Swansboro | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Swansboro | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: "The Friendly City by the Sea" | |
 Location within the state of North Carolina | |
  Swansboro Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates:34°41′48″N77°07′13″W / 34.69667°N 77.12028°W /34.69667; -77.12028 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Onslow |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | William Justice |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.38 sq mi (6.16 km2) |
| • Land | 2.24 sq mi (5.79 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.37 km2) |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 3,744 |
| • Density | 1,675/sq mi (646.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 28584 |
| Area codes | 910, 472 |
| FIPS code | 37-66360[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406700[2] |
| Website | swansboro-nc |
Swansboro is aresort town inOnslow County,North Carolina, United States. It is located along theCrystal Coast. The population was 3,744 at the2020 census.[4]
Swansboro started as a settlement around the plantation ofTheophilus Weeks. In 1783, Swansboro was incorporated as a town, taking its name from Samuel Swann, aSpeaker in theNorth Carolina House of Commons and a resident ofOnslow County. In 1818,Otway Burns built thePrometheus, the first riversteamboat 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, initiated the annual Mullet Festival,[5] one of the first coastal seafood festivals in North Carolina.
The town is featured as the setting ofNicholas Sparks' novelThe Guardian.
TheSwansboro Historic District was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1990.[6]
In 2018, Swansboro was among the hardest hit cities byHurricane Florence. A record 30.58 inches (77 cm) of rain fell at Swansboro, North Carolina, breaking the previous state record of 24.06 inches (61 cm).[7]
According to theUnited 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) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (8.96%) is water.
The Town of Swansboro is governed by the mayor and five commissioners (who form the Board of Commissioners). The commissioners are elected for four-year and two-year terms. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term. They are elected as Town-wide representatives. The mayor presides at all meetings as the chairman of the Board of Commissioners, and votes only to break a tie. The mayor pro tem is appointed by the commissioners and presides over meetings in the absence of the mayor.[8]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 801 | — | |
| 1870 | 141 | — | |
| 1880 | 128 | −9.2% | |
| 1890 | 233 | 82.0% | |
| 1900 | 265 | 13.7% | |
| 1910 | 390 | 47.2% | |
| 1920 | 420 | 7.7% | |
| 1930 | 394 | −6.2% | |
| 1940 | 454 | 15.2% | |
| 1950 | 559 | 23.1% | |
| 1960 | 1,104 | 97.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,207 | 9.3% | |
| 1980 | 976 | −19.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,165 | 19.4% | |
| 2000 | 1,426 | 22.4% | |
| 2010 | 2,663 | 86.7% | |
| 2020 | 3,744 | 40.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 3,091 | 82.56% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 121 | 3.23% |
| Native American | 14 | 0.37% |
| Asian | 77 | 2.06% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.11% |
| Other/Mixed | 201 | 5.37% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 236 | 6.3% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 3,744 people, 1,360 households, and 755 families residing in the town.
As of thecensus of 2000, there were 1,426 people, 655 households, and 419 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,168.2 inhabitants per square mile (451.0/km2). There were 770 housing units at an average density of 630.8 per square mile (243.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.18%White, 4.63%African American, 0.21%Native American, 0.77%Asian, 0.91% fromother races, and 3.30% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the town was $19,625. About 10.3% of families and 11.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Swansboro sits across theIntracoastal Waterway fromHammocks Beach State Park and is a popular destination for tourists, outdoor enthusiasts and recreational fishermen.
The Rotary Club of Swansboro is active in the community and regularly hosts events such as the annual King Mackerel Tournament and numerous fundraising gatherings. The Mullet Festival is the most notable and longest running Annual festival of 68 years that features a parade, street vendors, and live music.[11]
Swansboro travel guide from WikivoyageMunicipalities and communities ofOnslow County, North Carolina,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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