Swansboro, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Swansboro is a town in Onslow County
, North Carolina
, United States
. In 2007, the estimated population was 1,540. It is part of the Jacksonville, North Carolina
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. Swansboro is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks
region.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (8.96%) is water.
of 2000, there were 1,426 people, 655 households, and 419 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,168.2 people per square mile (451.3/km²). There were 770 housing units at an average density of 630.8 per square mile (243.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.18% White, 4.63% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.91% from other races
, and 3.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.81% of the population.
There were 655 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,740, and the median income for a family was $45,357. Males had a median income of $32,188 versus $25,556 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,625. About 10.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
in the North Carolina House of Commons and a resident of Onslow County. In 1818, Otway Burns
built the Prometheus, the first steamboat actually constructed in North Carolina.
The town, originally spelled Swannsborough, is sometimes called "The Friendly City by the Sea".
M.N. Lisk, a popular Swansboro mayor, was the creator of the annual Mullet Festival, one of the first coastal seafood festivals in North Carolina.
It is also the town featured in Nicholas Sparks' novel "The Guardian"
Onslow County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 150,355 people, 48,122 households, and 36,572 families residing in the county. The population density was 196 people per square mile . There were 55,726 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 2007, the estimated population was 1,540. It is part of the Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 United States census, the population stood at 70,145, which makes Jacksonville the 14th largest city in North Carolina...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Jacksonville, North Carolina metropolitan area
The Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county – Onslow – in North Carolina, anchored by the city of Jacksonville...
. Swansboro is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks
Inner Banks
The Inner Banks is a term used by some to describe the inland coastal region of eastern North Carolina, an area on the East Coast of the United States that is 22,227 square-miles by its broadest definition...
region.
Geography
Swansboro is located at 34°41′36"N 77°7′38"W (34.693327, -77.127327).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (8.96%) is water.
Town government
The Town of Swansboro is governed by four Board of Commissioners members and the Mayor. The Commissioners are elected for four-year terms. The Mayor is elected for two-year terms. They are elected as Town-wide representatives. The Mayor presides at all meetings as the "Chairman" of the Board of Commissioners. The mayor votes only to break a tie and the Mayor Pro Tem is appointed by the Commissioners and conducts the meetings in the absence of the Mayor.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,426 people, 655 households, and 419 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,168.2 people per square mile (451.3/km²). There were 770 housing units at an average density of 630.8 per square mile (243.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.18% White, 4.63% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.91% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.81% of the population.
There were 655 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $37,740, and the median income for a family was $45,357. Males had a median income of $32,188 versus $25,556 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $19,625. About 10.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
History
Swansboro was first incorporated as a town in 1783 and takes its name from Samuel Swann who was a SpeakerSpeaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
in the North Carolina House of Commons and a resident of Onslow County. In 1818, Otway Burns
Otway Burns
Otway Burns was an American privateer during the War of 1812 and later, a North Carolina State Senator.-Early life:...
built the Prometheus, the first steamboat actually constructed in North Carolina.
The town, originally spelled Swannsborough, is sometimes called "The Friendly City by the Sea".
M.N. Lisk, a popular Swansboro mayor, was the creator of the annual Mullet Festival, one of the first coastal seafood festivals in North Carolina.
It is also the town featured in Nicholas Sparks' novel "The Guardian"
Education
- Queens Creek Elementary School
- Swansboro Elementary School
- Swansboro Middle School
- Swansboro High School