Mars Hill, North Carolina

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Mars Hill is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,764 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Higher Education
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Mars Hill is located at 35°49′43″N, 82°32′52″W (35.828496, -82.547843)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 5.0 km² (1.9 mi²), all land. The town has an elevation of 2,330 feet, so the climate of the area is considerably cooler than might be expected of a town in a southern state.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,764 people, 541 households, and 312 families residing in the town. The population density was 352.9/km² (911.7/mi²). There were 586 housing units at an average density of 117.2/km² (302.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.21% White, 5.95% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.85% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.

There were 541 households out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.3% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the town the population was spread out with 11.7% under the age of 18, 43.1% from 18 to 24, 16.2% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,917, and the median income for a family was $45,000. Males had a median income of $29,615 versus $23,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,366. About 11.1% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Higher Education

Mars Hill College, a coed, accredited, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the North Carolina Baptist Convention, is located in Mars Hill. It is the oldest college in western North Carolina. Due to the presence of the college, residents of the town of Mars Hill enjoy a much greater variety of cultural, intellectual, and entertainment offerings than would usually be found in a town of its size.