Morrisville, located in the heart of the Triangle, is home to around 14,000 residents. The site of booming development — in 1980 the town’s residents numbered just 251 — Morrisville is also working to preserve its past. In January 2007 the town adopted the Town Center Plan, which will guide new development and protect historic structures at the N.C. 54 and Morrisville-Carpenter Road intersection.

What are the local attractions?

The town developed around the Morrisville-Carpenter Road/N.C. 54 intersection as a railroad hub in the 1800s, and 19th-century simple mill houses and old 20th-century storefronts line the narrow streets surrounding the intersection. The Morrisville Christian Church, circa 1900, and the Pugh House, circa 1870, are just two of the historic structures located in the area. Morrisville is home to one of the Triangle's largest outlet malls, Prime Outlets of Morrisville and is also home to the Triangle's largest Hindu temple. Morrisville's proximity to Raleigh-Durham International Airport has made it a magnet for hundreds of businesses.

What's the history?

Chartered in 1852, the community was named for Jeremiah Morris, a landowner who sold land for the railroad that still cuts through the city’s core. Morrisville was the site of one of the last battles of the Civil War on April 13, 1865 when up to 1,000 Union troops swamped Morrisville after days earlier Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox, Va.

Who runs the town?

Morrisville has a commissioner-manager form of government. The seven-member Board of Commissioners sets policies and the town manager oversees day-to-day operations.

Who lives here?

The median age in Morrisville was 30.3 as of the 2000 census. The racial breakdown is 76.5 percent white, 11 percent black, and 9.1 percent Asian. Hispanics or Latinos of any race make up 3.3 percent of the population. Bachelors degrees or higher are held by 55.5 percent of the population over 25.

What about public safety?

Police services are provided by the Morrisville Police Department. Here are the crime statistics for 2006 (source: SBI):

Murder: 0
Rape: 2
Robbery: 2
Aggravated Assault: 6
Burglary: 81
Larceny: 256
Motor Vehicle Theft: 23