Nags Head, North Carolina
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| Nags Head, North Carolina | |
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| — Town — | |
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| Coordinates: 35°55′55″N 75°36′54″W / 35.93194°N 75.615°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Dare |
| Area | |
| - Total | 6.6 sq mi (17.2 km2) |
| - Land | 6.5 sq mi (16.9 km2) |
| - Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 2,700 |
| - Density | 413.2/sq mi (159.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 27959 |
| Area code(s) | 252 |
| FIPS code | 37-45880[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1021599[2] |
| Website | www.townofnagshead.net |
Nags Head is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,700 at the 2000 census.
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[edit] History
Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea. Tales of land pirates who used mules, nags, with lanterns tied to their necks to lure ships ashore in stormy weather may be the possible origin of the town's name. Or it may have been carried across the sea by English explorers who were reminded of a similar location of the English coast, a high point on the Isles of Scilly, the last sight of old England that the earlier explorers were to see on their voyage to the New World.
The true origin is obscured, but legend and lore insists that early 18th century bandits known as Bankers, realized how profitable piracy was for seagoing scoundrels such as Blackbeard, and developed their own unique method as land-based pirates. They would tie lanternes around nags necks. Merchant skippers in the off-shore waters would mistakenly think the lights were of other ships closer to shore. They would then change course and run aground, with the Bankers pillaging their cargoes. That's how Nags Head got its name.
Around 1830, Nags Head became known as a plush resort area and so remains today. Jockey's Ridge is the last vestige of the giant moving sand dunes that once towered over the beaches and greeted the first explorers, as the area is now highly developed, featuring a variety of rental properties, restaurants, shops, bars, and entertainment activities.
[edit] Geography
Nags Head is located at 35°55′55″N 75°36′54″W / 35.93194°N 75.615°W (35.932004, -75.615085)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.2 km²), of which, 6.5 square miles (16.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (1.51%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,700 people, 1,138 households, and 726 families residing in the town. The population density was 413.2 people per square mile (159.4/km²). There were 4,149 housing units at an average density of 634.9/sq mi (244.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.96% White, 1.33% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 1,138 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $53,095, and the median income for a family was $61,302. Males had a median income of $33,289 versus $30,139 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,157. About 4.4% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Attractions
Located in Nags Head is the largest sand dune on the East Coast, Jockey's Ridge. The sand dune has migrated over the years from wind and erosion, and has buried a miniature golf course along the way. A castle is still visible and is a major landmark. Also buried is The Old Nags Head Hotel. The area surrounding Jockey's Ridge is good for biking, or hiking. Jockey's Ridge has been popular with Hang-gliders since the advent of the sport, as well as kite flyers and sand gliders. The Ridge includes an informative museum with exhibits on sand, weather, and area animals. The creatures outside are numerous and includes bird species, foxes, mice, squirels, occasional deer and friendly wild rabbits. One of the most exciting features of the Ridge is its capriciousness. Annual visitors find that lagoons can spring up, the sand can shift making for a fresh experience every time. From the top of the Ridge, the ocean as well as the sound can be seen. Jockey's Ridge has a sound beach on the Roanoke Sound side that visitors can swim in.
The Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is 1,092 acres (4.42 km2) and lies North of Jockey's Ridge and east of Roanoke Sound. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974[4].
As in any other beach town, the ocean and shoreline are the major attractions, providing beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and a variety of water sports. A series of historic cottages overlook the beach in sections. There are three piers, Nags Head Pier, Jennette's Pier (which is currently demolished and under reconstruction), and Outer Banks Pier which are popular for fishing.
[edit] References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "NPS: Explore Nature » National Natural Landmarks". Nature.nps.gov. 2009-06-25. http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/Registry/USA_Map/States/NorthCarolina/NNL/NH/index.cfm. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
[edit] External links
- Official website of Nags Head, NC
- Web cam of Nags Head, NC - East
- Web cam of Nags Head, NC - West
- Story of the Sand Castle
- The Old Nags Head Hotel
- Nags Head, North Carolina is at coordinates 35°55′55″N 75°36′54″W / 35.932004°N 75.615085°WCoordinates: 35°55′55″N 75°36′54″W / 35.932004°N 75.615085°W
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