Oxford, North Carolina

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Oxford, North Carolina
Location of Oxford, North Carolina
Location of Oxford, North Carolina
Coordinates: 36°18′43″N 78°35′27″W / 36.31194, -78.59083
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Granville
Area
 - Total 4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
 - Land 4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
 - Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²)
Elevation 479 ft (146 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 8,338
 - Density 1,862.8/sq mi (719.2/km²)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 27565
Area code(s) 919
FIPS code 37-49800[1]
GNIS feature ID 1021773[2]

Oxford is a city in Granville County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,338 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Granville County[3].

Contents

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[edit] History

The town's history dates to 1761, when local legislator Samuel Benton built a plantation home and called it Oxford. The legislature ordered the area around his plantation to be the seat of Granville County. The city was not incorporated until 1816. [1]

The first Masonic orphanage for children in the United States was built in Oxford. It was established as the Oxford Orphans Asylum, and is today known as the Masonic Home for Children. [2]

In 1970, Henry Marrow was murdered in Oxford in a racial hate crime. The murder resulted in a racial rebellion. The events were chronicled by Timothy Tyson in the book Blood Done Sign My Name.

[edit] Geography

Oxford is located at 36°18′43″N, 78°35′27″W (36.311903, -78.590762)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.5 square miles (11.6 km²), all of it land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 8,338 people, 3,188 households, and 2,088 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,862.8 people per square mile (718.6/km²). There were 3,395 housing units at an average density of 758.5/sq mi (292.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 43.79% White, 51.43% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.39% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.56% of the population.

There were 3,188 households out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 81.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,707, and the median income for a family was $39,131. Males had a median income of $28,912 versus $23,703 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,696. About 17.0% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.0% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notable former residents

[edit] Schools

  • JF Webb High School
  • Northern Granville Middle School
  • Mary Potter Middle School
  • Joe Toler-Oak Hill Elementary School
  • CG Creadle Elementary School
  • West Oxford Elementary School

[edit] References

[edit] External links