Lowell is a city in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,662 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Lowell is located at (35.267346, -81.101210).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.6 square miles (6.8 km²), all of it land. The South Fork Catawba River borders Lowell on the north and the city is part of the Cramerton Watershed.

History

Lowell was incorporated in 1879. It was named after Lowell, Massachusetts, in hopes the city would become a similar textile center. The settlement dates back to 1850, when Woodlawn Mill was built on the South Fork Catawba River. When grading was done for the Atlanta and Richmond Air Line Railway in 1870 and a small depot was built in the community, it was given the name "Wright’s Station", because the nearest resident was William Wright.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,662 people, 1,085 households, and 748 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,011.8 people per square mile (390.8/km²). There were 1,137 housing units at an average density of 432.2/sq mi (166.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.40% White, 6.46% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 1,085 households out of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,586, and the median income for a family was $39,143. Males had a median income of $30,750 versus $24,063 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,809. About 10.1% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Lowell is governed by a mayor and a five-member city council. It is run by a full-time City Administrator. Lowell operates its own Police Department. Fire protection is provided by the Lowell Volunteer Fire Department (Station 17).

Lowell is in South Point Township.

Education

Public education in Lowell is administered by the Gaston County Schools public school system. The public schools in Lowell are Lowell Elementary School, Kindergarten through Grade 5, and Holbrook Middle School, Grades 6-8.

Most of Lowell is in the attendance district for Lowell Elementary School. Southeastern parts of the city are in the attendance district for McAdenville Elementary School in McAdenville, and a small area in southwestern Lowell is in the attendance distinct for Gardner Park Elementary School in Gastonia. All of the city is in the attendance district for Holbrook Middle School.

High School age students attend Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, except for a small part of southeastern Lowell which is in the attendance district for South Point High School in Belmont.

Private schools in Lowell include the elementary school of Gaston Christian School. New middle school and high school facilities are currently under construction at the Lowell campus. In the meantime, the school has been renting facilities for the middle school and high school programs at the former campus of Sacred Heart College in Belmont since 1994.

Transportation

The primary east-west highway passing through Lowell is Interstate 85. Other important highways include U.S. Route 29/U.S. Route 74 (Wilkinson Blvd./Franklin Blvd.) and North Carolina Highway 7 (McAdenville Rd./3rd St./Main St./1st St./Lowell Rd.).

Freight rail service is provided by the Norfolk Southern Railway. While Amtrak's passenger train also follows the Norfolk Southern main line, the nearest station is in Gastonia.

Points of Interest

• George Poston Park is located northwest of Lowell on Lowell-Spencer Mountain Road. This Gaston County-operated park includes a playground, 4 lighted softball/little league fields, 4 lighted soccer fields, and a mountain bike trail.
• The Lowell Teacherage at 503 W. First St. in Lowell is a Designated Gaston County Historic Property. It was built in 1924 to house teachers when the local school was not in session.

Famous Residents

• Whitey Lockman (born 1926), a retired Major League Baseball player, primarily with the New York Giants. Lockman also managed the Chicago Cubs for 2½ seasons.

References

External links

• City of Lowell official government website