Overflow from Lexington, Winston-Salem brings growth to Tyro
A new house built across the highway from a Tyro berry farm symbolizes the area’s gradual transition from a farming community to a bedroom community. Well-regarded schools and proximity to the cities of Lexington and Winston-Salem have lured new residents and more homes to Tyro, says Sandy Walker, a Realtor and broker with Leonard Craver Realty who grew up in Tyro. Plus, some move to Tyro for a lower property tax bill because it’s located in unincorporated Davidson County, outside of the Lexington city limits. “It’s a suburb of Lexington — even though Lexington isn’t too big itself,” Walker says. Builders continue to add homes to Tyro, but scattered farms and the wooded banks of the Yadkin River still lend a rural feel to many parts of the community.
New construction fills in Tyro’s south side
Bungalows and cottages built before 1950 line the roads in the center of Tyro. In the following decades, small subdivisions with roomy yards of at least half an acre were developed around the community. New developments with Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes have been built since 2020 on the south end of Tyro. Prices for turnkey homes typically range from $200,000 to $500,000, though there are also large houses with more than an acre of land that sell in the $600,000s.
Tyro’s CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Davidson County Schools lands B-plus grade from Niche
Many students go to Tyro Elementary School before advancing to Tyro Middle School and West Davidson High School. Niche gives all three schools B-minus grades. Walker says the school district is known for its strong sports programs. West Davidson High has won several state titles in swimming and track and field over the past decade.
Kayakers can follow the Yadkin River to Boone’s Cave Park
The Yadkin River flows along Tyro’s north side, and paddlers can use a launch point underneath U.S. Route 64 to put kayaks and canoes into the water. There’s also a canoe launch at Boone’s Cave Park, 100 acres of hardwood forest that frontiersman Daniel Boone roamed as a teenager. Visitors can hike wooded trails, find a fishing spot along the Yadkin River or play the disc golf course. On the north side of Tyro, kids’ leagues play baseball, softball, volleyball and more at Reeds Athletic Complex. To the east, the public can play the 18-hole course at Sapona Golf & Swim Club year-round.
Longtime barbecue joint and Methodist church anchor small village cent
Most of Tyro’s businesses are found along North Carolina highway 150, which runs through the center of the community. Generations of locals have eaten at Stamey’s Barbecue Tyro since it opened in 1973. “We used to walk there on game days after school to eat before the game,” Walker says. Just down the street, multiple brick buildings make up Tyro Methodist Church, where fellowship groups meet to socialize, pray and support local ministries such as the West Davidson Food Pantry and The Dragonfly House Children’s Advocacy Center. “The Methodist church in the center of Tyro has been a core for that part of the community,” Walker says. “There are a lot of functions there.” Near the church, West Davidson Public Library hosts story time for toddlers, game nights for teens and book clubs for adults. Food Lion and Tyro Family Pharmacy are along the highway, which continues east to Sandy Creek Farm. The farm is open seasonally for blueberry picking and sells homemade jam and fresh fruit at its store. People can head 5 miles east of Tyro to Lexington to shop at Walmart and Lowe’s Home Improvement. It’s 3 miles from Tyro to Lexington Medical Center, the closest hospital.
I-85 and I-285 located directly east
Drives can get around Tyro using highway 150 and U.S. Route 64. Just east of the community, Interstate 285 intersects with Interstate 85; the former leads 30 miles north to Winston-Salem, and the latter extends 45 miles to Greensboro and 55 miles to Charlotte. Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro is the closest place to catch a flight.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
