Morehead City, North Carolina: Difference between revisions
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{{Use American English|date=March 2021}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} |
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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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| official_name = Morehead City, North Carolina |
| official_name = Morehead City, North Carolina |
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| settlement_type = [[ |
| settlement_type = [[City]] |
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<!-- Images --> |
<!-- Images --> |
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| image_skyline = Morehead City.jpg |
| image_skyline = Morehead City.jpg |
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| image_caption = Morehead City skyline |
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<!-- Maps --> |
<!-- Maps --> |
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| image_map = NCMap-doton-Beaufort.PNG |
| image_map = NCMap-doton-Beaufort.PNG |
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| mapsize = 250x200px |
| mapsize = 250x200px |
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| map_caption = Location of Morehead City, North Carolina |
| map_caption = Location of Morehead City, North Carolina |
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<!-- Location --> |
<!-- Location --> |
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| subdivision_type = Country |
| subdivision_type = Country |
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| subdivision_name = United States |
| subdivision_name = United States |
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| subdivision_type1 = State |
| subdivision_type1 = State |
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| subdivision_name1 = [[North Carolina]] |
| subdivision_name1 = [[North Carolina]] |
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| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]] |
| subdivision_type2 = [[County (United States)|County]] |
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| subdivision_name2 = [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret]] |
| subdivision_name2 = [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret]] |
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<!-- Government -->| established_title |
<!-- Government --> |
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| established_title = |
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| established_date |
| established_date = <!-- Area --> |
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| government_footnotes |
| government_footnotes = |
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| government_type |
| government_type = |
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| leader_title |
| leader_title = Mayor |
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| leader_name |
| leader_name = Gerald A. Jones, Jr. |
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| leader_title1 |
| leader_title1 = City Manager |
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| leader_name1 |
| leader_name1 = Ryan Eggleston |
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| leader_title2 |
| leader_title2 = City Council |
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| leader_name2 |
| leader_name2 = David A. Horton<br>George W. Ballou<br>William F. Taylor<br>Diane C. Warrender<br>Keri V. McCann |
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<!-- Area --> |
<!-- Area --> |
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| unit_pref = Imperial |
| unit_pref = Imperial |
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| area_total_km2 = |
| area_total_km2 = 27.39 |
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| area_land_km2 = |
| area_land_km2 = 19.18 |
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| area_water_km2 = |
| area_water_km2 = 8.21 |
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<!-- Population --> |
<!-- Population --> |
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| population_as_of = [[ |
| population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] |
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| population_total = |
| population_total = 9556 |
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| population_density_km2 = |
| population_density_km2 = 498.13 |
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| population_density_sq_mi = |
| population_density_sq_mi = 1290.13 |
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<!-- General information --> |
<!-- General information --> |
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| timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] |
| timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] |
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|utc_offset = −5 |
| utc_offset = −5 |
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| timezone_DST = EDT |
| timezone_DST = EDT |
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|utc_offset_DST = −4 |
| utc_offset_DST = −4 |
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| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |
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| elevation_m = 5 |
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| elevation_ft = |
| elevation_ft = 10 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|34|43| |
| coordinates = {{coord|34|43|49|N|76|44|21|W|region:US-NC_type:city|display=inline,title}} |
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| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |
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| postal_code = 28557 |
| postal_code = 28557 |
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| area_code = [[Area code 252|252]] |
| area_code = [[Area code 252|252]] |
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| area_code_type = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]] |
| area_code_type = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]] |
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| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
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| blank_info = 37-44320<ref name="GR2">{{cite web | url = |
| blank_info = 37-44320<ref name="GR2">{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] | access-date = January 31, 2008 | title = U.S. Census website}}</ref> |
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| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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| blank1_info = 2406191<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406191}}</ref> |
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| blank1_info = 1013689<ref name="GR3">{{cite web | url = http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31 | title = US Board on Geographic Names | publisher = [[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref> |
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| website = {{URL|http://moreheadcitync.org/}} |
| website = {{URL|http://moreheadcitync.org/}} |
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| pop_est_as_of = |
| pop_est_as_of = |
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| pop_est_footnotes |
| pop_est_footnotes = |
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| population_est = |
| population_est = |
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| area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref> |
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| area_total_sq_mi = 10.57 |
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| area_land_sq_mi = 7.41 |
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| area_water_sq_mi = 3.17 |
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| image_seal = Morehead City, NC Town Seal.gif |
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| image_flag = Morehead City, NC Town Flag.gif |
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| population_footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Morehead City''' is a port town in [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret County]], [[North Carolina]], United States. The population was 8,661 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3744320| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Morehead City town, North Carolina| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| accessdate=December 23, 2014}}</ref> Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007. It forms part of the [[Crystal Coast]]. |
