Editing Surry County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Surry County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | seal                 = Surry County Seal.png
 | founded              = April 1, 1771<ref>{{cite web|title=Surry County, North Carolina|url=https://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/surry_county_nc.html|access-date=April 28, 2012}}</ref>
 | named for            = [[Surrey|Surrey, England]]
 | seat wl              = Dobson
 | largest city wl      = Mount Airy
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 536.66
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 532.65
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.01
 | area percentage      = 0.75
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 71359
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 71547 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 133.97
 | coordinates          = {{coord|36.42|-80.69|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.co.surry.nc.us
 | district             = 5th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | ex image             = Surry County Courthouse 201 E Kapp St.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Surry County Courthouse
 | flag                 = Surry County Flag.gif
}}

'''Surry County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 71,359.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> and its largest community is [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]].

Surry county comprises the Mount Airy, NC [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]–[[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem]]–[[High Point, North Carolina|High Point]], NC [[Piedmont Triad|Combined Statistical Area]].

==History==
[[File:1950 Census Enumeration District Maps - North Carolina (NC) - Surry County - Surry County - ED 86-1 to 55 - NARA - 22118060.jpg|thumb|1950 map of Surry County]]
The county was formed in 1771 from [[Rowan County, North Carolina|Rowan County]] as part of the British [[Province of North Carolina]]. It was named for the county of [[Surrey]] in England, birthplace of [[William Tryon]], [[List of Governors of North Carolina|governor of North Carolina]] from 1765 to 1771.

In 1777, parts of Surry County and Washington District (now [[Washington County, Tennessee]]) were combined to form [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes County]]. The first permanent courthouse was established at Richmond in 1779, what is now the modern-day [[Old Richmond Township, Forsyth County, North Carolina|Old Richmond Township]] in [[Forsyth County, North Carolina|Forsyth County]] near [[Donnaha, North Carolina|Donnaha]]. However, in 1789 the eastern half of Surry County became [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes County]], thus making the Richmond site unusable for either county. In 1790, the county seat was moved to [[Rockford, North Carolina|Rockford]], where it remained for over half a century. In 1850, half of the county's remaining territory south of the [[Yadkin River]] became [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]]. The town of [[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]] was established in 1853 to be the new county seat.

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q507881|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Surry County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|536.66|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|532.65|sqmi}} are land and {{convert|4.01|sqmi}} (0.75%) are water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

The whole county is generally considered part of the [[Piedmont Triad]] metropolitan area. Surry County is located in the [[Yadkin Valley AVA]], an [[American Viticultural Area]]. [[Wine]]s made from [[grape]]s grown in Surry County may carry the [[appellation]] Yadkin Valley on their label.

=== Mountains ===
Surry County is located both within the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] region of central North Carolina and in the [[Appalachian Mountains]] region of western North Carolina. Most of the eastern two-thirds of the county lies within the Piedmont, a region of gently rolling hills and valleys. However, the Piedmont of Surry County also contains a small portion of the [[Sauratown Mountains]]; Surry County marks the western end of the Sauratown Mountain range. The western third of the county lies within the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], and they dominate the county's western horizon. The mountain passes (called "gaps" locally) are notorious for their occasional high winds, which can force automobiles and even large [[Eighteen wheeler]] trucks off the highways which lead through the passes. As a result, high wind advisories issued by the [[National Weather Service]] are not uncommon. The highest point in Surry County is Fisher Peak in the Blue Ridge; it rises to {{convert|3570|ft|m|0}} above sea level. However, the best-known peak in Surry County is not the highest. That honor goes to [[Pilot Mountain (North Carolina)|Pilot Mountain]], an isolated [[monadnock]] and a North Carolina landmark. Pilot Mountain sharply rises some {{convert|2421|ft|m}} above the surrounding countryside, and can be seen for miles.

