Beaufort, North Carolina

Beaufort (pronounced "BO-furt" / IPA: ) is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,771 at the 2000 census and it is thecounty seat of Carteret County. It is sometimes confused with a city of the same name in South Carolina; the two are distinguished by different pronunciations. Beaufort is the oldest town in North Carolina, having been founded as an unincorporated town in 1686. Beaufort is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

Trivia

The book and movie by author Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember takes place in this town.

The Beaufort High School "Seadogs" hold the North Carolina Boys High School basketball record. From 1959-1961, they won 93 straight games over three seasons, including three consecutive state basketball championships-NCHSAA (North Carolina High School Athletic Association). The seniors on the first state championship team of 1959 were Allen Autry, Sr., Larry Dudley (team manager) Sammy Merrill, Frank Potter and Leon Thomas.

In 1996, the town became famous when it was reported that the famed pirate, Blackbeard's, old ship was found. The ship, named the Queen Anne's Revenge, had been destroyed in Blackbeard's final battle. The discovery has made Beaufort a fairly large tourist attraction for Carteret County. Edward Teach aka Blackbeard had a home which still exists in Beaufort, now known as the Hammock House.

Notable residents

Michael John Smith, astronaut (deceased) Captain of the ill-fated NASA Space Shuttle Challenger.
Gerhman Holland, High School All American Basketball player and UNC Basketball player.
Coach Tom McQuaid, (deceased) 2005 NCHSAA inductee into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. His 1959-1961 Beaufort Boys High School Basketball Team (Beaufort Seadogs) holds the NCHSAA record for most consecutive wins at 93 and three consecutive state championships.

Geography

Beaufort is located at (34.720729, -76.652569).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.2 km² (3.5 mi²). 7.1 km² (2.7 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (22.82%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,771 people, 1,780 households, and 1,048 families residing in the town. The population density was 531.4/km² (1,374.4/mi²). There were 2,187 housing units at an average density of 308.2/km² (797.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 75.87% White, 19.99% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.39% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.77% of the population.

There were 1,780 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.3% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the town the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,763, and the median income for a family was $39,429. Males had a median income of $30,859 versus $22,955 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,356. About 13.3% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The city is served by Carteret County Schools.

External links