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'''Morehead City''' is a port city in [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret County]], [[North Carolina]], United States. The population was 8,661 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3744320| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212191526/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3744320| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Morehead City town, North Carolina| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=December 23, 2014}}</ref> Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007. It forms part of the [[Crystal Coast]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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By the early 1850s, a group of investors had been formed and incorporated a land development project known as the "Shepard Point Land Company" which purchased {{convert|600|acre|km2}} of land on the eastern tip of the [[peninsula]] bordering the [[Newport River]], known then as "Shepards Point |
By the early 1850s, a group of investors had been formed and incorporated a land development project known as the "Shepard Point Land Company," which purchased {{convert|600|acre|km2}} of land on the eastern tip of the [[peninsula]] bordering the [[Newport River]], known then as "Shepards Point," which is the present location of Morehead City. The Shepard Point Land Company's objective was to take advantage of the natural deep [[channel (geography)|channel]] of Topsail Inlet, known today as the Beaufort Inlet, which splits [[Bogue Banks]] from [[Shackleford Banks]] and provides access to Morehead City, [[Beaufort, North Carolina]], the [[Newport River]] and the [[Intracoastal Waterway]]. The Shepard Point Land Company was established to construct a deepwater [[port]] to allow another access point for North Carolina timber products to relieve pressure at the port located in [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]. To make the port accessible to the interior of North Carolina, the Atlantic and [[North Carolina Railroad]] line between [[Goldsboro, North Carolina|Goldsboro]] and [[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]] was completed on April 29, 1858. |
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North Carolina Governor [[John Motley Morehead]], for whom the city of Morehead City is named, was a principal member of the Shepard Point Land Company investment group. Fully operational [[rail transport|rail service]] began in July 1858 connecting the town to points west, north and south. |
North Carolina Governor [[John Motley Morehead]], for whom the city of Morehead City is named, was a principal member of the Shepard Point Land Company investment group. Fully operational [[rail transport|rail service]] began in July 1858 connecting the town to points west, north, and south. |
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The |
The city of Morehead City was laid out using a [[grid plan]], whereby city blocks were equally laid out with each block consisting of 16 equally divided lots. The city blocks stretched from 1st Street to 15th Street, incorporating a system of alleys forming an "H" shape that enabled businesses and residential homes to be served from the alleys behind them. |
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Morehead City was officially incorporated by the North Carolina Senate in 1860, at which time the total number of households consisted of only 300 individual families. |
Morehead City was officially incorporated by the North Carolina Senate in 1860, at which time the total number of households consisted of only 300 individual families. |
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The |
The city continued to prosper until the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], when in 1862 it was occupied by [[Union (American Civil War)|Federal]] troops. The war disrupted commerce, and the economy of the port declined along with the town's population. It was not until the 1880s, with the construction of the Atlantic Hotel at the tip of the peninsula and its promotion by the railroad as the "Summer Capital by the Sea," that the area began to experience a resurgence. The popularity of this particular hotel, with its train depot entrance, grand ballroom, piers, sailing, and ferries to the beaches of [[Bogue Banks]], helped to establish Morehead City as a summer destination. |
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It was also during the 1880s and 1890s that fishermen who had lived on the island of [[Shackleford Banks]] moved on to the mainland (often transporting their houses by boat from the outer banks), settling in the areas between 10th and 15th streets and calling it the Promised Land. These fishermen became the nucleus of the [[fishing industry]] that has remained an important part of the town's economy. |
It was also during the 1880s and 1890s that fishermen who had lived on the island of [[Shackleford Banks]] moved on to the mainland (often transporting their houses by boat from the outer banks), settling in the areas between 10th and 15th streets and calling it the Promised Land. These fishermen became the nucleus of the [[fishing industry]] that has remained an important part of the town's economy. |
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==Today's community== |
==Today's community== |
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[[File:Morehead City, NC.jpg|thumb|Morehead City |
[[File:Morehead City, NC.jpg|thumb|Morehead City seen from [[Atlantic Beach, North Carolina|Atlantic Beach]]]] |
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Morehead City's economy is based predominantly on a variety of [[ecotourism]] activities |
Morehead City's economy is based predominantly on a variety of [[ecotourism]] activities, a growing retirement community, and the Port of Morehead City. The local economy is based further on the Port of Morehead City, light industry and manufacturing, land development, light commercial fishing, sport fishing, and other service-oriented businesses. The town is within easy access of [[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]], [[Havelock, North Carolina|Havelock]] and [[Jacksonville, North Carolina]]. [[Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point]] is {{convert|17|mi}} northwest of Morehead City in Havelock, and [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]] is {{convert|30|mi}} west of Morehead City near Jacksonville. |
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{{Further|Shearline Boatworks}} |
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Morehead City is one of two existing ports in North Carolina which primarily export [[phosphate]]. The Port of Morehead City features a dry-bulk facility with a 225,000-ton capacity warehouse and extended open storage facilities. [[SpaceX]] fairing recovery vessels [[Ms. Tree (ship)|Ms. Tree]] and Ms. Chief utilize the port during launch and fairing recovery operations as a safe harbor in the event of inclement weather at sea or if there is an extended launch delay.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stephens |first1=Dean-Paul |title=SpaceX vessel makes pit stop at Morehead City |url=https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_e8034c4c-3339-11ea-bda6-6fcebafac389.html |access-date=May 17, 2020 |agency=Carteret County News-Times |date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Tony |title=See SpaceX hardware in the sky and a North Carolina port |url=https://www.wral.com/see-spacex-hardware-in-the-sky-and-a-north-carolina-port/18762063/ |access-date=May 17, 2020 |publisher=Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. |date=November 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cornwell |first1=Gavin |title=The recovery fleet is sheltering from Tropical Storm Arthur. |url=https://twitter.com/SpaceXFleet/status/1262045213750628352 |website=Twitter |access-date=May 17, 2020}}</ref> |
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Morehead City is one of two existing ports in North Carolina which primarily export [[phosphate]]. The Port of Morehead City features a dry-bulk facility with a 225,000-ton capacity warehouse and extended open storage facilities. |
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[[Carteret General Hospital]] in Morehead City is the second largest employer in Carteret County, behind the [[Carteret County Public Schools]]. |
[[Carteret General Hospital]] in Morehead City is the second largest employer in Carteret County, behind the [[Carteret County Public Schools]]. |
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Morehead City is home to an annual "Bald Is Beautiful" convention<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://abc11.com/archive/9037237/| title=Big Weather named honorary "More-head" citizen| publisher=ABC 11 Eyewitness News| date=March 22, 2013| accessdate=December 23, 2014}}</ref> and is the home of the headquarters of the Bald-Headed Men of America organization.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www-personal.umich.edu/~pfa/bald/baldpride.html| title=Bald Pride Organizations: Bald-Headed Men of America (BHMA)| publisher=Bald Is Beautiful| accessdate=December 23, 2014}}</ref> |
