Kluttz-main-qcd|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Elizabeth Duncan Koontz]] (1919–1989), African-American educator and politician
*[[Francis Locke Sr.]] (1722–1796), planter, Colonel in the Rowan County Regiment, victor at [[Battle of Ramseur's Mill]]
*[[Carrier Strike Group 1|James T. Loeblein]], U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (2015–2016)
*[[Ben Martin (photographer)|Ben Martin]] (1930–2017), photographer and photojournalist for [[TIME]] magazine
*[[Daniel Newnan]] (1780–1851), politician and physician
*[[Britt Nicole]] (born 1985), [[Contemporary Christian music]] artist
*[[Lee Slater Overman]] (1854{{endash}}1930), U.S. senator from North Carolina<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-27|title=Marker : Lee Slater Overman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714161916/http://www.ncmarkers.com/Markers.aspx?sp=Markers&sv=L-27 |access-date=2024-02-14|archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref>
*[[Karen L. Parker]] (born 1944) journalist and first Black female to graduate from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]
*[[Bobby Parnell]] (born 1984), MLB pitcher for [[New York Mets]]
*[[Lucius E. Polk]] (1833–1892), Brigadier general in [[Confederate States Army]]
*[[Christian Reid]] (real name Frances Fisher Tiernan, 1846–1920), author of novels including ''[[Land of the Sky|The Land of the Sky]]''
*[[Jay Ritchie]] (1936–2016), MLB pitcher
*[[Julian Robertson]] (born 1932), financier and philanthropist
*[[Florence Wells Slater]] (1864–1941), entomologist and educator
*[[Edgar Maddison Welch]] (born 1988), Pizzagate conspiracy theorist who fired an assault rifle inside Washington D.C.'s Comet Ping Pong pizza restaurant in 2016
*[[Zion Williamson]] (born 2000), NBA, All-American at Duke University
*[[Stunna 4 Vegas]] (born 1996) rapper, signed to Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment

==Sister city==
Salisbury has one [[sister city]], as designated by [[Sister Cities International]]:<ref>Coates, Jessica. (Jun 10, 2018). [https://www.salisburypost.com/2018/06/10/a-deeper-look-at-salisburys-sister-city-relationship/ A deeper look at Salisbury's sister city relationship]. ''Salisbury Post''. Retrieved Jul 21, 2020.</ref>
*{{flagdeco|UK}} [[Salisbury, Wiltshire]], England

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Rowan County, North Carolina]]
* [[Salisbury Township, Rowan County, North Carolina|Salisbury Township]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Salisbury (North Carolina)}}
* {{official website|1=http://www.salisburync.gov}}

{{Rowan County, North Carolina}}
{{Charlotte/Metrolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Salisbury, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:Cities in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Cities in Rowan County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:County seats in North Carolina]]