===Major water bodies===
{{See also|Category:Rivers of Surry County, North Carolina}}
* [[Ararat River]]
* [[Bear Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Bear Creek]]
* [[Big Creek (North Carolina)|Big Creek]]
* [[Camp Creek (North Carolina)|Camp Creek]]
* [[Fisher River (North Carolina)|Fisher River]]
* [[Flat Shoal Creek (Ararat River tributary)|Flat Shoal Creek]]
* [[Grassy Creek (North Carolina)|Grassy Creek]]
* [[Hogan Creek (North Carolina)|Hogan Creek]]
* [[King Creek (North Carolina)|King Creek]]
* [[Little Fisher Creek (North Carolina)|Little Fisher Creek]]
* [[Mill Creek (North Carolina)|Mill Creek]]
* [[Mitchell River (North Carolina)|Mitchell River]]
* [[Pauls Creek (Stewarts Creek tributary)|Pauls Creek]]
* [[Pheasant Creek (Fisher River tributary)|Pheasant Creek]]
* [[Pilot Creek (Ararat River tributary)|Pilot Creek]]
* [[Ramey Creek (North Carolina)|Ramey Creek]]
* [[Stewarts Creek (Ararat River tributary)|Stewarts Creek]]
* [[Toms Creek (Ararat River tributary)|Toms Creek]]
* [[Yadkin River]]
While there are many creeks and streams in Surry County, there are three recognized major rivers in the county, the Ararat, the Fisher, and the Mitchell. All three flow southward and are [[Tributary|tributaries]] of the Yadkin River, which forms the southern border of Surry County. The Yadkin River is the northern component of the [[Pee Dee River]] which flows to the [[Atlantic Ocean]] near [[Georgetown, South Carolina]].

===National protected areas===
* [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] (part)
* [[Cumberland Knob Recreation Area]] (part)

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[Horne Creek Living Historical Farm]]
* [[Mitchell River Game Land]] (part)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>
* [[Pilot Mountain State Park]]
* [[Raven Knob Scout Reservation]] (part)

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Patrick County, Virginia]] – northeast
* [[Carroll County, Virginia]] – north
* [[Grayson County, Virginia]] – northwest
* [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes County]] – east
* [[Forsyth County, North Carolina|Forsyth County]] – southeast
* [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]] – south
* [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes County]] – southwest
* [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany County]] – west

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|I|74|I-Future|74|nolink2=yes}} (route designated from the state border with Virginia to Exit 17) 
* {{Jct|state=NC|I|77}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|21}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|21|dab1=Elkin}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|52}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|52|dab1=Mount Airy}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|601}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|601|dab1=Dobson}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|18}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|89}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|103}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|104}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|268}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|268|dab1=Elkin}}
{{div col end}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Mount Airy/Surry County Airport]]
* [[Elkin Municipal Airport]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 7192
|1800= 9505
|1810= 10366
|1820= 12320
|1830= 14504
|1840= 15079
|1850= 18443
|1860= 10380
|1870= 11252
|1880= 15302
|1890= 19281
|1900= 25515
|1910= 29705
|1920= 32464
|1930= 39749
|1940= 41783
|1950= 45593
|1960= 48205
|1970= 51415
|1980= 59449
|1990= 61704
|2000= 71219
|2010= 73673
|2020= 71359
|estyear=2024
|estimate=71547
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37171.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2013}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/surrycountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Surry County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Surry County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37171&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 57,771
| 80.96%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 2,413
| 3.38%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 130
| 0.18%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 370
| 0.52%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 11
| 0.02%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 2,168
| 3.04%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 8,496
| 11.91%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 71,359 people, 28,408 households, and 19,539 families residing in the county.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 71,219 people, 28,408 households, and 20,482 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|133|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 31,033 housing units at an average density of {{convert|58|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.40% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 4.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.45% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.15% from two or more races. 6.49% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 28,408 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,046, and the median income for a family was $38,902. Males had a median income of $27,854 versus $20,556 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,722. About 9.10% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and politics==
Surry is at present a strongly Republican county. The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Surry County has been [[Jimmy Carter]] in 1976, and no Democrat since 1996 has reached forty percent of the county's vote. [[Hillary Clinton]] received only twenty-three percent in 2016, a proportion smaller than [[Hubert Humphrey]] obtained in the three-way 1968 race.

In the early 20th century, Surry swung from Democratic-leaning during the [[Third Party System]], to Republican enough to be alongside [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin]] and [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes County]] as the only North Carolina counties to vote with [[William Howard Taft]] during his disastrous 1912 campaign,<ref>Menendez, Albert J.; ''The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004'', pp. 265-271 {{ISBN|0786422173}}</ref> back to Democratic enough to support [[Adlai Stevenson II]] in 1952.