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===Higher education and marine research=== |
===Higher education and marine research=== |
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[[Carteret Community College]] serves the undergraduate community with two-year [[associate degree]] programs focused primarily on trades and service sector occupations. There are several world-class postgraduate programs and research organizations in the area, including the [[UNC Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina]]'s Institute of Marine Sciences,<ref>ims.unc.edu/</ref>[[North Carolina State University]]'s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmast.ncsu.edu|title=Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) |
[[Carteret Community College]] serves the undergraduate community with two-year [[associate degree]] programs focused primarily on trades and service sector occupations. There are several world-class postgraduate programs and research organizations in the area, including the [[UNC Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina]]'s Institute of Marine Sciences,<ref>ims.unc.edu/</ref> [[North Carolina State University]]'s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmast.ncsu.edu|title=Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST)|website=www.cmast.ncsu.edu|access-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> and the [[Duke University]] Marine Lab in nearby Beaufort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/marinelab/|title=Marine Lab Homepage - Nicholas School|website=www.nicholas.duke.edu|access-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> |
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Morehead City also is home to the Research and Compliance Branch |
Morehead City also is home to the Research and Compliance Branch North Carolina Marine Fisheries Division, a governmental organization.<ref>portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/</ref> |
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===Inshore and offshore recreational fishing=== |
===Inshore and offshore recreational fishing=== |
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Morehead City and the surrounding area is an excellent venue for fishermen of all varieties. There are many opportunities for [[recreational fishing]] when in Morehead City because of its pristine [[estuary|estuaries]] and close proximity to the [[Continental Shelf]] and [[Gulf Stream]]. The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates at the tip of [[Florida]] and follows the coastline of the eastern United States to [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, bringing large sport fish species such as the [[Atlantic blue marlin]] and other [[billfish]] close to the North Carolina coastline. |
Morehead City and the surrounding area is an excellent venue for fishermen of all varieties. There are many opportunities for [[recreational fishing]] when in Morehead City because of its pristine [[estuary|estuaries]] and close proximity to the [[Continental Shelf]] and [[Gulf Stream]]. The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates at the tip of [[Florida]] and follows the coastline of the eastern United States to [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]] before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, bringing large sport fish species such as the [[Atlantic blue marlin]] and other [[billfish]] close to the North Carolina coastline. |
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Established in 1957, the [[Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament]] draws large crowds of sporting enthusiasts of all types to Morehead City each year to witness some of the largest Atlantic blue marlin catches in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebigrock.com|title=Big Rock - Blue Marlin Tournament |
Established in 1957, the [[Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament]] draws large crowds of sporting enthusiasts of all types to Morehead City each year to witness some of the largest Atlantic blue marlin catches in North America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebigrock.com|title=Big Rock - Blue Marlin Tournament|website=www.thebigrock.com|access-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Scuba diving=== |
===Scuba diving=== |
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Morehead City and surrounding areas are a popular [[scuba diving]] destination, particularly for the many shipwrecks that have led the waters off North Carolina to be nicknamed the "[[Graveyard of the Atlantic]]". Morehead City sits between a number of famous wrecks, including the [[German submarine U-352]], discovered in part by the late Morehead resident George Purifoy.<ref>{{cite web| title=U-352| url=http://www.olympusdiving.com/DiveCharters/Shipwrecks/U352/tabid/123/Default.aspx| access-date=August 1, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130405014729/http://www.olympusdiving.com/DiveCharters/Shipwrecks/U352/tabid/123/Default.aspx| archive-date=April 5, 2013| url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Morehead City Container yard.jpg|right|thumb|[[Container terminal]]]] |
[[Image:Morehead City Container yard.jpg|right|thumb|[[Container terminal]]]] |
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==Traditional sports== |
==Traditional sports== |
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Morehead City is home to the [[Morehead City Marlins]] of the [[Coastal Plain League]], a [[ |
Morehead City is home to the [[Morehead City Marlins]] of the [[Coastal Plain League]], a [[Collegiate summer baseball|collegiate summer baseball league]]. The Marlins play at [[O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium]] in Morehead City, and began playing in the 2010 season. |
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Youth sports in Morehead City include [[Little League Baseball]], soccer leagues, and basketball leagues. |
Youth sports in Morehead City include [[Little League Baseball]], soccer leagues, and basketball leagues. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Morehead City is located southwest of the center of Carteret County |
Morehead City is located southwest of the center of Carteret County. It occupies a [[peninsula]] bordered to the south by [[Bogue Sound]] and to the north and east by the tidal [[Newport River]]. Across the river to the east is the town of [[Beaufort, North Carolina|Beaufort]], while to the south across Bogue Sound is [[Atlantic Beach, North Carolina|Atlantic Beach]]. |
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According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Morehead City has a total area of {{convert|22.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|17.7|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|4.3|km2|order=flip}}, or 19.55%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/> |
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Morehead City has a total area of {{convert|22.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|17.7|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|4.3|km2|order=flip}}, or 19.55%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010"/> |
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==Climate== |
==Climate== |
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Morehead City has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Cfa]]) with long, hot summers and short, cool winters. |
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<section begin="weather box" />{{Weather box |location = [[Morehead City]], North Carolina (1981–2010 normals),{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.}} |single line = Y |
<section begin="weather box" />{{Weather box |location = [[Morehead City]], North Carolina (1981–2010 normals),{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.}} |single line = Y |
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|collapsed = Y |
|collapsed = Y |
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|Jan high F = 56 |
|Jan high F = 56.3 |
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|Feb high F = |
|Feb high F = 58.6 |
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|Mar high F = 64 |
|Mar high F = 64.1 |
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|Apr high F = |
|Apr high F = 71.5 |
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|May high F = |
|May high F = 77.8 |
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|Jun high F = 84 |
|Jun high F = 84.3 |
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|Jul high F = |
|Jul high F = 87.5 |
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|Aug high F = |
|Aug high F = 86.9 |
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|Sep high F = 83 |
