75-639: The United States National Climatic Data Center ( NCDC ), previously known as the National Weather Records Center (NWRC) , in Asheville , North Carolina , was the world's largest active archive of weather data. In 2015, the NCDC merged with two other federal environmental records agencies to become the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). In 1934, the U.S. government established
150-514: A Freemason . It was the meeting place for local Masons through much of the 20th century. On July 15–16, 1916, the Asheville area was subject to severe flooding from the remnants of a tropical storm which caused more than $ 3 million in damage. Areas flooded included part of the Biltmore Estate, and the company that ran it sold some of the property to lower their maintenance costs. This area
225-499: A 20-year, half-billion dollar construction project through the Blue Ridge Mountains . Since 1970, the county has had a steady rise in population, attracting retirees, second-home buyers and others from outside the region. As of the 2020 census , there were 269,452 people, 106,741 households, and 63,675 families residing in the county. From 2010 to 2020, Buncombe County added 31,104 people or 13.0% population growth, making it
300-531: A January daily average of 37.1 °F (2.8 °C) and highs remaining at or below freezing on 5.5 afternoons. Official record temperatures range from −16 °F (−26.7 °C) on January 21, 1985 to 100 °F (37.8 °C) on August 21, 1983; the record cold daily maximum is 4 °F or −15.6 °C on February 4, 1895, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 77 °F or 25 °C on July 17, 1887. Readings as low as 0 °F (−17.8 °C) or as high as 95 °F (35 °C) rarely occur,
375-636: A bill to redraw the boundaries of Buncombe and Henderson counties to include the proposed airport property entirely in Buncombe, allowing Asheville to annex the complete site. The last passenger train to serve Asheville, a coach-only remnant of the Southern Railway's Carolina Special , made its last run on December 5, 1968. From the 1950s to the 1970s, urban renewal displaced much of Asheville's African-American population. Asheville's neighborhoods of Montford and Kenilworth, now mostly white, used to have
450-423: A combined population of 469,015 at the 2020 census . Asheville's East End/Valley Street stands as the oldest and most culturally significant black community in the city. As of the 2020 census , there were 94,589 people, 40,340 households, and 18,902 families residing in the city. At the 2000 census , there were 68,889 people, 30,690 households and 16,726 families residing in the city. The population density
525-480: A female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. Of all households 28.90% were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.86. In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
600-483: A free and open situation in which data and dialogue are exchanged. NCDC maintained the U.S. Climate Reference Network datasets and a vast number of other climate monitoring products. Asheville Asheville ( / ˈ æ ʃ v ɪ l / ASH -vil ) is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina , United States. Located at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, it
675-554: A majority of black home owners. Since the late 20th century, there has been an effort to maintain and preserve the South Asheville Cemetery, in the Kenilworth neighborhood. It is the largest public black cemetery in the state, holding about 2000 burials, dating from the early 1800s and slavery years, to 1943. Fewer than 100 of the graves are marked by tombstones. In 2003, Centennial Olympic Park bomber Eric Robert Rudolph
750-631: A number of Baptist churches, Roman Catholic , Methodist , Lutheran , Presbyterian , and Churches of Christ , as well as a few non-Christian places of worship, such as Urban Dharma, a Tibetan Buddhist center of the Drikung Kagyu school. Asheville is the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina , which is seated at the Cathedral of All Souls . Asheville is an important city for North Carolinian Catholics, who make pilgrimages to
825-481: A speech "for Buncombe." It was later remarked that Walker's untimely and irrelevant oration was not just for Buncombe—it " was Buncombe." Buncombe, afterwards spelled bunkum and later shortened to bunk, became a term for empty, nonsensical talk. That, in turn, is the etymology of the verb debunk . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Buncombe county has a total area of 659.95 square miles (1,709.3 km ), of which 656.50 square miles (1,700.3 km )
SECTION 10
#1732844034960900-746: A tabulation unit in New Orleans , Louisiana, to process weather records. Climate records and upper air observations were punched onto cards in 1936. This organization was transferred to Asheville, North Carolina , in 1951, where the National Weather Records Center (NWRC). It was housed in the Grove Arcade Building in Asheville, North Carolina. Processing of the climate data was accomplished at Weather Records Processing Centers at Chattanooga, Tennessee ; Kansas City, Missouri ; and San Francisco, California, until January 1, 1963, when it
975-417: A wide variety of sources, including weather satellites , radar , automated airport weather stations , National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observers , aircraft, ships, radiosondes , wind profilers , rocketsondes , solar radiation networks, and NWS Forecast/Warnings/Analyses Products. The Center provided historical perspectives on climate which were vital to studies on global climate change ,
