| Nags Head, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Location of Nags Head, North Carolina | |
| Coordinates: | |
| 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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Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea. The origin of the town's name is obscure but it may have been named after Nag's Head Island, an island in the River Thames in England at Abingdon. Another possible source of the name was in reference to the lights hung on mules' heads by "wreckers" who would lead ships to be shipwrecked near shore where the economically challenged could loot the ships of their valuables.
Around 1830, Nags Head became known as a resort area, and so remains today. Jockey's Ridge is the last vestige of the sand dunes seen by the first explorers, as the area is now highly developed.
Nags Head is located at (35.932004, -75.615085).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17 km2), of which, 6.5 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (1.51%) is water.
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 per square mile (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.
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, squirrels, 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, and 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 (destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 and bought and renovated by the North Carolina Aquariums; it reopened in May 2011), and Outer Banks Pier which are popular for fishing. The town also features miniature golf courses and small amusement centers with go-karts and bumper cars for family entertainment.
Other attractions include various National Register of Historic Places in or near Nags Head, such as the following:
| Landmark name[5] | Image | Date listed | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodie Island Lifesaving and Coast Guard Station | February 9, 1979 | S of Nags Head on NC 12 |
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| Bodie Island Light Station | July 4, 2003 | Off NC 12 |
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| First Colony Inn | January 21, 1993 | 6720 S. Virginia Dare Trail |
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| Markham-Albertson-Stinson Cottage | January 13, 2006 | 4300 W. Soundside Rd. |
Destroyed by Hurricane Irene[6] | |
| Mattie Midgett Store and House | December 23, 2004 | 4008 S. Virginia Dare Trail |
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| Nags Head Beach Cottages Historic District | August 19, 1977 | U.S. 158 |
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| Sea Foam Motel | December 23, 2004 | 7111 S. Virginia Dare Trail |
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| USS Huron | November 15, 1991 | Address restricted |
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