|Sep high F = 83.3 |
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|Oct high F = 76 |
|Oct high F = 76.1 |
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|Nov high F = |
|Nov high F = 67.7 |
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|Dec high F = |
|Dec high F = 59.5 |
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|year high F = |
|year high F =72.8 |
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|Jan low F = 36 |
|Jan low F = 36.2 |
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|Feb low F = 38 |
|Feb low F = 38.1 |
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|Mar low F = |
|Mar low F = 43.6 |
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|Apr low F = |
|Apr low F = 51.7 |
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|May low F = |
|May low F = 60.8 |
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|Jun low F = |
|Jun low F = 69.6 |
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|Jul low F = 73 |
|Jul low F = 73.4 |
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|Aug low F = 72 |
|Aug low F = 72.3 |
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|Sep low F = 67 |
|Sep low F = 67.1 |
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|Oct low F = |
|Oct low F = 56.7 |
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|Nov low F = |
|Nov low F = 47.5 |
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|Dec low F = 39 |
|Dec low F = 39.3 |
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|year low F = |
|year low F =54.7 |
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|Jan avg record high F = 70 |
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|Feb avg record high F = 70 |
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|Mar avg record high F = 74 |
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|Apr avg record high F = 80 |
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|May avg record high F = 86 |
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|Jun avg record high F = 90 |
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|Jul avg record high F = 93 |
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|Aug avg record high F = 92 |
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|Sep avg record high F = 89 |
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|Oct avg record high F = 84 |
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|Nov avg record high F = 79 |
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|Dec avg record high F = 72 |
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|year avg record high F =95 |
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|Jan avg record low F = 17 |
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|Feb avg record low F = 21 |
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|Mar avg record low F = 27 |
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|Apr avg record low F = 34 |
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|May avg record low F = 45 |
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|Jun avg record low F = 57 |
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|Jul avg record low F = 63 |
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|Aug avg record low F = 62 |
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|Sep avg record low F = 53 |
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|Oct avg record low F = 39 |
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|Nov avg record low F = 30 |
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|Dec avg record low F = 21 |
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|year avg record low F =15 |
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|Jan record high F = 78 |
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|Feb record high F = 77 |
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|Mar record high F = 86 |
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|Apr record high F = 92 |
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|May record high F = 97 |
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|Jun record high F = 103 |
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|Jul record high F = 100 |
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|Aug record high F = 98 |
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|Sep record high F = 94 |
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|Oct record high F = 95 |
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|Nov record high F = 84 |
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|Dec record high F = 79 |
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|Jan record low F = 1 |
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|Feb record low F = 8 |
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|Mar record low F = 12 |
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|Apr record low F = 25 |
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|May record low F = 35 |
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|Jun record low F = 40 |
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|Jul record low F = 54 |
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|Aug record low F = 53 |
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|Sep record low F = 41 |
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|Oct record low F = 27 |
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|Nov record low F = 19 |
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|Dec record low F = 3 |
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|precipitation colour = green |
|precipitation colour = green |
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|Jan precipitation inch = 4.65 |
|Jan precipitation inch = 4.65 |
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| Line 161: | Line 225: | ||
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.57 |
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.57 |
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|Dec precipitation inch = 4.24 |
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.24 |
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|year precipitation inch=59 |
|year precipitation inch=59 |
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|Jul snow inch = 0 |
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|Aug snow inch = 0 |
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|Sep snow inch = 0 |
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|Oct snow inch = 0 |
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|Nov snow inch = 0 |
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|Dec snow inch = 0 |
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|Jan snow inch = 0.3 |
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|Feb snow inch = 0.1 |
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|Mar snow inch = 0 |
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|Apr snow inch = 0 |
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|May snow inch = 0 |
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|Jun snow inch = 0 |
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|year snow inch =0.4 |
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|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |
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|unit snow days = 0.1 in |
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|Jan precipitation days = 9 |
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|Feb precipitation days = 8 |
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|Mar precipitation days = 8 |
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|Apr precipitation days = 7 |
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|May precipitation days = 8 |
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|Jun precipitation days = 9 |
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|Jul precipitation days = 11 |
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|Aug precipitation days = 11 |
|||
|Sep precipitation days = 9 |
|||
|Oct precipitation days = 7 |
|||
|Nov precipitation days = 8 |
|||
|Dec precipitation days = 9 |
|||
|year precipitation days=102 |
|||
|Jul snow days = 0 |
|||
|Aug snow days = 0 |
|||
|Sep snow days = 0 |
|||
|Oct snow days = 0 |
|||
|Nov snow days = 0 |
|||
|Dec snow days = 0 |
|||
|Jan snow days = 0 |
|||
|Feb snow days = 0 |
|||
|Mar snow days = 0 |
|||
|Apr snow days = 0 |
|||
|May snow days = 0 |
|||
|Jun snow days = 0 |
|||
|year snow days =0 |
|||
|source 1 = NOAA (North Carolina Observed Climate Normals)<ref name ="University of Washington,1981-2010 Climate Normals" > |
|source 1 = NOAA (North Carolina Observed Climate Normals)<ref name ="University of Washington,1981-2010 Climate Normals" > |
||
{{cite web |url = http://www.atmos.washington.edu/marka/normals/nc.normals.2010.html |
