Winston-Salem’s 1999 time capsule

What was Winston-Salem like at the turn of the millennium? We took a look back to see what life was like pre-Y2K.

Aerial shot of Winston-Salem and a search bar with the text "Winston-Salem 1999."

Hey Google, what was Winston-Salem like in 1999?

Photo via Canva

Do you remember 1999? Thanks to Google Trends time capsule, you see which fads were titanic in 1999. According to the report, adults were watching “The Matrix” and “The Sopranos” while kids were into “Toy Story 2” and “Teletubbies.” People also used the search engine to learn about David Beckham or evaluate their Pokémon cards, and searches for hot sauce set the web ablaze.

Livin la vida local

Want to know what life was like in the Twin City? We dug up some data to help us remember what happened that year — thanks to some help from a 26-year-old search engine.

The stats:

  • Median family income: $49,300
  • City’s population: 168,086
  • Estimated cost to buy a home: $142,260 (prices have increased 135.8%)
  • Average cost of a gallon of gasoline in North Carolina: $0.594
  • The 1999-2000 Winston-Salem city budget totaled $273.2 million.

In the news

  • The Winston-Salem IceHawks finished their second (and final) minor league hockey season at the Fairgrounds Arena.
  • The city approved a Downtown Restaurant Recruitment plan to support the creation of businesses.
  • Linda Davis was sworn in as the city’s first female police chief on March 23. The Winston-Salem native graduated from RJ Reynolds High School and retired in 2004.
  • Commercial flights at Smith Reynolds Airport declined to 7,000. The following year, the last remaining commercial carrier, USAir, ended service.

Sounds of the 90s

More from WStoday
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
These spots are open and within walking distance in the following neighborhoods.
From where to park to what to expect at the race track, we’ve got all the details for you.
The research will help address the growing organ donor shortage in the nation.
The iconic music festival is hitting play after a long pause.
Don’t already have a coffee in hand? You will after reading this.
As the Twin City prepares for a big year ahead, here are some events you won’t want to miss.
Plan your year with the unique experiences the Twin City has to offer.
The historic building turns into a restaurant.
From lifting weights, indoor rock climbing, personal training, dance fitness, boxing classes, and martial arts programs — we’ve rounded up 20+ gyms and fitness offerings around the Twin City.