Plymouth, North Carolina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 35°51′35″N 76°44′52″W / 35.85972, -76.74778
Plymouth, North Carolina
Image:NCMap-doton-Plymouth.PNG Location of Plymouth, North Carolina
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Washington
Area
- Total	3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
- Land	3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation	13 ft (4 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	4,107
- Density	1,061.7/sq mi (409.9/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	27962
Area code(s)	252
FIPS code	37-53040^GR2
GNIS feature ID	0992600^GR3

Plymouth is the largest town in Washington County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,107 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Washington County^GR6. Plymouth is located on the Roanoke River about seven miles upriver from its mouth into the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 People From Plymouth
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Plymouth is located at 35°51′35″N, 76°44′52″W (35.859729, -76.747770)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.0 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.0 km²) of it is land and 0.26% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,107 people, 1,623 households, and 1,119 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,061.7 people per square mile (409.7/km²). There were 1,829 housing units at an average density of 472.8/sq mi (182.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 35.04% White, 63.09% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.73% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 1,623 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 27.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 23.0% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 77.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,281, and the median income for a family was $26,800. Males had a median income of $26,352 versus $17,350 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,067. About 30.8% of families and 37.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 54.3% of those under age 18 and 28.8% of those age 65 or over.

The primary industry for the area is the Domtar Division of Weyerhaeuser Corp., a paper manufacturer. The paper mill and its related facilities have been the largest employer since 1937. It was owned by Kieckhefer Container Company which was merged into Weyerhauser in 1957. At the present time (December 2007), the industrial output and employment of this facility have been reduced markedly compared to previous years by a series of plant facility shutdowns. The long-term future of the mill is unclear.

The town is rebranding itself as a tourist destination to offset the reduction in paper-making employment, taking advantage of its stunning natural beauty, being surrounded by vast tracts of forests and beautiful swamplands.

[edit] History

Plymouth has the historical distinction of being the site of the second largest battle in North Carolina during the War Between the States (a.k.a. the Civil War). The Confederate ironclad "CSS Albemarle" and its eventual sinking on October 27, 1864 while moored at a dock in Plymouth are the centerpieces of this history. The geographical importance for the Northern forces of its location at the mouth of the Roanoke River was the Union desire to push upriver and capture the vital railroad line passing through Weldon, NC, which would completely cut off the major supply line for General Lee's army in Virginia from more southerly ports. This would essentially end all material support for Lee's forces and force his defeat or retreat from Virginia. The Port O'Plymouth Museum, located in the old Atlantic Coastline railroad station in downtown Plymouth, has an excellent nationally-recognized collection of War between the States artifacts including one of the most complete belt buckle and button collections in the U.S. and a model of the ram "Albemarle".

[edit] People From Plymouth

Russ Bowen - News anchor and reporter for WLOS-13 in Asheville, NC.
Augustin Daly - Playwright, drama critic, theactrical owner and manager
Jacklyn H. Lucas - Youngest Marine to receive the Medal of Honor [[1]]