Calabash, North Carolina

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Calabash is a town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States, in the Wilmington metro area. The population was 711 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Calabash is located at 33°53′33″N, 78°33′60″W (33.892619, -78.566547)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²). 3.7 km² (1.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (6.62%) is water.

It is the southernmost river town in the state of North Carolina and is a quaint salt marsh community that provides southern hospitality in its plethora of seafood restaurants.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 711 people, 377 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density was 193.3/km² (501.5/mi²). There were 508 housing units at an average density of 138.1/km² (358.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.25% White, 3.66% African American, 0.14% Asian, 2.25% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.66% of the population.

There were 377 households out of which 11.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.89 and the average family size was 2.32.

In the town the population was spread out with 9.7% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 19.4% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 36.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,946, and the median income for a family was $38,403. Males had a median income of $27,202 versus $25,368 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,975. About 5.4% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Calabash was named after gourds that grew in the region, which were used for drinking. Since the 1930s, Calabash has been known for its distinctive style of fried seafood, which has come to be known as "calabash style." The town has many seafood restaurants and is often referred to as the "Seafood Capital of the World."

Calabash style buffets are also in many southeastern coastal towns. Myrtle Beach, SC is home to a great majority of these restaurants as the city is very close to Calabash, NC.