{{PresHead|place=Surry County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|28,565|8,613|330|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|27,538|8,721|379|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|23,671|7,488|1,037|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|19,923|9,112|435|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|18,730|10,475|320|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|17,587|8,304|101|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|15,401|7,757|200|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|11,117|7,303|1,601|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|10,866|9,392|3,195|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|11,393|7,245|22|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|13,340|7,188|34|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|10,065|8,987|356|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,403|10,024|63|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|10,497|4,706|284|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|9,638|5,088|4,103|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|7,970|9,810|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|10,035|8,185|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|9,001|7,020|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|7,591|8,206|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|4,643|6,956|654|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|5,116|7,679|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|4,178|8,871|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,766|8,833|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,511|7,490|69|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,015|3,647|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,990|4,418|66|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|5,170|3,547|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,977|2,029|12|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Republican|2,277|1,919|609|North Carolina}}

Surry County is a member of the [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments]]. The five-member Board of County Commissioners are elected from single-member districts for four-year staggered terms, with elections in even-numbered years. The board elects a chair and vice-chair, who serve twelve-month terms.

The board appoints a county manager, who oversees county administration and implements the board's policies.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.co.surry.nc.us/departments/(a_through_j)/county_manager/index.php| title = Administration| publisher = Surry County, North Carolina| access-date = October 28, 2023}}</ref>

== Economy ==
In its 2024 county economic tier ratings, the [[North Carolina Department of Commerce]] classified Surry as among the state's 20 least economically distressed counties, or "tier 1",<ref name= lindenburg>{{cite web| url = https://www.ednc.org/12-04-2024-north-carolina-economic-development-tier-designations-released-for-2025/| title = North Carolina economic development tier designations released for 2025| last = Lindenberg| first = Alli| date = December 4, 2024| website = EducationNC| access-date = January 5, 2024}}</ref> largely owing to a prevailing low median household income in the county.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.reflector.com/apgstate/surry-county-tumbles-back-into-tier-1-designation/article_d1262380-4ae6-5047-89ea-547918f1f9d7.html| title = Surry County tumbles back into Tier 1 designation| last = Kelly| first = Ryan| date = January 4, 2025| website = The Daily Reflector| access-date = January 5, 2025}}</ref>

==Education==
Surry County is divided into three local school systems: Surry County Schools, Mount Airy City Schools, and [[Elkin City Schools]].

===Surry County Schools===
====High schools====
* Surry Early College High School of Design (on the Surry Community College campus.)
* East Surry High School
* North Surry High School
* Surry Central High School

====Middle schools====
* Central Middle School
* Gentry Middle School
* Meadowview Magnet Middle School
* Pilot Mountain Middle School

====Elementary schools====
* Cedar Ridge Elementary School
* Copeland Elementary School
* Dobson Elementary School
* Flat Rock Elementary School
* Franklin Elementary School
* Mountain Park Elementary School
* Pilot Mountain Elementary School
* Rockford Elementary School
* Shoals Elementary School
* Westfield Elementary School
* White Plains Elementary School

===Mount Airy City Schools===
* [[Mount Airy High School]]
* Mount Airy Middle School
* Jones Intermediate School
* Tharington Primary School

===Elkin City Schools===
The Elkin City Schools system has 3 schools ranging from [[pre-kindergarten]] to [[twelfth grade]]: Elkin Elementary School, Elkin Middle School and [[Elkin High School]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Schools|url=http://web.elkin.k12.nc.us/?page_id=30|publisher=Elkin City Schools|access-date=April 28, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818133406/http://web.elkin.k12.nc.us/?page_id=30|archive-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref>

===Colleges and universities===
[[Surry Community College]], part of the [[North Carolina Community College System]], is the county's only institution for [[post-secondary education]].

==Media==
===Print===
Surry County is home to three local newspapers, ''[[The Mount Airy News]]'' of Mount Airy, ''[[The Pilot (Pilot Mountain, North Carolina)|The Pilot]]'' in Pilot Mountain and ''[[The Tribune (Elkin, North Carolina)|The Tribune]]'' of Elkin. Additionally, the larger daily ''[[Winston-Salem Journal]]'' covers news and events in the county. One local newspaper, ''[[The Messenger (Mount Airy, North Carolina)|The Messenger]]'' in Mount Airy, ceased operation in approximately 2011.