{{cite web |url = http://www.atmos.washington.edu/marka/normals/nc.normals.2010.html |
||
|title = NOAA 1981-2010 Climate Normals |
|title = NOAA 1981-2010 Climate Normals |
||
|publisher = [[University of Washington]] | |
|publisher = [[University of Washington]] |access-date=December 21, 2016}} |
||
</ref> |
</ref> |
||
}}<!-- <section end="weather box" /> --> |
}}<!-- <section end="weather box" /> --> |
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| Line 191: | Line 296: | ||
|2000= 7691 |
|2000= 7691 |
||
|2010= 8661 |
|2010= 8661 |
||
|2020= 9556 |
|||
|estyear=2016 |
|||
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> |
|||
|estimate=9402 |
|||
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref> |
|||
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref> |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 7,691 people, 3,597 households, and 1,985 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,507.6 people per square mile (582.3/km²). There were 4,296 housing units at an average density of 842.1 per square mile (325.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 81.71% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 13.98% Black (U.S. Census), 0.66% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.77% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.13% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.72% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.34% of the population. |
|||
===2020 census=== |
|||
There were 3,597 households out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.73. |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |
|||
|+Morehead City racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3744320&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 24, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> |
|||
!scope="col"| Race |
|||
!scope="col"| Number |
|||
!scope="col"| Percentage |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic) |
|||
| 7,492 |
|||
| 78.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic) |
|||
| 738 |
|||
| 7.72% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] |
|||
| 39 |
|||
| 0.41% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] |
|||
| 123 |
|||
| 1.29% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] |
|||
| 3 |
|||
| 0.03% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]] |
|||
| 420 |
|||
| 4.4% |
|||
|- |
|||
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] |
|||
| 741 |
|||
| 7.75% |
|||
|} |
|||
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 9,556 people, 4,428 households, and 2,276 families residing in the town. |
|||
===2000 census=== |
|||
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 7,691 people, 3,597 households, and 1,985 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,507.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,296 housing units at an average density of {{convert|842.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 81.71% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 13.98% Black (U.S. Census), 0.66% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.77% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.13% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.72% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.34% of the population. |
|||
There were 3,597 households, out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.73. |
|||
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males. |
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males. |
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| Line 205: | Line 347: | ||
==Transportation== |
==Transportation== |
||
===Highways=== |
===Highways=== |
||
* |
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|24}} (often used to transport [[U.S. Marines]] to and from Camp Lejeune)<ref name=GlobalSecurity>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/morehead-city.htm |title=Morehead City |access-date=October 26, 2008 |date=April 26, 2005 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref> |
||
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|70}} |
|||
{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/morehead-city.htm |
|||
|title=Morehead City |accessdate=2008-10-26 |
|||
|author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |
|||
|date=2005-04-26 |
|||
|work= |
|||
|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |
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|pages= |language= |doi= |quote= }} |
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</ref> |
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* [[U.S. Route 70 in North Carolina|US 70]] |
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====Future |
====Future Interstate==== |
||
* {{Jct|state=NC|I-Future|42}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Medlin |first1=Eric |title=Long a destination, Morehead City on road to change |url=https://coastalreview.org/2023/09/long-a-destination-morehead-city-on-road-to-change/ |website=Coastal Review |access-date=September 19, 2023 |date=September 14, 2023}}</ref> |
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* [[Interstate 42]] |
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===Train=== |
===Train=== |
||
[[Amtrak]] provides a Thruway Bus to [[Wilson, North Carolina]] |
[[Amtrak]] provides a Thruway Bus to [[Wilson, North Carolina|Wilson]] that connects with the daily [[Palmetto (train)|''Palmetto'' train]] to [[New York City]] and [[Savannah, Georgia]], as well as the daily [[Carolinian (train)|''Carolinian'' train]] to [[New York City]] and [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Silver Service / Palmetto| url=http://www.amtrak.com/silver-service-palmetto-train| publisher=Amtrak| access-date=June 4, 2014}}</ref> |
||
Into the early 1950s, the [[Atlantic and East Carolina Railway]] ran a daily passenger train to [[Goldsboro, North Carolina|Goldsboro]]' s [[Goldsboro Union Station|Union Station]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Atlantic and East Carolina Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=82 |issue=8 |date=January 1950}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Atlantic and East Carolina Railway |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=87 |issue=7 |date=December 1954}}</ref> The connections at Goldsboro were timed to accommodate a local [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]] overnight train (#111/#112, in final years, #11/#112) to parts in central and western North Carolina, comparable to the North Carolina section of the ''[[Carolina Special]].''<ref>{{cite journal |title=Southern Railway, Table 8 |journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=82 |issue=8 |date=January 1950}}</ref> |
|||
The [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] as of 2007 was studying the resumption of intercity passenger train service from Raleigh through Goldsboro to Morehead City. <ref>{{cite press release| url=http://bytrain.org/redbarinfo/news/2007releases/goldsboro07.html |publisher=North Carolina Department of Transportation, Rail Division |title=NCDOT PURCHASES GOLDSBORO'S UNION PASSENGER STATION |date=August 17, 2007 |access-date=August 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815152048/http://www.bytrain.org/redbarinfo/news/2007releases/goldsboro07.html |archive-date=August 15, 2008 }}</ref> |
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==Hospital== |
==Hospital== |
||
| Line 242: | Line 379: | ||
===Higher learning=== |
===Higher learning=== |
||
* [[Carteret Community College]] |
* [[Carteret Community College]] |
||
* UNC Institute of Marine Sciences |
* [[UNC-Chapel Hill]] Institute of Marine Sciences |
||
* [[NCSU]] Center for Marine Sciences and Technology |
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===Private schools=== |
===Private schools=== |
||
| Line 250: | Line 388: | ||
===Newspapers=== |
===Newspapers=== |
||
The ''[[Carteret County News-Times]]'' is the local newspaper, published three times a week, and is owned by Carteret Publishing Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carteretnewstimes.com|title=Carolina Coast Online |
The ''[[Carteret County News-Times]]'' is the local newspaper, published three times a week, and is owned by Carteret Publishing Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carteretnewstimes.com|title=Carolina Coast Online|website=Carolina Coast Online|access-date=April 2, 2018}}</ref> |
||
===Television=== |
===Television=== |
||
Morehead City is part of the [[Greenville, North Carolina|Greenville]]–[[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]]–[[ |
Morehead City is part of the [[Greenville, North Carolina|Greenville]]–[[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]]–[[Washington, North Carolina|Washington]] [[designated market area]], which was the 109th largest in 2007 (according to [[Nielsen Media Research]]). Broadcast Television Stations serving the market include: |
||