1050-758: Is Avril Pinder. Othe notable commissioners include J. E. Rankin who served as chair for 26 years. Buncombe County Public Libraries has 11 branch locations, with a central location at Pack Memorial Library in downtown Asheville . There are two public school systems within Buncombe County, including Buncombe County Schools and Asheville City Schools as well as many private schools and charter schools. There are four colleges in Buncombe County, including Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College , University of North Carolina at Asheville , Montreat College , and Warren Wilson College . The Buncombe County Sheriff provides court protection and jail administration for
1125-534: Is an important example of architecture and design of the Arts and Crafts movement . Asheville's recovery from the Depression was slow and arduous. Because of the financial stagnation, there was little new construction and much of the downtown district remained unaltered. The Montford Area Historic District and other central areas are considered historic districts and include Victorian houses. Biltmore Village , located at
1200-590: Is land and 3.45 square miles (8.9 km ) (0.52%) is water. The French Broad River enters the county at its border with Henderson County to the south and flows north into Madison County . The source of the Swannanoa River , which joins the French Broad River in Asheville, is in northeast Buncombe County near Mount Mitchell , a part of the Black Mountains range. Mt. Mitchell is the highest point in
1275-639: Is located in east Asheville. As of 2023, in the North Carolina Senate , Julie Mayfield (D– 49th ) and Warren Daniel (R– 46th ) both represent parts of Buncombe County. Mayfield represents most of the county including Asheville and the west side. Daniel represents a portion of the east side of the county as well as McDowell and Burke counties. In the North Carolina House of Representatives , Eric Ager (D– 114th ), Lindsey Prather (D– 115th ), and Caleb Rudow (D– 116th ) each represent part of
1350-412: Is sporadic, averaging 10.3 inches or 0.26 metres per winter season, but actual seasonal accumulation varies considerably from one winter to the next; accumulation has ranged from trace amounts in 2011–12 to 48.2 inches or 1.2 metres in 1968–69. Freezing rain often occurs, accompanied by significant disruption. Hail is not uncommon during the spring and summer, accompanied by intense severe thunderstorms but
1425-654: Is still under study. Regardless of the causes, it is essential that a baseline of long-term climate data be compiled; therefore, global data must be acquired, quality controlled, and archived. Working with international institutions such as the International Council of Scientific Unions , the World Data Centers , and the World Meteorological Organization , NCDC develops standards by which data can be exchanged and made accessible. NCDC provides
1500-555: Is the most populous city in Western North Carolina , and the state's 11th-most-populous city . According to the 2020 census , the city's population was 94,589, up from 83,393 in the 2010 census . It is the principal city in the three-county Asheville metropolitan area , which had an estimated population of 417,202 in 2023. Before the arrival of the European Colonists , the land where Asheville now exists lay within
1575-589: Is west of Hickory , northwest of Charlotte , and southwest of Winston-Salem . Asheville features a climate that borders between a humid subtropical climate ( Köppen : Cfa ) and an oceanic climate ( Trewartha : Do ) with noticeably cooler temperatures than the rest of the Piedmont region of the Southeast due to the higher elevation; it is part of USDA Hardiness zone 7a. The area's summers in particular, though warm, are not as hot as summers in cities farther east in
SECTION 20
#17328440349601650-561: The Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area , which includes Buncombe , Haywood , Henderson , Madison , and Transylvania counties, which had a combined population of 513,720 in 2023, as estimated by the United States Census Bureau . Asheville first appeared in the 1800 U S. Census with "Ashville" as the spelling. Only 38 inhabitants were recorded. Asheville did not appear again until
1725-512: The Basilica of St. Lawrence . There are several historical churches located throughout the city, including the First Baptist Church of Asheville . Buncombe County, North Carolina Buncombe County ( / ˈ b ʌ ŋ k ə m / BUNK -um ) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina . It is classified within Western North Carolina . The 2020 census reported
1800-511: The Swannanoa Valley , redeeming a soldier's land grant from the state of North Carolina made in lieu of pay. Soon after building a log cabin at the bank of Christian Creek, Davidson was lured into the woods and killed by a band of Cherokee hunters resisting white encroachment. Davidson's wife, child, and female slave fled on foot overnight to Davidson's Fort (named after Davidson's father General John Davidson) 16 miles away. In response to
1875-486: The greenhouse effect , and other environmental issues . The Center stored information essential to industry, agriculture, science, hydrology , transportation, recreation , and engineering. These services are still provided by the NCEI. The NCDC said: Evidence is mounting that global climate is changing. While it is generally accepted that humans are negatively influencing the climate, the extent to which humans are responsible