===Broadcast===
[[WIFM]] in Elkin is a full-time FM radio station. The county has three [[AM Broadcasting|AM]] stations, [[WYZD]] in Dobson, as well as  [[WSYD]] and [[WPAQ]] in Mount Airy, both of which operate also on 24-hour FM repeaters that cover most of the county. There are no broadcast [[television]] stations in Surry County.

Surry County is part of the [[Piedmont Triad]] radio and television market but many broadcasts from the [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] market also can be received in Surry County.

==Culture==
Surry County is apparently home to the fictitious community of [[Mayberry]] from "[[The Andy Griffith Show]]", which aired from 1960 through 1968. Andy Griffith reportedly used many things from his hometown in his TV town. Now guests can experience what it was like living in Mayberry by visiting the Andy Griffith Museum, stopping by Andy's homeplace, getting a trim at Floyd's barbershop, taking a ride in a replica Mayberry Squad Car, or even grabbing a bite to eat at [http://www.thesnappylunch.com/ Snappy Lunch]. Every year in September the city holds the "Mayberry Days" celebration, where fans can come and enjoy the town together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visitmayberry.com/category/attractions/mayberry/|title=Mayberry « Visit Mayberry|website=www.visitmayberry.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 17, 2018}}</ref>

A dish, sonker, is made in Surry County and surrounding areas in North Carolina, and is thought to have originated in the county in the mid-1800s.<ref name= moose/> Similar to [[Cobbler (food)|cobbler]], it is a pie made of dough with a fruit or sweet potato filling and baked.<ref name= moose/><ref name= raskin>{{cite web| url = https://www.theassemblync.com/culture/food/ncculinary-trail/| title = Culinary Trails, To You| last = Raskin| first = Hanna| date = October 27, 2023| website = The Assembly| access-date = October 27, 2023}}</ref> It is traditionally served with "dip", a vanilla cream sauce.<ref>{{cite news| last = McElveen| first = Katie| title = What Is a Sonker and How Did It Get That Unusual Name?| newspaper = Southern Living| date = August 2, 2022| url = https://www.southernliving.com/food/what-is-a-sonker| access-date = October 27, 2023}}</ref> Since 1980, Mount Airy has hosted an annual sonker festival,<ref name= moose>{{cite news| last = Moose| first = Debbie| title = The Sonkers of Surry County| newspaper = Our State| date = September 26, 2022| url = https://www.ourstate.com/the-sonkers-of-surry-county/| access-date = May 16, 2023}}</ref> and sonkers are often made to cater to tourism.<ref name= raskin/> Ground steak—principally a sandwich consisting of ground beef or chuck, flour, salt, and pepper mixed with water or milk—is exclusive to the county, maintaining enduring popularity among locals since the Great Depression, when it was developed as means of stretching supplies of beef.<ref name= raskin/><ref>{{cite news| last = Johnson | first = Jessica| title = Ground steak sandwiches: a unique local tradition| newspaper = The Mount Airy News| date = April 29, 2014| url = https://www.mtairynews.com/ground-steak-sandwiches-a-unique-local-tradition/article_d8ba6fda-5fee-57f6-9d8b-542a0273fcaa.html| access-date = October 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last = Tomlin| first = Jimmy| title = The Sandwich of Surry County| newspaper = Our State| date = March 25, 2024| url = https://www.ourstate.com/ground-steak-sandwich-surry-county/| access-date = January 25, 2025}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Surry County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Surry County with municipal and township labels]]

===City===
* [[Mount Airy, North Carolina|Mount Airy]] (largest community)

===Towns===
* [[Dobson, North Carolina|Dobson]] (county seat)
* [[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]] (also in Wilkes County)
* [[Pilot Mountain, North Carolina|Pilot Mountain]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Flat Rock, Surry County, North Carolina|Flat Rock]]
* [[Lowgap, North Carolina|Lowgap]]
* [[Toast, North Carolina|Toast]]
* [[White Plains, North Carolina|White Plains]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Bryan Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Bryan]]
* [[Dobson Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Dobson]]
* [[Eldora Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Eldora]]
* [[Elkin Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Elkin]]
* [[Franklin Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Franklin]]
* [[Long Hill Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Long Hill]]
* [[Marsh Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Marsh]]
* [[Mount Airy Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Mount Airy]]
* [[Pilot Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Pilot]]
* [[Rockford Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Rockford]]
* [[Shoals Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Shoals]]
* [[Siloam Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Siloam]]
* [[South Westfield Township, Surry County, North Carolina|South Westfield]]
* [[Stewarts Creek Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Stewarts Creek]]
* [[Westfield Township, Surry County, North Carolina|Westfield]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===

