Oak Island, North Carolina
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History
The island has been inhabited since the early 1800s; Fort Caswell was built on its eastern end in 1838. The remainder of the island was developed beginning in the late 1930s; a pavilion attracted people from nearby Southport and people hunted foxes in the northern area near the Intracoastal Waterway. The island was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Hazel in 1954; only five buildings were left standing on Long Beach in the hurricane's wake. The island quickly recovered and towns of Long Beach and Yaupon Beach were incorporated in 1955. Other hurricanes, such as Diana in 1984, Bertha and Fran in 1996 and Floyd in 1999, has caused damage to the island, though nowhere near as catastrophic as that of Hazel.
Geography
NCMap-doton-OakIsland.PNG
Location of Oak Island, North Carolina
Oak Island is located at 33°54'59" North, 78°7'50" West (33.916262, -78.130468)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 23.6 km² (9.1 mi²). 20.6 km² (8.0 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 12.61% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 6,571 people, 3,076 households, and 2,100 families residing in the town. The population density is 318.3/km² (824.8/mi²). There are 6,651 housing units at an average density of 322.2/km² (834.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.01% White, 0.43% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,076 households out of which 18.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% are married couples living together, 6.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% are non-families. 25.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.51.
In the town the population is spread out with 15.0% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 22.3% from 25 to 44, 36.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 49 years. For every 100 females there are 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $40,496, and the median income for a family is $48,775. Males have a median income of $30,656 versus $24,759 for females. The per capita income for the town is $23,964. 8.0% of the population and 4.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.7% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
External link
- Official Town Site (http://www.ci.oak-island.nc.us)
- Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.southport-oakisland.com/)