Goldsboro, North Carolina

Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 39,043 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 38,023 in 2006.^[3] It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Founded in 1787, incorporated in 1847, it is the county seat of Wayne County^[4]. The city is situated in the North Carolina's Coastal Plain and is bordered on the south by the Neuse River and the west by the Little River, about 35 miles southwest of Greenville^[4] and 55 miles southeast of Raleigh, the state capital. Goldsboro is best known as home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

[edit] Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 39,043 people, 14,630 households, and 9,465 families residing in the city. The population density was 608.1/km² (1,574.9/mi²). There were 16,372 housing units at an average density of 255.0/km² (660.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.04% White, 52.24% African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.44% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.69% of the population.

There were 14,630 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.1% were married couples living together, 20.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.3% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.5 males. Because of the warm climate, low cost of living, and proximity of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, many military retirees live in the area.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,456, and the median income for a family was $34,844. Males had a median income of $26,223 versus $21,850 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,614. About 15.4% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.7% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

Around 1787, when Wayne County was formed, a town named Waynesborough grew around the county's courthouse. Located on the east bank of the Neuse River, the town became the county seat. Population growth in Waynesborough continued through the 1830s, however this changed once the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was completed in the early 1840s. By then, a hotel had been built at the intersection of the railroad and New Bern Road, which grew into a community after the train started to transport passengers from there.

More and more citizens soon relocated from Waynesborough to this growing village, named eventually "Goldsborough's Junction" after Major Matthew T. Goldsborough, an Assistant Chief Engineer with the railroad line. Later this was shortened simply to Goldsborough. In 1847, the town was incorporated and became the new Wayne County seat.

In the following decades, Goldsborough's growth continued in part by new railroad connections to Charlotte and Beaufort. By 1861, the town's population was estimated to be 1,500.

Because of its importance as railroad junction, Goldsborough played a significant role in the Civil War, for both stationing Confederate troops as well as transporting their supplies. The town also provided hospitals for soldiers wounded in nearby battles.

In December 1862, the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge was waged, in which both sides fought for possession of the strategically significant Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Bridge. Union General John Foster arrived with his troops on December 17, aiming to destroy this bridge in order to put an end to the vital supply chain from the port of Wilmington. He succeeded on that same day, his troops overpowering the small amount of defending Confederate soldiers, and burning down the bridge. On their way back to New Bern, Foster's men were attacked again by Confederate troops, but they survived the attack with less casualties than the enemy.

Goldsborough was once more the scene of a Union offensive in 1865, during Union General Sherman's Carolinas Campaign. After the battles of Bentonville and Wyse Fork, Sherman's forces met with the armies of Schofield, their troops taking over the city in March. During the following three weeks, Goldsborough was occupied by over 100,000 Union soldiers. After the war was over, some of these troops continued to stay in the city.

In 1869, the spelling of the city was officially changed to Goldsboro.

The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base opened on the outskirts of Goldsboro in April 1942. From this point on, much of the city's population and businesses increased as a result of the airbase's presence.

As noted in the List of military nuclear accidents, in 1961, two hydrogen bombs were dropped accidentally on the village of Faro, 12 miles north of Goldsboro. The two Mark39 weapons were released after the crew abandoned a B-52 bomber which had suffered mid-flight structural failure. Both bombs went through several steps in the arming sequence, but neither one detonated.^[5]

[edit] Law and government

Alfonzo "Al" King is presently the city's Mayor, succeeding former mayor Hal Plonk in 2002. As mayor, King is the official and ceremonial head of city government and presides at all City Council meetings. The mayor and the City Council are elected to office for a four-year term. Goldsboro has a council-manager government, with Joseph R. Huffman being the current City Manager.

[edit] City Council members

1st District: Michael Headen
2nd District: Bob Waller
3rd District: Donnie R. Chatman, Sr.
4th District: Rev. Charles J. Williams, Sr.
5th District: Chuck Allen
6th District: Jackie Warrick

[edit] Geography

Goldsboro is located at 35°22′55″N, 77°58′41″W (35.381961, -77.977974)^[6].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 64.3 km² (24.8 mi²). 64.2 km² (24.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.08%) is water.

[edit] Sites of interest

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is a state park located near the city. It covers 751 acres (3 km²) along the southern banks of the Neuse River. It has a swimming area, several hiking trails, fishing areas, a nature museum, and picnic areas. The cliffs rise 90 feet above the Neuse River.
Waynesborough Historical Village is a reconstructed "village" located near the original site of the town of Waynesborough. It is home to historical Wayne County buildings ranging from various periods of time. These buildings include a family home, a medical office, a one room school, a law office, and a Quaker Meeting House.
Herman Park includes a recreational center, miniature train, tennis courts, picnic shelters, a turn-of-the-century park house, gazebo, goldfish pond, fountain, and children's playground.
The Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course, which was built in 1941 and renovated in 1999.