* [[WITN-TV]], the (7), Washington ([[NBC]] affiliate) |
* [[WITN-TV]], the (7), Washington ([[NBC]] affiliate) |
||
* [[WFXI-TV]], the (8), Morehead City ([[Fox TV|Fox affiliate]]) |
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* [[WNCT-TV]], the (9), Greenville ([[CBS]] affiliate) [[the CW]] on their digital subchannel |
* [[WNCT-TV]], the (9), Greenville ([[CBS]] affiliate) [[the CW]] on their digital subchannel |
||
* [[WCTI-TV]], the (12), New Bern ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate, independent "ENC-TV" On Digital) |
* [[WCTI-TV]], the (12), New Bern ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate, independent "ENC-TV" On Digital) |
||
* [[ |
* [[WYDO-TV]], the (14), Greenville ([[Fox TV|Fox affiliate]]) |
||
* [[WUNM-TV]], the (19), Jacksonville ([[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] affiliate of the [[PBS North Carolina]] Network) |
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* [[WPXU-TV]], the (35), Jacksonville ([[i network]]/[[My Network]] affiliate) |
* [[WPXU-TV]], the (35), Jacksonville ([[i network]]/[[My Network]] affiliate) |
||
| Line 267: | Line 405: | ||
* 90.7 FM: [[WOTJ]] FBN (Sacred Christian) |
* 90.7 FM: [[WOTJ]] FBN (Sacred Christian) |
||
* 91.5 FM: [[WBJD]] Public Radio East (NPR) |
* 91.5 FM: [[WBJD]] Public Radio East (NPR) |
||
* 92.3 FM: [[WQSL]] |
* 92.3 FM: [[WQSL]] |
||
* 92.7 FM: [[WBNK]] 92.7 The Beacon (Contemporary Christian) |
* 92.7 FM: [[WBNK]] 92.7 The Beacon (Contemporary Christian) |
||
* |
* 93.3 FM: [[WERO]] Bob 93.3 (Contemporary Hit Radio) |
||
* 94.1 FM: [[WNBU]] (Oldies) |
|||
* 95.1 FM: [[WRNS-FM]] 95.1 WRNS (Country) |
* 95.1 FM: [[WRNS-FM]] 95.1 WRNS (Country) |
||
* 96.3 FM: [[WRHT]] |
* 96.3 FM: [[WRHT]] (Talk Radio) |
||
* 97.9 FM: [[WNBB]] The Bear (Classic Country) |
* 97.9 FM: [[WNBB]] The Bear (Classic Country) |
||
* 98.7 FM: [[WRMR (FM)|WRMR]] Modern Rock 98.7 (Modern Rock) |
* 98.7 FM: [[WRMR (FM)|WRMR]] Modern Rock 98.7 (Modern Rock) |
||
* 99.5 FM: [[ |
* 99.5 FM: [[WMJV]] (Hot Adult Contemporary) |
||
* 100.3 FM: [[WLGP]] GNN (Christian) |
* 100.3 FM: [[WLGP]] GNN (Christian) |
||
* 101.9 FM: [[WIKS]] 101.9 Kiss FM (Urban) |
* 101.9 FM: [[WIKS]] 101.9 Kiss FM (Urban) |
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| Line 284: | Line 423: | ||
* 107.9 FM: [[WNCT-FM]] 107.9 WNCT (Classic Hits) |
* 107.9 FM: [[WNCT-FM]] 107.9 WNCT (Classic Hits) |
||
* 1120 AM: [[WSME]] (Classic Country/Bluegrass) |
* 1120 AM: [[WSME]] (Classic Country/Bluegrass) |
||
==Notable people== |
|||
{{maincat|People from Morehead City, North Carolina}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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| Line 292: | Line 434: | ||
{{wikivoyage|Morehead City}} |
{{wikivoyage|Morehead City}} |
||
* {{official website|http://www.townofmorehead.com}} |
* {{official website|http://www.townofmorehead.com}} |
||
* [https://archive. |
* [https://archive.today/20130129220203/http://www.nccoast.com/meet_our_communities/morehead_city/ Morehead City Attractions and Restaurants] |
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* [http://www.CarteretHealth.org/ Carteret Health Care] |
* [http://www.CarteretHealth.org/ Carteret Health Care] |
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| Line 299: | Line 441: | ||
{{Crystal Coast}} |
{{Crystal Coast}} |
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{{authority control}} |
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[[Category:Cities in North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:Populated places established in 1855]] |
[[Category:Populated places established in 1855]] |
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[[Category:Carteret County, North Carolina]] |
[[Category:Carteret County, North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:1855 establishments in North Carolina]] |
[[Category:1855 establishments in North Carolina]] |
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[[Category:Port cities and towns of the United States Atlantic coast]] |
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[[Category:Port_cities_and_towns_of_the_United_States_Atlantic_coast]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:16, 28 November 2024
Morehead City, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 Morehead City skyline | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Morehead City, North Carolina | |
| Coordinates: 34°43′49″N 76°44′21″W / 34.73028°N 76.73917°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Carteret |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Gerald A. Jones, Jr. |
| • City Manager | Ryan Eggleston |
| • City Council | David A. Horton George W. Ballou William F. Taylor Diane C. Warrender Keri V. McCann |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.57 sq mi (27.39 km2) |
| • Land | 7.41 sq mi (19.18 km2) |
| • Water | 3.17 sq mi (8.21 km2) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 9,556 |
| • Density | 1,290.13/sq mi (498.13/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 28557 |
| Area code | 252 |
| FIPS code | 37-44320[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406191[2] |
| Website | moreheadcitync |
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census.[4] Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007. It forms part of the Crystal Coast.
History
[edit]By the early 1850s, a group of investors had been formed and incorporated a land development project known as the "Shepard Point Land Company," which purchased 600 acres (2.4 km2) of land on the eastern tip of the peninsula bordering the Newport River, known then as "Shepards Point," which is the present location of Morehead City. The Shepard Point Land Company's objective was to take advantage of the natural deep channel of Topsail Inlet, known today as the Beaufort Inlet, which splits Bogue Banks from Shackleford Banks and provides access to Morehead City, Beaufort, North Carolina, the Newport River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Shepard Point Land Company was established to construct a deepwater port to allow another access point for North Carolina timber products to relieve pressure at the port located in Wilmington. To make the port accessible to the interior of North Carolina, the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad line between Goldsboro and New Bern was completed on April 29, 1858.
North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead, for whom the city of Morehead City is named, was a principal member of the Shepard Point Land Company investment group. Fully operational rail service began in July 1858 connecting the town to points west, north, and south.
The city of Morehead City was laid out using a grid plan, whereby city blocks were equally laid out with each block consisting of 16 equally divided lots. The city blocks stretched from 1st Street to 15th Street, incorporating a system of alleys forming an "H" shape that enabled businesses and residential homes to be served from the alleys behind them.
Morehead City was officially incorporated by the North Carolina Senate in 1860, at which time the total number of households consisted of only 300 individual families.
The city continued to prosper until the Civil War, when in 1862 it was occupied by Federal troops. The war disrupted commerce, and the economy of the port declined along with the town's population. It was not until the 1880s, with the construction of the Atlantic Hotel at the tip of the peninsula and its promotion by the railroad as the "Summer Capital by the Sea," that the area began to experience a resurgence. The popularity of this particular hotel, with its train depot entrance, grand ballroom, piers, sailing, and ferries to the beaches of Bogue Banks, helped to establish Morehead City as a summer destination.
It was also during the 1880s and 1890s that fishermen who had lived on the island of Shackleford Banks moved on to the mainland (often transporting their houses by boat from the outer banks), settling in the areas between 10th and 15th streets and calling it the Promised Land. These fishermen became the nucleus of the fishing industry that has remained an important part of the town's economy.
The Great Depression and World War II markedly altered the character of the town. The traditional downtown area had deteriorated and, as newer stores opened further west, the decay in the old center of town accelerated. Finally, in the 1980s, a renewal began when the town obtained a Community Development Block Grant to replace an aging infrastructure and improve the appearance of the waterfront area. Subsequent grants, private investment, and town monies have maintained the forward momentum, so that the town now has a new sea wall, underground utilities, brick paved walkways with planters along the waterfront, all in the downtown area, and tree-lined streets, renovated houses, new docks and new businesses.
