Williamston, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williamston, North Carolina
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Main Street
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| Motto(s):
"Easy Living with Hometown Values"
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Location of Williamston, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Martin |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.39 sq mi (11.38 km2) |
| • Land | 4.39 sq mi (11.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 5,511 |
| • Estimate
(2019)
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5,202 |
| • Density | 1,183.89/sq mi (457.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
27892
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| Area code(s) | 252 |
| FIPS code | 37-74220 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1023261 |
| 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 and is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. The closest major city is Greenville, approximately 28 mi to the southwest.
Contents
Geography
Williamston is located at 35°51′5″N 77°3′45″W / 35.85139°N 77.06250°W (35.851454, -77.062588).
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% | |
| 2019 (est.) | 5,202 | −5.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,638 | 31.21% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 3,234 | 61.62% |
| Native American | 23 | 0.44% |
| Asian | 60 | 1.14% |
| Other/Mixed | 147 | 2.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 146 | 2.78% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,248 people, 2,274 households, and 1,388 families residing in the town.
Civil rights movement
Williamston was the focus of activity in the civil rights movement. Beginning in June 1963, civil rights activists protested at City Hall for 29 consecutive days led by Golden Frinks.
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.
Education
- Riverside High School
- Martin Community College
Infrastructure
Emergency services
The Williamston Fire Rescue EMS responds to approximately 2,500 fire, rescue, EMS or hazardous materials calls per year, and covers a 122 sq mi (320 km2) area. It has 19 full-time members, and approximately 37 volunteers.
Notable people
- Asa Biggs, U.S. congressman from North Carolina and United States federal judge
- Tillie Ehringhaus, First Lady of North Carolina
- William E. Ingram, Jr., former director of the Army National Guard
- Gaylord Perry, Major League Baseball pitcher and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Jim Perry, Major League Baseball pitcher
- Sarah J. C. Whittlesey (1824–1896), author, poet, hymn writer
See also
In Spanish: Williamston (Carolina del Norte) para niños