[edit] Education

[edit] Colleges

Wayne Community College
North Carolina Wesleyan College, Goldsboro campus

[edit] High schools

Eastern Wayne High School
Goldsboro High School
Rosewood High School
Wayne Early/Middle College High School
Wayne School of Engineering
Belfast Academy

[edit] Middle schools

Rosewood Middle School
Eastern Wayne Middle School
Greenwood Middle School
Goldsboro Intermediate School
Dillard Middle School

[edit] Elementary schools

Eastern Wayne Elementary School
Spring Creek Elementary School
Meadow Lane Elementary School
School Street Elementary School
Rosewood Elementary School
Carver Heights Elementary School
North Drive Elementary School
Tommy's Road Elementary School
Grantham School
Dillard Academy

[edit] Private schools

Wayne Country Day School
Faith Christian Academy
Pathway Christian Academy
Wayne Christian School

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspaper

The Goldsboro News-Argus is the city's only daily newspaper, with a circulation of approximately 21,500.

[edit] Television

Goldsboro supports two television stations. One is a cable access station called PACC-10 TV. It is available to Time Warner customers and airs its own programming as well as City Council and County Commissioner meetings. The station often features stories about local individuals, groups, and events. WHFL TV 43 is a low power broadcast station on UHF channel 43 and is also found on two local cable networks. The station is a FamilyNet affiliate and carries religious, local, and family programming. The area is also served by television stations from the Raleigh-Durham and Greenville areas. NBC affiliate WNCN-TV, Channel 17, is licensed to Goldsboro but has its studios in Raleigh.

[edit] Radio stations based in Goldsboro

WYMY 96.9 FM Spanish
WKIX 97.7 Country
WFMC 730 AM Gospel
WGBR 1150 AM News/Talk

[edit] Transportation

The closest airport is Goldsboro-Wayne Municipal Airport, but is only used for general aviation. The nearest public airport is Kinston Regional Jetport (IATA: ISO) in Kinston about 28 miles east of Goldsboro, although most residents use Raleigh-Durham International Airport for domestic and international travel.

Major highways that run through the city are US 70 (the main thoroughfare through Goldsboro), US 13, US 117, Highway 111, and Highway 581. I-795 now connects Goldsboro to I-95 in Wilson.

[edit] Hospitals

Wayne Memorial Hospital (North Carolina), a medical facility located in Goldsboro, is the county's second largest employer.
Cherry Hospital is a psychiatric hospital which first started in 1880 as a facility to treat mentally ill African Americans. A museum depicting its history is also part of the hospital campus.

[edit] Notable natives and former residents

Andy Griffith, lived in Goldsboro for a few years, teaching English, drama, and music at Goldsboro High School
George Altman, a baseball player
Lee Andrews, R&B singer who formed The Hearts in 1952
Warren Barfield, a musician
Curtis Hooks Brogden, a 19th century politician
Kia Drayton, Playmate
Mike Evans, a basketball coach
Johnny Grant, a radio personality and television producer and honorary mayor of Hollywood
Anne Jeffreys, an actress and singer
Carl Kasell, a radio newscaster
John H. Kerr, III, a senator
Clyde King, a baseball manager
Manny Lawson, 1st round NFL draft pick from North Carolina State
Jerry Narron, a baseball manager
Sam Narron, a baseball player
Mark O'Meara, a golfer
David Thornton, an American football player
Thomas Washington, an admiral during World War I
William Henry Washington, a 19th century politician
Chris Richardson, a contestant on the sixth season of American Idol

[edit] External links

Goldsboro, North Carolina is at coordinates 35°22′55″N 77°58′41″W / 35.381961, -77.977974 (Goldsboro, North Carolina)Coordinates: 35°22′55″N 77°58′41″W / 35.381961, -77.977974 (Goldsboro, North Carolina)

[edit] References

^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ Goldsboro, North Carolina (NC) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders
^ ^a ^b Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
^ Nuclear Mishap in Goldsboro. Broken Arrow: Goldsboro, NC (2000). Retrieved on June 14, 2005.
^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Wayne County, North Carolina

County seat: Goldsboro

City	Goldsboro

Towns	Eureka \| Fremont \| Mount Olive \| Pikeville \| Seven Springs

Village	Walnut Creek

CDPs	Brogden \| Elroy \| Mar-Mac

Unincorporated community	Dudley

Military base	Seymour Johnson Air Force Base