The City of Statesville is a mid-size city complex in southwest North Carolina, near the South Carolina border. With agricultural and regional banking roots, it has evolved into a thriving and modern city complex. The area is home to major employers such as BankAmerica, Wachovia, Lowe's, and specialty steel maker Nucor. The city's downtown is an eclectic mix of 19th-century neighborhood charm and contemporary skyscraper architecture.
The city's population was well-spread out, with twenty-four percent of households consisting of children under the age of eighteen years. Another seventeen percent of households included a female householder without her husband. Thirty-seven percent of households were non-families, and 31.4% of households were made up of a single person. One in eight households had senior citizens.
The town began as a small settlement in the mid-1800s. It had two taverns and about three stores, with 76 residents in 1800. Six of those were slaves. By the 1850s, Statesville had grown to a busy trading center. The 1850 census listed nine merchants. The 1854 Great Fire destroyed the courthouse and most of the town west of Center Street.
Today, the center of Statesville is undergoing a revitalization, with the city's downtown rivaling those of Pittsburgh and San Diego. A major streetscape renovation recently completed in the center of the city has revitalized the once-dormant center. Residents of Statesville, NC can take advantage of dozens of cultural events throughout the year, such as summer concerts and the Juneteenth festival. The Iredell Arts Council and Theater Statesville offer performances throughout the year. Mitchell Community College also contributes to the economic vitality of the city.