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Winston-Salem, NC

Frequently asked questions

Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem is a city in and the county seat of Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 249,545, making it the fifth-most populous city in North Carolina, and the 90th-most populous city in the United States. The population of the Winston-Salem metropolitan area was estimated to be 695,630 in 2023. It is the second-most populous city in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, home to about 1.7 million residents.

Winston-Salem is called the "Twin City" for its dual heritage, and the "Camel City" as a reference to the city's historic involvement in the tobacco industry related to locally based R. J. Reynolds' Camel cigarettes. Many natives of the city and North Carolina refer to the city as "Winston" in informal speech. Winston-Salem is also home to six colleges and institutions, most notably Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

The origin of the town of Salem dates to 1753, when Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg, on behalf of the Moravian Church, selected a settlement site in the three forks of Muddy Creek. He called this area "die Wachau" (Latin form Wachovia) after the ancestral estate of Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf. The land, just short of 99,000 acres (400 km2), was subsequently purchased from John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville.

On November 17, 1753, the first settlers arrived at what would later become the town of Bethabara. This town, despite its rapid growth, was not designed to be the primary settlement on the tract. Some residents expanded to a nearby settlement, called Bethania, in 1759. Finally, lots were drawn to select among suitable sites for the location of a new town.

The town established on the chosen site was given the name of Salem (from "Shalom", Hebrew meaning "Peace", after the Canaanite city mentioned in the Book of Genesis) chosen for it by the Moravians' late patron Count Zinzendorf. On January 6, 1766, the first tree was felled for the building of Salem. Salem was a typical Moravian settlement congregation, with the public buildings of the congregation grouped around a central square (today Salem Square). These included the church, a Brethren's House, and a Sisters' House for the unmarried members of the congregation, which owned all the property in town. For many years, only members of the Moravian Church were permitted to live in the settlement. This practice had ended by the American Civil War. Many of the original buildings in the settlement have been restored or rebuilt and are now part of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.

Salem was incorporated as a town in December 1856. Salem Square and God's Acre Cemetery, the Moravian graveyard, have been the site of the Moravian sunrise service each Easter morning since 1772. This service, sponsored by all the Moravian church parishes in the city, attracts thousands of worshipers each year, some from overseas.

In 1849, the Salem Congregation sold land north of Salem to the newly formed Forsyth County for a county seat. The new town was called "the county town" or Salem until 1851 when it was renamed Winston for a local hero of the Revolutionary War, Joseph Winston.

Robert Gray, as a featured speaker at the 1876 centennial celebration, was the first to mention the two towns as one. In the 1880s, the US Post Office began referring to the two towns together as Winston-Salem. In 1899, after nearly a decade of contention, the United States Post Office Department established the Winston-Salem post office in Winston, with the former Salem office serving as a branch. After a referendum, the towns were officially incorporated as "Winston-Salem" in 1913.

Winston-Salem is in the northwest Piedmont area of North Carolina, situated 65 miles (105 km) northwest of the geographic center of the state. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 134.74 square miles (349.0 km2), of which 133.53 square miles (345.8 km2) is land and 1.21 square miles (3.1 km2) (0.90%) is water. The city lies within the Yadkin–Pee Dee River Basin, draining mainly via Salem Creek, Peters Creek, Silas Creek, and Muddy Creek.

Less than 30 miles (50 km) north of Winston-Salem are the remains of the ancient Sauratown Mountains, named for the Saura people who once lived in much of the Piedmont area, including what is now Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem is located 16 miles northwest of High Point, 25 miles west of Greensboro, and 69 miles northeast of Charlotte.

The city places a strong emphasis on the health and wellness of its residents, as evident in its robust healthcare facilities and commitment to wellness initiatives. The Wake Forest Baptist Health System serves as a cornerstone healthcare provider, delivering comprehensive medical services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Workout Anytime, O2 Fitness, and 690 Women's Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Winston-Salem, such as the Salem Lake Trail and Hobby Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Winston-Salem, NC are Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Truist Stadium, and Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA).

Population: 255,769 (2024). ZIP codes: 27023, 27040, 27045, 27101-27110, 27113-27117, 27120, 27127, 27130, 27150, 27152, 27155, 27157, 27198-27199, 27284. Area codes: 336, 743. Elevation: 791 ft (241 m). Area: 134.74 sq mi (348.98 km2).

FAQs

What is the ethnicity of Winston-Salem, NC?

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Winston-Salem, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (45%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (32.8%), White (Hispanic) (7.94%), Other (Hispanic) (3.6%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (3.57%). None of the households in Winston-Salem, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

Is Winston-Salem NC a good place to live?

Winston-Salem is in Forsyth County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Winston-Salem offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Winston-Salem, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Winston-Salem and residents tend to lean liberal. 

What is Winston-Salem NC known for?

Winston-Salem is called the "Twin City" for its dual heritage, and the "Camel City" as a reference to the city's historic involvement in the tobacco industry related to locally based R. J. Reynolds' Camel cigarettes. Many natives of the city and North Carolina refer to the city as "Winston" in informal speech. Winston-Salem is also home to six colleges and institutions, most notably Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Winston-Salem

Wake Forest Baptist Health System 

Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation Department 

Workout Anytime

O2 Fitness 

690 Women's Fitness

Salem Lake Trail 

Hobby Park

Old Salem Museums & Gardens

Reynolda House Museum of American Art

Truist Stadium 

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA)

Data USA

Niche

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