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About The 5th District Democrats

North Carolina's 5th congressional district covers the northwestern corner of North Carolina from the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont Triad. While the bulk of its territory is in the mountains, it stretches just far enough east to grab its largest city in the district, Winston-Salem. Redistricting has changed its makeup over the years. A special Redistricting of North Carolina’s US congressional districts were ordered by federal courts in February 2016. Afterward, this map was approved by the North Carolina State Legislature on February 19th, 2016, becoming Session Law 2016-1. Most recently - on December 2nd, 2019 - after several court battles, a map was accepted and the 5th District changed again. Currently, the counties in the 5th district are • Alexander • Alleghany • Ashe • Burke • Caldwell • Catawba (tiny bit) • Cleveland • Gaston • Rutherford (partial) • Watauga • Wilkes •

 

 

The 5th district has only become "red" in the past 20 years during the Art Pope push of the 90s. Previously, Stephen Lybrook Neal, a Winston-Salem Democrat led the 5th district for 20 years.  A member of "The Class of '74," as the Congressmen of his class was called, they were reform-minded lawmakers that swept into the House of Representatives in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. Today they are still regarded with reverence by many on Capitol Hill for pushing the rules and modernizing the House. 

 

 

William W. Kitchin             Democratic        March 4, 1897 – January 11, 1909  (Resigned after being elected Governor)

John M. Morehead               Republican         March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1911

Charles M. Stedman           Democratic       March 4, 1911 – September 23, 1930       (Died in office)

Franklin W. Hancock, Jr.   Democratic       November 4, 1930 – January 3, 1939

 Alonzo D. Folger                Democratic        January 3, 1939 – April 30, 1941              (Died in office)

 John H. Folger                    Democratic        June 14, 1941 – January 3, 1949

 Richard T. Chatham          Democratic        January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1957

 Ralph J. Scott                      Democratic        January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1967

 Nick Galifianakis               Democratic        January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1969           (Redistricted to the 4th district)

 Vinegar Bend Mizell           Republican          January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1975

 Stephen L. Neal                  Democratic         January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1995

 Richard Burr                       Republican           January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2005

 Virginia Foxx                      Republican          January 3, 2005 – Present

 

A LOOK AT THE COUNTIES OF THE 5th

ALEXANDER COUNTY

Population:

2010 census - 37,189

median income per hh - $38,684

5.9% of families live below poverty line

TAYLORVILLE = COUNTY SEAT

 

Largest Employer: *2016

1 Alexander County Schools 500-999

2 Craftmaster Furniture 500-999

3 The Mitchell Gold Co 500-999

4 Nc Dept Of Public Safety 500-999

5 Alexander County  250-499

6 Hancock & Moore Inc 250-499

7 Brigette's Staffing Inc  250-499

8 Schneider Mills Inc  250-499

 

Higher Education:

Catawba Valley Community College - Alexander County Center

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

Population:

2010 census - 11,155

median income per hh - $29,244

11.3% of families live below poverty line

SPARTA = COUNTY SEAT

 

Largest Employer: *2016

1 Alleghany Co Bd Of Education 250-499

2 Bottomley Evergreens & Farms 100-249

3 Parkdale Mills 100-249

4 Living Waters Home Care 100-249

5 Alleghany Memorial Hospital 100-249

6 Alleghany County Public Admin 100-249

Higher Education:

Wilkes Community College Alleghany Center

ASHE COUNTY

Population:

2010 census - 27,281  

median income per hh - $28,824

10.1% of families live below poverty line

JEFFERSON = COUNTY SEAT

 

Largest Employer: *2016

1 Ashe County Board of Education 500-999

2 American Emergency Vehicles 250-499

3 County of Ashe 250-499
4 Ashe Memorial Hospital 250-499

5 JR Vannoy & Sons Construction  250-499

6 GE Aviation  100-249

 

Higher Education:

Wilkes Community College Ashe Campus

CATAWBA COUNTY

Population:

2010 census - 154,810

median income per hh - $43,536

6.5% of families live below poverty line

NEWTON = COUNTY SEAT

 

Largest Employer: *2016

1 Catawba County Schools  1000+

2 Catawba Memorial Hospital 1000+

3 Frye Regional Medical Center  1000+

4 County Of Catawba Public Admin 1000+

5 Wal-Mart 1000+

6 Commscope 1000+

7 Corning Optical Communications 1000+

Higher Education:

Lenoir-Ryne University

Catawba Valley Community College

Appalachian Center at Hickory

NC Center for Engineering Technology

WATAUGA COUNTY

Population:

2010 census - 51,079

median income per hh - $32,611

7.2% of families live below poverty line

BOONE = COUNTY SEAT

 

Largest Employer: *2016

1 Appalachian State University 1000+

2 Appalachian Regional Healthcare 1000+

3 Watauga County Board Of Ed 500-999

4 Samaritans Purse 500-999

5 Watauga County Public Admin 250-499

6 Wal-Mart Associates Inc 250-499

7 Coach Inc  100-249

Higher Education:

Appalachian State University

Caldwell Community College Satellite Campus

WILKES COUNTY

Population:

2010 census - 69,340  

median income per hh - $30,668

17.6% of families live below poverty line

WILKESBORO = COUNTY SEAT

 

Largest Employer: *2016

1 Tyson Farms Inc 1000+

2 Lowe's Companies Inc 1000+

3 Wilkes County Board Of Education 1000+

4 Wilkes Regional Medical Center 500-999

5 Wilkes County Public Admin 500-999

6 Wilkes Community College 500-999

7 Lowes Home Centers Inc Trade  250-499

8 Louisiana-Pacific Corp 250-499

Higher Education:

Wilkes Community College

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