The Morehead City Historic District and Morehead City Municipal Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]
Today's community
[edit]
Morehead City's economy is based predominantly on a variety of ecotourism activities, a growing retirement community, and the Port of Morehead City. The local economy is based further on the Port of Morehead City, light industry and manufacturing, land development, light commercial fishing, sport fishing, and other service-oriented businesses. The town is within easy access of New Bern, Havelock and Jacksonville, North Carolina. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Morehead City in Havelock, and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is 30 miles (48 km) west of Morehead City near Jacksonville.
Morehead City is one of two existing ports in North Carolina which primarily export phosphate. The Port of Morehead City features a dry-bulk facility with a 225,000-ton capacity warehouse and extended open storage facilities. SpaceX fairing recovery vessels Ms. Tree and Ms. Chief utilize the port during launch and fairing recovery operations as a safe harbor in the event of inclement weather at sea or if there is an extended launch delay.[6][7][8]
Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City is the second largest employer in Carteret County, behind the Carteret County Public Schools.
Higher education and marine research
[edit]Carteret Community College serves the undergraduate community with two-year associate degree programs focused primarily on trades and service sector occupations. There are several world-class postgraduate programs and research organizations in the area, including the University of North Carolina's Institute of Marine Sciences,[9] North Carolina State University's Center for Marine Sciences and Technology,[10] and the Duke University Marine Lab in nearby Beaufort.[11]
Morehead City also is home to the Research and Compliance Branch North Carolina Marine Fisheries Division, a governmental organization.[12]
Inshore and offshore recreational fishing
[edit]Morehead City and the surrounding area is an excellent venue for fishermen of all varieties. There are many opportunities for recreational fishing when in Morehead City because of its pristine estuaries and close proximity to the Continental Shelf and Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm and swift Atlantic Ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida and follows the coastline of the eastern United States to Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, bringing large sport fish species such as the Atlantic blue marlin and other billfish close to the North Carolina coastline.
Established in 1957, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament draws large crowds of sporting enthusiasts of all types to Morehead City each year to witness some of the largest Atlantic blue marlin catches in North America.[13]
Scuba diving
[edit]Morehead City and surrounding areas are a popular scuba diving destination, particularly for the many shipwrecks that have led the waters off North Carolina to be nicknamed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic". Morehead City sits between a number of famous wrecks, including the German submarine U-352, discovered in part by the late Morehead resident George Purifoy.[14]
Traditional sports
[edit]Morehead City is home to the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The Marlins play at O'Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium in Morehead City, and began playing in the 2010 season.
Youth sports in Morehead City include Little League Baseball, soccer leagues, and basketball leagues.
Geography
[edit]Morehead City is located southwest of the center of Carteret County. It occupies a peninsula bordered to the south by Bogue Sound and to the north and east by the tidal Newport River. Across the river to the east is the town of Beaufort, while to the south across Bogue Sound is Atlantic Beach.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Morehead City has a total area of 8.5 square miles (22.1 km2), of which 6.8 square miles (17.7 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.3 km2), or 19.55%, is water.[4]
Climate
[edit]Morehead City has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) with long, hot summers and short, cool winters.
| Climate data for Morehead City, North Carolina (1981–2010 normals),[a] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 78 (26) |
77 (25) |
86 (30) |
92 (33) |
97 (36) |
103 (39) |
100 (38) |
98 (37) |
94 (34) |
95 (35) |
84 (29) |
79 (26) |
103 (39) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 70 (21) |
70 (21) |
74 (23) |
80 (27) |
86 (30) |
90 (32) |
93 (34) |
92 (33) |
89 (32) |
84 (29) |
79 (26) |
72 (22) |
95 (35) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 56.3 (13.5) |
58.6 (14.8) |
64.1 (17.8) |
71.5 (21.9) |
77.8 (25.4) |
84.3 (29.1) |
87.5 (30.8) |
86.9 (30.5) |
83.3 (28.5) |
76.1 (24.5) |
67.7 (19.8) |
59.5 (15.3) |
72.8 (22.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 36.2 (2.3) |
38.1 (3.4) |
43.6 (6.4) |
51.7 (10.9) |
60.8 (16.0) |
69.6 (20.9) |
73.4 (23.0) |
72.3 (22.4) |
67.1 (19.5) |
56.7 (13.7) |
47.5 (8.6) |
39.3 (4.1) |
54.7 (12.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 17 (−8) |
21 (−6) |
27 (−3) |
34 (1) |
45 (7) |
57 (14) |
63 (17) |
62 (17) |
53 (12) |
39 (4) |
30 (−1) |
21 (−6) |
15 (−9) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 1 (−17) |
8 (−13) |
12 (−11) |
25 (−4) |
35 (2) |
40 (4) |
54 (12) |
53 (12) |
41 (5) |
27 (−3) |
19 (−7) |
3 (−16) |
1 (−17) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.65 (118) |
3.84 (98) |
4.36 (111) |
3.13 (80) |
4.56 (116) |
4.31 (109) |
6.06 (154) |
7.49 (190) |
7.34 (186) |
4.47 (114) |
4.57 (116) |
4.24 (108) |
59 (1,500) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.3 (0.76) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 102 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Source: NOAA (North Carolina Observed Climate Normals)[15] | |||||||||||||
Note
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 316 | — | |
| 1870 | 267 | −15.5% | |
| 1880 | 520 | 94.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,064 | 104.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,379 | 29.6% | |
| 1910 | 2,039 | 47.9% | |
| 1920 | 2,958 | 45.1% | |
| 1930 | 3,483 | 17.7% | |
| 1940 | 3,695 | 6.1% | |
| 1950 | 5,144 | 39.2% | |
| 1960 | 5,583 | 8.5% | |
| 1970 | 5,233 | −6.3% | |
| 1980 | 4,359 | −16.7% | |
| 1990 | 6,046 | 38.7% | |
| 2000 | 7,691 | 27.2% | |
| 2010 | 8,661 | 12.6% | |
| 2020 | 9,556 | 10.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[16] | |||
2020 census
[edit]| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 7,492 | 78.4% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 738 | 7.72% |
| Native American | 39 | 0.41% |
| Asian | 123 | 1.29% |
| Pacific Islander | 3 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 420 | 4.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 741 | 7.75% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,556 people, 4,428 households, and 2,276 families residing in the town.
