Welcome To The Fifth District

Our district takes in the northwest part of the state from the foothills of the piedmont to the southern highlands of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Long known as one of the primary manufacturing and transportation hubs of the southeastern U.S., the Piedmont Triad region is also a leading educational and cultural mecca.  Old Salem, located in Forsyth County, is a living history museum that operates within the restored Moravian community of Salem.  Settled originally in 1766 by Moravians as a trading town, Salem was one of several Moravian settlements located in the Wachovia Tract.  Salem merged with the nearby town of Winston in 1913.  Winston-Salem has since grown into a bustling city home to the corporate headquarters of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Corporation, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc., and Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T).

Cutting through the eastern portion of the district, the Yadkin River is one of the largest rivers in North Carolina.  This area is now known as the Yadkin Valley wine region and covers about 1.4 million acres in the Yadkin River Valley within the piedmont and foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and is recognized as the first American viticultural area in North Carolina.  For decades, the area was a key tobacco-growing region.  However, as tobacco farming and cigarette manufacturing in the area decline, some entrepreneurs, including tobacco farmers, are turning to winemaking.  The native grapes of this region in the southeastern United States are the muscadine and the scuppernong.  A number of varieties of wines are made in the region, including merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay.

Pilot Mountain, located in Surry County, is a quartzite monadnock rising to a peak of 2,421 feet and is one of the most distinctive natural features in the state of North Carolina.  This state park is a remnant of the ancient chain of Sauratown Mountains.  Its original Native American name is Jomeokee, for "great guide" or "pilot".  The town of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina is situated near the mountain's base.  Just a few miles north is the city of Mt. Airy, North Carolina known for its rock quarries, being the birthplace of Andy Griffith, and the inspiration for the fictional community Mayberry, the setting of The Andy Griffith Show.  Nearby is Hanging Rock State Park.  Within its 6,000 acres are more than 18 miles of maintained hiking trails that lead to vistas, waterfalls, caves and ridges.  This state park also encompasses the highest peaks of the Sauratown Mountains.

North Carolina's High Country and the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the major chains of the Appalachian Mountains, are best known for their characteristic haze which gives them their distinctive "blue" color.  In the highlands you will find Grandfather Mountain standing at 5,964 feet, the tallest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Grandfather is best known for its mile-high swinging bridge.  The Blue Ridge Parkway passes by the south side of the mountain.  This national parkway, designated as an "All-American Road," is noted for its scenic beauty stretching 469 miles.  It is the longest, narrowest national park in the world.

Tucked in the northwestern corner of North Carolina is 426-square-mile Ashe County. This small county is packed with things to do year-round.  Whether it's the Christmas in July Festival in West Jefferson or the Festival of the Frescoes in the fall there's always something to do.  Ashe County is also home to Mount Jefferson State Park, the north-flowing New River and the famous Ashe County Cheese Factory in West Jefferson.

Wilkes County is one of the birthplaces of modern stock-car racing.  The North Wilkesboro Speedway opened in 1947 and was one of the first NASCAR (National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing) tracks.  Wilkes County is still a major hub for NASCAR racing, with many race shops located in the county, mostly around Mooresville.

View a map of the 5th District
View the lastest U.S. Census Report on the 5th District
Local Government, Town, and Chamber Websites
State Government and Agency Websites

Visit the Counties of the 5th District

Alexander County as of 2000, the population is 33,603. Its county seat is Taylorsville.

Alleghany County as of 2000, the population is 10,677. Its county seat is Sparta.

Ashe County as of 2000, the population is 24,384. Its county seat is Jefferson.

Davie County as of 2000, the population is 34,835. Its county seat is Mocksville.

Forsyth County as of 2000, the population is 306,067. Its county seat is Winston-Salem.

Iredell County as of 2000, the population is 122,660. Its county seat is Statesville.

Rockingham County as of 2000, the population is 91,928. Its county seat is Wentworth.

Stokes County as of 2000, the population is 44,711. Its county seat is Danbury.

Surry County as of 2000, the population is 71,219. Its county seat is Dobson.

Watauga County as of 2000, the population is 42,695. Its county seat is Boone.

Wilkes County as of 2000, the population is 65,632. Its county seat is Wilkesboro.

Yadkin County as of 2000, the population is 36,348. Its county seat is Yadkinville.