Roxboro, North Carolina

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Coordinates: 36°23′30″N 78°58′55″W / 36.39167, -78.98194
Roxboro, North Carolina
Motto: Roxboro Life Just Right!
Location of Roxboro, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Person
Government
- Mayor	Tom Brown (D)
Area
- Total	6.3 sq mi (16.3 km²)
- Land	6.3 sq mi (16.2 km²)
Elevation	715 ft (218 m)
Population (2006)
- Total	8,732
- Density	1,387.2/sq mi (535.6/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	27573-27574
Area code(s)	336
FIPS code	37-58160^[1]
GNIS feature ID	1024281^[2]
Website: City of Roxboro

Roxboro is a city and the county seat of Person County, North Carolina. The city of Roxboro has a population of approximately 8,732 (2006 census estimate).

[edit] History

Roxboro is named after a city in Scotland, Roxburgh, and although spelled differently, they are pronounced the same. Prior to the official adoption of the name Roxboro, the community was known as "Mocassin Gap". The city of Roxboro was incorporated on January 9, 1855 and remains the only municipality in Person County.

[edit] Geography

Roxboro is located at 36°23′30″N, 78°58′55″W (36.391690, -78.981877)^[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²), of which, 6.3 square miles (16.2 km²) of it is land and 0.16% is water.

[edit] Climate

Roxboro has a moderate subtropical climate, with moderate weather in the spring, fall, and winter. However, summers can be hot and humid. Winter temperatures generally range from highs in the low 50s°F (10-13 °C) to lows in the upper 20s-mid 30s°F (-2 to 2 °C), though 60 °F degree weather is not uncommon. Spring and fall days are usually in the low to mid 70s°F (low 20s°C), with nights in the 50s°F (10-14 °C). Summer days are often in the upper 80s and low 90s °F (30-35 °C,) with very high humidity. The rainiest months are July and August.

Roxboro receives an average of 8.8" of snow per winter. Freezing rain and sleet occur most winters, and occasionally the area experiences a major, damaging ice storm. Roxboro is often dubbed the unofficial "Snow Capital of the Triangle" due to TV news crews from Raleigh descending upon the city any time the weather forecast calls for frozen precipitation in north central North Carolina.

[edit] Law & Government

[edit] City Council

Tom Brown, Mayor of Roxboro
Merilyn Newell, Mayor Pro-Tem
Sam Spencer, City Council
Henry Daniel, City Council
Sandy Stigall, City Council
Mark Phillips, City Council

[edit] Crime

In 2005, 0 murders or non-negligent manslaughters were reported within city limits, per the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reports.

[edit] Economy

Person County is home to two industrial parks: Person County Business and Industrial Center Park (PCBIC) located on Durham Road (US 501) and North Park located north of Roxboro on North Park Drive.

Roxboro industries include electrical, textile, manufacturing, aerodynamics, administrative, brokering, food processing, automotive, tobacco agriculture, aluminum and paper products. Roxboro is also adjacent to North Carolina's Research Triangle region, home to numerous high-tech companies and enterprises.

The following companies are based in or operated in Roxboro:

Force Protection Inc
GKN Driveline
Eaton Corporation
Alsco Metals Corporation
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative
Mark Line Industries
North American Aerodynamics, Inc.
The Loxcreen Company, Inc.
Strutmasters
Spuntech

BPB plc announced it plans to build a $100 million gypsum wallboard plant creating 200 jobs in Roxboro. Expected to be in operation in late 2008.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2006 approximately there were 8,732 people, 3,666 households, and 2,243 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,387.2 people per square mile (535.5/km²). There were 3,954 housing units at an average density of 630.8/sq mi (243.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 50.08% White, 45.40% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.59% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.78% of the population. (This reporting does not take into account the massive annual influx of Hispanic migrant labor.)

There were 3,666 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 81.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,518 and the median income for a family was $37,159. Males had a median income of $27,741 versus $23,245 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,824. About 13.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Education

[edit] Higher education

Piedmont Community College with branches in Person County and neighboring Caswell County, offers associate degrees, technical training programs, and college credit which is transferable to local state supported colleges/universities.

[edit] Public education

Public education is provided by the Person County School System and administers a single unified school district with a K-12 program.

