Recreation and Leisure
may have been founded with an eye toward commerce, but it has not escaped – nor would it want to – the charms of a southern pace of living nor the southern value placed on a balance of recreation and responsibility. Within fifteen miles of the city center, there are five movie theaters, sixteen golf courses, nineteen libraries, and a wealth of arts and culture institutions. Nearby, there are also the inviting Blue Ridge Mountains and the rivers, just waiting to be explored and enjoyed. Horseback riding is part of local culture and there is no shortage of riding trails.
Fun Facts
Population inside the city limits: 94,911
Metro area population: 235,932, including adjacent counties
Elevation: 940 feet above sea level
Area inside city limits: 42.9 square miles
Average daily temperature in January: 36.2 degrees Fahrenheit
Average daily temperature in July: 75.4 degrees Fahrenheit