2000 census
[edit]As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 7,691 people, 3,597 households, and 1,985 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,507.6 inhabitants per square mile (582.1/km2). There were 4,296 housing units at an average density of 842.1 per square mile (325.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 81.71% White, 13.98% Black (U.S. Census), 0.66% Native American, 0.77% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population.
There were 3,597 households, out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.9% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 39.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.73.
In the town the age distribution of the population shows 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,737, and the median income for a family was $39,290. Males had a median income of $26,852 versus $21,995 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,138. About 12.1% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
[edit]Highways
[edit]
NC 24 (often used to transport U.S. Marines to and from Camp Lejeune)[18]
US 70
Future Interstate
[edit]
Train
[edit]Amtrak provides a Thruway Bus to Wilson that connects with the daily Palmetto train to New York City and Savannah, Georgia, as well as the daily Carolinian train to New York City and Charlotte.[20]
Into the early 1950s, the Atlantic and East Carolina Railway ran a daily passenger train to Goldsboro' s Union Station.[21][22] The connections at Goldsboro were timed to accommodate a local Southern Railway overnight train (#111/#112, in final years, #11/#112) to parts in central and western North Carolina, comparable to the North Carolina section of the Carolina Special.[23]
The North Carolina Department of Transportation as of 2007 was studying the resumption of intercity passenger train service from Raleigh through Goldsboro to Morehead City. [24]
Hospital
[edit]Education
[edit]Elementary schools
[edit]- Morehead City Primary School
- Morehead City Elementary School at Camp Glenn
Middle schools
[edit]- Morehead Middle School
High schools
[edit]Higher learning
[edit]- Carteret Community College
- UNC-Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences
- NCSU Center for Marine Sciences and Technology
Private schools
[edit]- St. Egbert's Catholic School
Media
[edit]Newspapers
[edit]The Carteret County News-Times is the local newspaper, published three times a week, and is owned by Carteret Publishing Company.[25]
Television
[edit]Morehead City is part of the Greenville–New Bern–Washington designated market area, which was the 109th largest in 2007 (according to Nielsen Media Research). Broadcast Television Stations serving the market include:
- WITN-TV, the (7), Washington (NBC affiliate)
- WNCT-TV, the (9), Greenville (CBS affiliate) the CW on their digital subchannel
- WCTI-TV, the (12), New Bern (ABC affiliate, independent "ENC-TV" On Digital)
- WYDO-TV, the (14), Greenville (Fox affiliate)
- WUNM-TV, the (19), Jacksonville (PBS affiliate of the PBS North Carolina Network)
- WPXU-TV, the (35), Jacksonville (i network/My Network affiliate)
Radio stations
[edit]- 88.3 FM: WXBE AFR (Christian)
- 89.3 FM: WTEB Public Radio East (NPR/Classical)
- 90.7 FM: WOTJ FBN (Sacred Christian)
- 91.5 FM: WBJD Public Radio East (NPR)
- 92.3 FM: WQSL
- 92.7 FM: WBNK 92.7 The Beacon (Contemporary Christian)
- 93.3 FM: WERO Bob 93.3 (Contemporary Hit Radio)
- 94.1 FM: WNBU (Oldies)
- 95.1 FM: WRNS-FM 95.1 WRNS (Country)
- 96.3 FM: WRHT (Talk Radio)
- 97.9 FM: WNBB The Bear (Classic Country)
- 98.7 FM: WRMR Modern Rock 98.7 (Modern Rock)
- 99.5 FM: WMJV (Hot Adult Contemporary)
- 100.3 FM: WLGP GNN (Christian)
- 101.9 FM: WIKS 101.9 Kiss FM (Urban)
- 103.3 FM: WMGV V 103.3 Soft Rock (AC)
- 104.5 FM: WSTK
- 105.1 FM: WLGV K-LOVE 105.1 (Contemporary Christian)
- 106.5 FM: WSFL-FM 106.5 WSFL (Classic Rock)
- 107.1 FM: WTKF The Talk Station 107.1 (News/Talk)
- 107.9 FM: WNCT-FM 107.9 WNCT (Classic Hits)
- 1120 AM: WSME (Classic Country/Bluegrass)
Notable people
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Morehead City, North Carolina
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Morehead City town, North Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ Stephens, Dean-Paul (January 1, 2020). "SpaceX vessel makes pit stop at Morehead City". Carteret County News-Times. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Rice, Tony (November 12, 2019). "See SpaceX hardware in the sky and a North Carolina port". Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ Cornwell, Gavin. "The recovery fleet is sheltering from Tropical Storm Arthur". Twitter. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ ims.unc.edu/
- ^ "Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST)". www.cmast.ncsu.edu. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "Marine Lab Homepage - Nicholas School". www.nicholas.duke.edu. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ portal.ncdenr.org/web/mf/
- ^ "Big Rock - Blue Marlin Tournament". www.thebigrock.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
- ^ "U-352". Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ "NOAA 1981-2010 Climate Normals". University of Washington. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Morehead City". GlobalSecurity.org. April 26, 2005. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
- ^ Medlin, Eric (September 14, 2023). "Long a destination, Morehead City on road to change". Coastal Review. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ^ "Silver Service / Palmetto". Amtrak. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- ^ "Atlantic and East Carolina Railway". Official Guide of the Railways. 82 (8). National Railway Publication Company. January 1950.
- ^ "Atlantic and East Carolina Railway". Official Guide of the Railways. 87 (7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1954.
- ^ "Southern Railway, Table 8". Official Guide of the Railways. 82 (8). National Railway Publication Company. January 1950.
- ^ "NCDOT PURCHASES GOLDSBORO'S UNION PASSENGER STATION" (Press release). North Carolina Department of Transportation, Rail Division. August 17, 2007. Archived from the original on August 15, 2008. Retrieved August 14, 2008.
- ^ "Carolina Coast Online". Carolina Coast Online. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Morehead City, North Carolina.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Morehead City.
Municipalities and communities of Carteret County, North Carolina, United States | ||
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| Other communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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