1950-496: The poverty line , including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over. Buncombe County is a member of the Land-of-Sky Regional Council of governments. Buncombe County has a council/manager form of government. Current commissioners were elected in 2020: Chair Brownie Newman, Al Whitesides, Terri Wells, Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, Amanda Edwards, Parker Sloan and Robert Pressley . The county manager
2025-591: The "Steam Saw Mill Place", and is now the southern part of the city of Asheville. Buncombe County was organized by European Americans after the American Revolutionary War in the home of Colonel William Davidson, a cousin of William Lee Davidson who was elected as the county's first state senator . The first meeting of the county government took place in April 1792 in Colonel Davidson's barn (located on
2100-540: The 1800s, James McDowell established land for burial of slaves belonging to his and the Smith families in Asheville. His son William Wallace McDowell continued this practice, setting aside about two acres of land for this purpose. On the eve of the Civil War, James W. Patton, son of an Irish immigrant, was the largest enslaver in the county, and had built a luxurious mansion, known as The Henrietta, in Asheville. Buncombe County had
2175-581: The 1850 U.S. Census with "Ashville" once again as the spelling. The population recorded was 502. Asheville did not report separately in 1860. Asheville is the larger principal city of the Asheville-Waynesville-Brevard, NC Combined Statistical Area that includes the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area (Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and Madison counties) and the Brevard, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area (Transylvania County), which had
2250-594: The 1980s, economic growth in Asheville was slow. During this time of financial stagnation, most of the buildings in the downtown district remained unaltered. As a result, Asheville has one of the most impressive, comprehensive collections of Art Deco architecture in the United States. In 1959, the City Council purchased property partially located in neighboring Henderson County for the development of Asheville Regional Airport . The North Carolina General Assembly passed
2325-744: The Broad River township of McDowell County was transferred to Buncombe County. In 1820, a U.S. Congressman whose district included Buncombe County, unintentionally contributed a word to the English language. In the Sixteenth Congress , after lengthy debate on the Missouri Compromise , members of the House called for an immediate vote on that important question. Felix Walker rose to address his colleagues, insisting that his constituents expected him to make
National Climatic Data Center - Misplaced Pages Continue
2400-538: The Buncombe Turnpike. The Union force had been ordered to take Asheville only if they could accomplish it without significant losses. An engagement was fought later that month at Swannanoa Gap, as part of the larger Stoneman's Raid throughout western North Carolina, Virginia , and Tennessee. Union forces retreated in the face of resistance from Brig. Gen. James Green Martin , commander of Confederate troops in western North Carolina. Later, Union forces returned to
2475-527: The Cherokee Native Americans as a separate nation. Buncombe County was officially formed in 1792. In the 1800 US Census, some 107 settlers in the county were enslavers, owning a total of 300 slaves. Total county population was 5,812. The county seat, named "Morristown" in 1793, was established on a plateau where two Indian trails crossed. In 1797, Morristown was incorporated and renamed "Asheville" after North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe . In
2550-529: The age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.81. Age distribution was 19.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
2625-467: The area largely isolated from the outside. Asheville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 45.86 square miles (118.8 km ), of which 45.47 square miles (117.8 km ) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.0 km ) (0.85%) is water. Asheville
2700-470: The area via Howard's Gap and Henderson County . In late April 1865, North Carolina Union troops from the 3rd North Carolina Mounted Infantry , under the overall command of Union Gen. George Stoneman , captured Asheville. After a negotiated departure, the 2,700 troops left town, accompanied by "hundreds of freed slaves". Later, the federal troops returned and plundered Asheville, burning a number of Confederate supporters' homes in Asheville. George Avery
2775-465: The area. As population increased in this part of the state, parts of the county were taken to organize new counties. In 1808 the western part of Buncombe County became Haywood County . In 1833 parts of Burke and Buncombe counties were combined to form Yancey County . In 1838 the southern part of what was left of Buncombe County became Henderson County . In 1851 parts of Buncombe and Yancey counties were combined to form Madison County . Finally, in 1925
2850-502: The boundaries of the Cherokee Nation, which had homelands in modern western North and South Carolina , southeastern Tennessee , and northeastern Georgia . A town at the site of the river confluence was recorded as Guaxule by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto during his 1540 expedition through this area. His expedition comprised the first European visitors, who carried endemic Eurasian infectious diseases that killed much of