Schools:

Other:

Early Intervention & Family Services

[edit] Charter schools

The State of North Carolina also provides for a certain number of charter schools. These schools are administered separately from the Person County School System. Roxboro has 2 charter schools:

Bethel Hill Charter School, a public school exempt from the state's public school system that offers young kids an alternative for grades K-6.
Roxboro Community School, an alternative to the state public school system located in uptown Roxboro. The school is housed in a renovated cotton mill and opened for the 2006-2007 school year. After all grade levels are phased in the school will be open for grades 6-12.

[edit] Private education

Roxboro Christian Academy, founded in 1976 and offers a K-12 program.
Zion Christian Academy, founded in 2002 and offers a 1-12 program.

[edit] Culture

[edit] Museums

Person County Museum - The museum complex includes the Kitchin House, the Male Academy/Parsonage, Woodsdale General Store, Dr. John H. Merritt's office, a tobacco barn, and the Van Hook Subscription School, which is believed to be the oldest in the state. Exhibit featuring athletic exploits of Roxboro's own Enos Slaughter to Person County's connection with the Titanic in uptown Roxboro.

[edit] Entertainment

Palace Pointe- A multi-entertainment complex featuring 8-movie screens with stadium seating, 20-bowling lanes with cosmic bowling, a roller skating rink, arcade room, diner, billiards room, private rooms for parties and meeting functions.
Roxboro Motorsports Dragway- An IHRA sanctioned, 1/8 mile concrete dragstrip opened in 1960. Car, truck and bike festivals are the norm during the spring, summer and fall. Hip-hop and movie star Ludacris and Hip-hop star Chingy hosted an event in 2007. Apple Chill takes place in spring each year.

[edit] Performing Arts

The Kirby Civic Auditorium - Great entertainment in this beautifully restored historic movie house in uptown Roxboro features live theatre, dance, and top-name concerts. Past and future headliners include Doc Watson, the Embers and Mike Cross with year-round local productions. Total seating capacity - 1028.

Roxboro Little Theater - Producing quality stage entertainment for over 30 years. Through the immense talents of both local and regional thespians, RLT boasts such productions as "The Wizard of OZ", "Steel Magnolias", "The Sound of Music", "Oliver", and many more.

Merritt Commons Pavilion - Host local music acts and stage plays in uptown Roxboro.

[edit] Leisure

Person County Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of leisure services throughout the county providing a variety of recreational opportunities including playgrounds, walking tracks, picnic shelters, basketball courts, golf course, putt-putt, bicycling, fishing, swimming, tennis courts, ball fields, volleyball courts, hiking trails, horseshoe pits and restroom facilities at more than 14 sites: more than 6,735 acres (27 km²) of park land.

Hyco Lake
Mayo Lake
Huck Sansbury Recreation Complex
Allensville Park
Bushy Fork Park
Hurdle Mills Park
Longhurst Park
Mayo Park
Mt. Tirzah Park
Olive Hill Park
Rock Sportsplex - Features a 18-hole putt–putt course and lighted driving range
Roxboro Country Club- 18-hole golf course
Piedmont Community College Nature Trail - A system of seven trails with an observatory. Total distance is 12,741 feet (2.4 miles).

[edit] Shopping

Roxboro Commons: Roxboro Commons is a major shopping outlet in Roxboro stores include: Wal-Mart Supercenter, Blockbuster, Radio Shack, Dollar Tree, Shoe Show, Friedman's, Cato, Aaron's and Vesuvios Italian Restaurant & Bar.

Other shopping centers include: Roxboro Square, Person Plaza, Madison Corners, Market Place, Westfield Plaza and many more.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Air

Person County Airport is just 6 miles (10 km) South of Roxboro on U.S. Route 501.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is just 42 miles (68 km) South of Roxboro.

Piedmont Triad International Airport is just 82 miles (132 km) SW of Roxboro.

[edit] Roads & Highways

- United States Highways:
  - U.S. Route 501 portions known as North Main St/Madison Boulevard/Durham Rd (major North/South corridor through city)
  - U.S. Route 158 known as Oxford Rd in East Roxboro and known as Leasburg Rd in West Roxboro
- North Carolina Highways:
  - N.C. 49 known as Burlington Rd in SW Roxboro and Virgilina Rd in NE Roxboro
  - N.C. 57 known as Semora Rd in NW Roxboro
  - N.C. 157 known as Hurdle Mills Rd in SW Roxboro however, while in Durham, NC known as Guess Rd