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