Calabash, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Calabash is a small fishing town
in Brunswick County
, North Carolina
, United States
. The population was 711 at the 2000 census. It prides itself as the Seafood Capital of the World because of the town's offering of "Calabash-Style" seafood
restaurants.
Calabash is part of the Wilmington
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (6.62%) is water.
of 2000, there were 711 people, 377 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density
was 501.5 people per square mile (193.3/km²). There were 508 housing units at an average density of 358.3 per square mile (138.1/km²). 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 (needs definition). 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.
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." Calabash style buffets are common in many eastern Carolina coastal towns. Myrtle Beach
, South Carolina
is home to a large number of these restaurants as the city is very close to Calabash.
In 1998 a large portion of the town of Calabash split to form the town of Carolina Shores
. The split came as the result of years of bickering over "sewer, garbage collection and sign restrictions". The town limits of Carolina Shores currently interlock with those of Calabash.
The current Town Hall is located at 882 Persimmon Road SW.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Brunswick County
Brunswick County, North Carolina
-External links:*******....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 711 at the 2000 census. It prides itself as the Seafood Capital of the World because of the town's offering of "Calabash-Style" seafood
Seafood
Seafood is any form of marine life regarded as food by humans. Seafoods include fish, molluscs , crustaceans , echinoderms . Edible sea plants, such as some seaweeds and microalgae, are also seafood, and are widely eaten around the world, especially in Asia...
restaurants.
Calabash is part of the Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
Calabash is located at 33°53′33"N 78°34′0"W (33.892619, -78.566547).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²), of which 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (6.62%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 711 people, 377 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 501.5 people per square mile (193.3/km²). There were 508 housing units at an average density of 358.3 per square mile (138.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.25% White, 3.66% African American, 0.14% Asian, 2.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families (needs definition). 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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
History
Calabash was named after gourdsCalabash
Lagenaria siceraria , bottle gourd, opo squash or long melon is a vine grown for its fruit, which can either be harvested young and used as a vegetable, or harvested mature, dried, and used as a bottle, utensil, or pipe. For this reason, the calabash is widely known as the bottle gourd...
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." Calabash style buffets are common in many eastern Carolina coastal towns. Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
is home to a large number of these restaurants as the city is very close to Calabash.
In 1998 a large portion of the town of Calabash split to form the town of Carolina Shores
Carolina Shores, North Carolina
Carolina Shores is a town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,482 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town was incorporated in 1998 after a split from the town of Calabash, which came as the result of years of...
. The split came as the result of years of bickering over "sewer, garbage collection and sign restrictions". The town limits of Carolina Shores currently interlock with those of Calabash.
The current Town Hall is located at 882 Persimmon Road SW.