New Bern, North Carolina
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New Bern is a city located in Craven County, North Carolina where the Trent River and the Neuse River converge. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 23,128. It is the county seat of Craven CountyTemplate:GR.
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History
New Bern was founded by the Swiss in 1710, and is named after the capital of Switzerland, Bern. The first permanent seat of the colonial government of North Carolina was located in New Bern. Following the American Revolutionary War, Tryon Palace, former home of British governor William Tryon, became the original Capitol of newly-independent state North Carolina, as it remained until the 1790s.
New Bern was the site of a battle early in the American Civil War in which it was captured and occupied by union forces.
New Bern is also known as the birthplace of Pepsi Cola, which was invented by New Bern pharmacist Caleb Bradham.
Geography
NCMap-doton-NewBern.PNG
Location of New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is located at 35°6'33" North, 77°4'9" West (35.109070, -77.069111)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.9 km² (27.0 mi²). 66.9 km² (25.8 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 4.30% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 23,128 people, 10,006 households, and 6,183 families residing in the city. The population density is 345.7/km² (895.5/mi²). There are 11,094 housing units at an average density of 165.8/km² (429.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 55.96% White, 40.32% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 10,006 households out of which 27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% are married couples living together, 18.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% are non-families. 33.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.26 and the average family size is 2.85.
In the city the population is spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $29,139, and the median income for a family is $38,990. Males have a median income of $28,720 versus $21,687 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,499. 19.4% of the population and 14.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.4% of those under the age of 18 and 14.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External links
- Official web site of New Bern, NC (http://www.ci.new-bern.nc.us/)
- New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.newbernchamber.com/)
- Craven County Convention and Visitor's Bureau (http://www.visitnewbern.com/)
- Christoph von Graffenried's account of the founding of New Bern (http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/graffenried/menu.html)