2925-482: The city's "historic role in slavery, discrimination and denial of basic liberties". The resolution was unanimously passed, and Asheville committed to "make investments in areas where Black residents face disparities". Also in 2020, efforts were made to remove or change several monuments in the city that celebrated the Confederate States of America or slave owners . In June 2021, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer
3000-587: The county is located in North Carolina's 11th congressional district , which is currently held by Republican Chuck Edwards . The North Carolina Department of Commerce reported that in September 2024 Buncombe County had the lowest unemployment rate of all of North Carolina's counties at a rate of 2.5 percent. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene's impacts on the region, in October the department reported that Buncombe had
3075-588: The county. Buncombe had long been a bellwether county in presidential elections. It voted for the winning candidate in all but one election from 1928 until 2012, with the exception being 1960. Since 2008, the county has trended strongly toward the Democratic Party . It swung from a 0.6 point win for George W. Bush to a 14-point win for Barack Obama in 2008, and has gone Democratic by double-digit margins at every election since then. This includes 2016, when it voted for Hillary Clinton . When Donald Trump won
National Climatic Data Center - Misplaced Pages Continue
3150-506: The damage was difficult to gauge in the immediate aftermath due to loss of critical infrastructure, including electrical, cellular telephone, and other communications services. Early reports indicated hundreds of downed trees, damaged homes, and blocked local roads. The municipal water system was catastrophically damaged, leaving most of Asheville without running water. Buildings and bridges were washed away and landslides cut off access to several major interstates including I-40 and I-26, leaving
3225-544: The downtown area, such as the Battery Park Hotel, the original of which was 475 feet long with numerous dormers and chimneys; the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building, the first skyscraper on Pack Square; Grove Arcade , one of America's first indoor shopping malls; and the Basilica of St. Lawrence . The S&W Cafeteria Building is also a fine example of Art Deco architecture in Asheville. The Grove Park Inn
3300-473: The early 18th century. Some the earliest permanent European settlers in Buncombe arrived in 1784. These European settlers frequently broke their treaties with the Cherokee, gradually forcing them off of their land in Buncombe County by force. In December 1792 and April 1793, John Dillard was a commissioner in a local political dispute of determining where the county seat of Buncombe County should be located. It
3375-415: The eastern United States at 6,684 ft. Its summit lies in adjacent Yancey County; the highest point in Buncombe County is Potato Knob, at 6400+ feet, which lies a short distance south of Mount Mitchell. A milestone was achieved in 2003 when Interstate 26 , still called Future I-26 in northern Buncombe County, was extended from Mars Hill (north of Asheville) to Johnson City, Tennessee . This completed
3450-559: The electoral college (and the election) after losing the popular vote, the county lost its bellwether status. In 2024, Kamala Harris achieved the strongest performance by a Democrat in the county since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide. Despite losing North Carolina overall, she pushed the county two points further to the left. North Carolina is represented in the United States Senate by Republicans Ted Budd and Thom Tillis , from Advance and Huntersville , respectively. All of
3525-776: The entire county and provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office is organized into six divisions: Enforcement, Detention, Animal Control, Support Operations, School Resources, Civil Process. The current Sheriff is Quentin Miller who was elected in 2018. Asheville has a municipal police department, with David Zack named as the Chief of Police in 2020. The municipalities of Black Mountain, Biltmore Forest, Montreat, Weaverville, and Woodfin also have municipal police departments, and UNC Asheville and Montreat College have campus police departments. The NC State Highway Patrol Troop G regional headquarters
3600-417: The entrance to the famous estate, showcases unique architectural features. It was here that workers stayed during the construction of George Vanderbilt's estate. The YMI Cultural Center , founded in 1892 by George Vanderbilt in the heart of downtown, is one of the nation's oldest African-American cultural centers. Asheville is the largest city in the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area , as well as
3675-466: The fastest growing county in Western North Carolina during the decade. At the 2000 census , there were 206,330 people, 85,776 households, and 55,668 families residing in the county. The population density was 314 people per square mile (121 people/km ). There were 93,973 housing units at an average density of 143 units per square mile (55 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county
3750-420: The first electric street railway lines in the state of North Carolina, the first of which opened in 1889. These were replaced by buses in 1934. In 1900, Asheville was the third-largest city in the state, behind Wilmington and Charlotte . Asheville prospered in the decades of the 1910s and 1920s. During these years, Rutherford P. Hayes , son of President Rutherford B. Hayes , bought land, and worked with