{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Albion, North Carolina|Albion]]
* [[Ararat, North Carolina|Ararat]]
* [[Ash Hill, North Carolina|Ash Hill]]
* [[Bannertown, North Carolina|Bannertown]]
* [[Blackwater, North Carolina|Blackwater]]
* [[Blevins Store, North Carolina|Blevins Store]]
* [[Boones Hill, North Carolina|Boones Hill]]
* [[Bottom, North Carolina|Bottom]]
* [[Burch, North Carolina|Burch]]
* [[Cedar Hill, North Carolina|Cedar Hill]]
* [[Combstown, North Carolina|Combstown]]
* [[Copeland, North Carolina|Copeland]]
* [[Crooked Oak, North Carolina|Crooked Oak]]
* [[Crutchfield, North Carolina|Crutchfield]]
* [[Devotion, North Carolina|Devotion]]
* [[Fairview Crossroads, North Carolina|Fairview]]
* [[Franklin, Surry County, North Carolina|Franklin]]
* [[Hills Grove, North Carolina|Hills Grove]]
* [[Holly Springs, Surry County, North Carolina|Holly Springs]]
* [[Indian Grove, North Carolina|Indian Grove]]
* [[Jenkinstown, North Carolina|Jenkinstown]]
* [[Ladonia, North Carolina|Ladonia]]
* [[Level Cross, Surry County, North Carolina|Level Cross]]
* [[Little Richmond, North Carolina|Little Richmond]]
* [[Long Hill, North Carolina|Long Hill]]
* [[Mount Herman, North Carolina|Mount Herman]]
* [[Mountain Park, North Carolina|Mountain Park]]
* [[Mulberry, Surry County, North Carolina|Mulberry]]
* [[New Hope, Surry County, North Carolina|New Hope]]
* [[Oak Grove, Surry County, North Carolina|Oak Grove]]
* [[Pine Hill, North Carolina|Pine Hill]]
* [[Pine Ridge, Surry County, North Carolina|Pine Ridge]]
* [[Poplar Springs, Surry County, North Carolina|Poplar Springs]]
* [[Red Brush, North Carolina|Red Brush]]
* [[Rockford, North Carolina|Rockford]]
* [[Round Peak, North Carolina|Round Peak]]
* [[Salem, Surry County, North Carolina|Salem]]
* [[Salem Fork, North Carolina|Salem Fork]]
* [[Sheltontown, Surry County, North Carolina|Sheltontown]]
* [[Shoals, North Carolina|Shoals]]
* [[Siloam, North Carolina|Siloam]]
* [[Slate Mountain, Surry County, North Carolina|Slate Mountain]]
* [[State Road, North Carolina|State Road]]
* [[Stony Knoll, North Carolina|Stony Knoll]]
* [[Turkey Ford, North Carolina|Turkey Ford]]
* [[Union Cross, Surry County, North Carolina|Union Cross]]
* [[Union Hill, North Carolina|Union Hill]]
* [[Westfield, North Carolina|Westfield]]
* [[White Sulphur Springs, North Carolina|White Sulphur Springs]]
* [[Woodville, Surry County, North Carolina|Woodville]]
* [[Zephyr, North Carolina|Zephyr]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Surry County, North Carolina]]
* [[Yadkin Valley AVA]], wine region partially located in the county

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2528746}}
* {{official website|http://www.co.surry.nc.us}}
* [http://www.YadkinValley.org Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.surryedp.com Surry County Economic Development Partnership]
* [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncsurry/ NCGenWeb Surry County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Surry County, North Carolina
|North     = [[Carroll County, Virginia]]
|Northeast = [[Patrick County, Virginia]]
|East      = [[Stokes County, North Carolina|Stokes County]]
|Southeast = [[Forsyth County, North Carolina|Forsyth County]]
|South     = [[Yadkin County, North Carolina|Yadkin County]]
|Southwest = [[Wilkes County, North Carolina|Wilkes County]]
|West      = [[Alleghany County, North Carolina|Alleghany County]]
|Northwest = [[Grayson County, Virginia]]
}}
{{Surry County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Surry County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1771 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1771]]