Denver, North Carolina

Denver, North Carolina
Denver
Denver
Coordinates: 35°32′04″N 81°02′02″W / 35.53444°N 81.03389°W / 35.53444; -81.03389
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyLincoln
Area
  Total
5.93 sq mi (15.37 km2)
  Land5.93 sq mi (15.35 km2)
  Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
889 ft (271 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
2,697
  Density455.04/sq mi (175.68/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28037
Area code704
FIPS code37-17000
GNIS feature ID2584315
Websitehttp://www.denvernc.com

Denver, formerly known as Dry Pond, is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 2,309.

Known as “Dry Pond” until 1873, it was renamed “Denver” (after the capital of the then territory of Colorado) as a marketing and growth strategy directed towards the emerging railroad industry. The name change was championed by D. Matt Thompson, a local principal. The town was incorporated as such from 1877 until 1971, when the town lost its charter and was reincorporated back into Lincoln County.