3825-529: The historical perspective on climate. Through the use of over a hundred years of weather observations, reference data bases are generated. From this knowledge the clientele of NCDC can learn from the past to prepare for a better tomorrow. Wise use of our most valuable natural resource, climate, is the goal of climate researchers, state and regional climate centers, business, and commerce. NCDC also maintained World Data Center for Meteorology, Asheville. The four World Centers (U.S., Russia, Japan and China) have created
SECTION 50
#17328440349603900-404: The killing, Davidson's twin brother Major William Davidson and brother-in-law Colonel Daniel Smith formed an expedition to retrieve Samuel Davidson's body and avenge his murder. Months after the expedition, Major Davidson and other members of his extended family returned to the area and settled at the mouth of Bee Tree Creek. The U.S. Census of 1790 counted 1,000 residents of the area, excluding
3975-594: The largest number of prominent enslavers in Western North Carolina , many in the professional class based in Asheville, numbering a total of 293 countywide in 1863. Asheville, with a population of about 2,500 by 1861, remained relatively untouched by battles of the Civil War . The city contributed companies to the Confederate States Army and to the Union Army . For a time, an Enfield rifle manufacturing facility
4050-762: The last burial was conducted, it held remains of an estimated 2,000 people. On October 3, 1880, the Western North Carolina Railroad completed its line from Salisbury to Asheville, the first rail line to reach the city. Almost immediately it was sold and resold to the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company , becoming part of the Southern Railway in 1894. With the completion of the first railway, Asheville developed with steady growth as industrial plants increased in number and size, and new residents built homes. Textile mills were built to process cotton from
4125-575: The last occurrences being January 7, 2014 and July 1, 2012 , respectively. The average window for freezing temperatures is October 17 to April 18, allowing a growing season of 181 days. Asheville is located in the Appalachian temperate rainforest and precipitation is relatively well spread, though the summer months are slightly wetter, and averages 49.6 in (1,260 mm) annually, but has historically ranged from 22.79 in (579 mm) in 1925 to 79.48 in (2,019 mm) in 2018. Snowfall
4200-594: The native population. The Cherokee had traditionally used the area by the confluence for open hunting and meeting grounds. They called it Untokiasdiyi or Tokiyasdi (ᏙᎩᏯᏍᏗ in Cherokee), meaning "Where they race", until the middle of the 19th century. European Americans began to settle in the area of Asheville in 1784, after the United States gained independence in the American Revolutionary War. In that year, Colonel Samuel Davidson and his family settled in
4275-504: The number of days with thunderstorms varies dramatically from year to year ranging from as few as 15 days in 2008 to as many as 44 in 2018. The month that usually experiences the most thunderstorms in Asheville is in July but number of days with thunderstorms in July has ranged from as many as 18 days in 2016 to as few as two days in 2008. Notable architecture in Asheville includes its Art Deco Asheville City Hall , and other unique buildings in
4350-545: The population was 269,452, making it the 7th-most populous county in North Carolina . Its county seat is Asheville . Buncombe County is part of the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area . The area of modern day Buncombe County and its environs was originally populated by the Anigiduwagi , better known as the Cherokee people. Europeans, primarily of German, Scottish and English descent, began to live in Buncombe in
4425-464: The present-day Biltmore Estate ). At first, deeds were recorded in Morganton , the nearest county seat. That was inconvenient for residents as roads were poor. In December 1792, seven men met to select a courthouse location for the county. The first courthouse was built at the present-day Pack Square site in Asheville. The county was formed in 1791 from parts of Burke and Rutherford counties. It
4500-578: The prominent African-American businessman Edward W. Pearson Sr. to develop his land for residential housing known as the African-American Burton Street Community. Hayes also worked to establish a sanitary district in West Asheville, which became an incorporated town in 1913, and merged with Asheville in 1917. The Asheville Masonic Temple was constructed in 1913, under the direction of famed architect Richard Sharp Smith ,
4575-475: The region, and other plants were set up to manufacture wood and mica products, foodstuffs, and other commodities. The 21-mile (34 km) distance between Hendersonville and Asheville of the former Asheville and Spartanburg Railroad was completed in 1886. By that point, the line was operated as part of the Richmond and Danville Railroad until 1894 and controlled by the Southern Railway afterward. Asheville had
SECTION 60
#17328440349604650-461: The state, as the July daily average temperature is 73.8 °F (23.2 °C) and there is an average of only 9.4 afternoons with 90 °F (32.2 °C)+ highs annually; the last time a calendar year passed without a single 90 °F (32.2 °C) reading was as recently as 2009. Moreover, warm mornings where the low remains at or above 70 °F or 21.1 °C are much less common than 90 °F or 32.2 °C afternoons. Winters are cool, with
