It is a poorer place than its history-saturated neighbors. Folks here show their work in their faces. Modern industrial plants, old southern aristocrats, and the poor coexist with splashes of evangelical Christian sentiment liberally applied. There are churches everywhere, from the poorest housing development to the tree-lined residential areas. Protestant denominations dominate, particularly Southern Baptist and mainline Presbyterian.
Folks are also devoted to their high school football.
Scout and Jem still play on the streets here, only their clothes and toys are more modern. Huge oak trees shade big Victorian houses from the sun, and low iron fences frame meticulous lawns. But don't assume the owners are rich. Though a good number of the residents are college-educated professionals, many of Volvo's workers live here, thanks to low property values and taxes. Downtown is a registered historical shopping district, and its centerpiece is the old courthouse.