Williamston, North Carolina

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Williamston, North Carolina
Town
Motto: "Easy Living with Hometown Values"
Location of Williamston, North Carolina
Location of Williamston, North Carolina
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Country United States
State North Carolina
County Martin
Area
 • Total 3.7 sq mi (9.6 km2)
 • Land 3.7 sq mi (9.6 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 72 ft (22 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 5,511
 • Density 1,581.3/sq mi (610.5/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 27892
Area code(s) 252
FIPS code 37-74220[1]
GNIS feature ID 1023261[2]
Website www.townofwilliamston.com

Williamston is a town in Martin County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,511 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Martin County.[3] The closest major city is Greenville,[3] approx. 28 mi to the southwest.

Geography

Williamston is located at Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (35.851454, -77.062588).[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2), all of it land. However, it is on the Roanoke River.

Some major highways are U.S. 13, U.S. 17, and U.S. 64.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 616
1870 520 −15.6%
1880 482 −7.3%
1890 751 55.8%
1900 912 21.4%
1910 1,574 72.6%
1920 1,800 14.4%
1930 2,781 54.5%
1940 3,966 42.6%
1950 4,975 25.4%
1960 6,924 39.2%
1970 6,570 −5.1%
1980 6,159 −6.3%
1990 5,503 −10.7%
2000 5,843 6.2%
2010 5,511 −5.7%
Est. 2014 5,322 [5] −3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,844 people, 2,350 households, and 1,536 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,581.3 people per square mile (609.7/km²). There were 2,506 housing units at an average density of 678.2 per square mile (261.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 57.50% African American, 40.41% White, 0.29% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 2,350 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.4% were married couples living together, 26.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 72.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,925, and the median income for a family was $32,984. Males had a median income of $28,661 versus $20,337 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,125. 29.0% of the population and 22.8% of families were below the poverty line. 40.5% of those under the age of 18 and 28.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Civil rights movement

Williamston was the focus of activity in the civil rights movement.[7] Beginning in June 1963, civil rights activists protested at City Hall for 29 consecutive days led by Golden Frinks.[7]

The Ku Klux Klan was very active in this part of the state during this time including a well-documented rally in Williamston on October 5, 1963 attended by mostly local residents but with several carloads of attendees traveling over 150 miles to attend.[8]

Education

Martin Community College

Notable residents of Williamston

Historical marker for Asa Biggs in Willimston

References

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External links