4725-495: Was 1,683.4 inhabitants per square mile (650.0/km ). There were 33,567 housing units at an average density of 820.3 per square mile (316.7/km ). The racial composition of the city was: 77.95% White , 17.61% Black or African American, 3.76% Hispanic or Latino American , 0.92% Asian American, 0.35% Native American, 0.06% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , 1.53% some other race , and 1.58% two or more races . There were 30,690 households, of which 22.2% had children under
4800-414: Was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.90 males. The median income for a household in the county was $ 36,666, and the median income for a family was $ 45,011. Males had a median income of $ 30,705 versus $ 23,870 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 20,384. About 7.80% of families and 11.40% of the population were below
4875-481: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males. The median household income was $ 32,772, and the median family income was $ 44,029. Males had a median income of $ 30,463, and $ 23,488 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,024. About 13% of families and 19% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. There are
4950-408: Was 89.06% White , 7.48% Black or African American , 0.39% Native American , 0.66% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 1.15% from other races , and 1.23% from two or more races. 2.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 85,776 households, out of which 27.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.50% were married couples living together, 10.80% had
5025-410: Was among 40 enslaved people known to have traveled with the troops to Tennessee. There he enlisted in the U.S. Colored Troops . He returned to Asheville after being discharged in 1866. After the war, he was hired by his former master William W. McDowell to manage the South Asheville Cemetery, a public place for black burials. This is the oldest and largest black public cemetery in the state. By 1943, when
5100-682: Was consolidated with the NWRC. In 1967, the agency was renamed the National Climatic Data Center. In 1995, the NCDC moved into the newly completed Veach-Baley Federal Complex in downtown Asheville. In 2015, the NCDC merged with the National Geophysical Data Center and the National Oceanographic Data Center to become the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Data were received from
5175-429: Was later developed as an independent jurisdiction known as Biltmore Forest , which is now one of the wealthiest in the country. The Great Depression hit Asheville quite hard. On November 20, 1930, eight local banks failed. Only Wachovia remained open with infusions of cash from Winston-Salem . Because of the explosive growth of the previous decades, the per capita debt owed by the city (through municipal bonds )
5250-503: Was located in the town. The war did not reach Asheville until early April 1865, when the "Battle of Asheville" was fought at the present-day site of the University of North Carolina at Asheville . Union forces withdrew to Tennessee , which they had occupied since 1862. They had encountered resistance in Asheville from a small group of Confederate senior and junior reserves, and recuperating Confederate soldiers in prepared trench lines across
5325-583: Was named for Edward Buncombe , a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who was captured at the Battle of Germantown . An earlier proposed name was "Union County". The large county originally extended to the Tennessee line. Many of the early settlers were Baptists . In 1807 the pastors of six churches, including the revivalist Sion Blythe , formed the French Broad Association of Baptist churches in
5400-409: Was one of 11 U.S. mayors to form Mayors Organized for Reparations and Equity (MORE), a coalition of municipal leaders dedicated to starting pilot reparations programs in their cities. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic, record-breaking flooding of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers, devastating Asheville and surrounding areas of Western North Carolina . The full extent of
5475-447: Was provided in an act creating Buncombe County for a committee of five persons to be appointed for the selection of the site. A dispute arose between two factions of Buncombe County residents on opposite sides of the Swannanoa River , one faction pressing for the county seat to be north of Swannanoa, which is now the center of Asheville, and the other faction demanding it to be at a place south of Swannanoa River, which later became known as
5550-403: Was the highest in the nation. By 1929, both the city and Buncombe County had incurred over $ 56 million in bonded debt to pay for a wide range of municipal and infrastructure improvements, including City Hall, the water system, Beaucatcher Tunnel, and Asheville High School . Rather than default, the city paid those debts over a period of fifty years. From the start of the depression through
5625-578: Was transported to Asheville from Murphy, North Carolina , for arraignment in federal court. In September 2004, remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan caused major flooding in Asheville, particularly at Biltmore Village . In 2006, the Asheville Zombie Walk was organized for the first time, starting a tradition that lasted until 2016. In July 2020, the Asheville City Council voted to provide reparations to Black residents for
#959040