[6] King is part of the Piedmont Triad metropolitan area, located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Winston-Salem.

The railroad laid tracks a few years later and shortened the name to "King" in its business transactions, and to eliminate confusion the post office followed on September 26, 1894.

With new roads, the town's proximity to Winston-Salem, and a new four-lane Highway 52 built in the 1960s, King opened its doors to growth, turning farmland into subdivisions.

Community groups acted as an unofficial town council, providing services such as a fire department, water and sewer.

U.S. Route 52, a four-lane freeway, passes through the city south and west of the center, with access from Exit 123.