Elk Park, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Elk Park is a town in Avery County
, North Carolina
, United States
. The town was so named because of the number of Elk
killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
("Tweetsie") linked Cranberry
and Johnson City, Tennessee
with a stop at Elk Park; three years later, Elk Park was incorporated. In 1911, Avery County was established; originally Elk Park was to serve as the county seat, but was changed after North Carolina Lieutenant-Governor William C. Newland
made a deal that the new county seat would be named after him for his aid in passage of the bill. However, Elk Park did serve as a temporary county seat while the new incorporated town of Newland
was being constructed. In 1950, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina decommissioned the railroad at Elk Park, ending rail service in Avery County; though it has survived as a town unlike neighboring Cranberry.
of 2000, there were 459 people, 205 households, and 125 families residing in the town. The population density
was 659.2 people per square mile (253.2/km²). There were 237 housing units at an average density of 340.3 per square mile (130.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.56% White, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.
There were 205 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,769, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $26,000 versus $15,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,486. About 15.6% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.
Avery County, North Carolina
- Climate :As a result of its relatively high elevation, Avery County has a Humid continental climate enjoying considerably cooler summers than most of the rest of the Eastern US. Likewise, winters are longer, colder and snowier than most other locations in the region. This can be evidenced by the...
, 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 town was so named because of the number of Elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
killed there. The population was 459 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Elk Park is located at 36°9′30"N 81°58′52"W (36.158356, -81.981088).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 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
History
In 1882, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina RailroadEast Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad
The East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad , affectionately called the "Tweetsie" in reference to the sound of its steam whistles, was primarily a railroad established in 1866 for the purpose of serving the mines at Cranberry, North Carolina.The narrow gauge portion of the ET&WNC was...
("Tweetsie") linked Cranberry
Cranberry, North Carolina
Cranberry is an unincorporated community in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The community was founded in 1850 and was named after Cranberry Creek, which flows in the area...
and Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
with a stop at Elk Park; three years later, Elk Park was incorporated. In 1911, Avery County was established; originally Elk Park was to serve as the county seat, but was changed after North Carolina Lieutenant-Governor William C. Newland
William C. Newland
William Calhoun "Will" Newland was an attorney who served a term as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina .A Democrat, Newland had previously served as mayor of his hometown, Lenoir, North Carolina, and was elected to terms in the North Carolina Senate and in the North Carolina House of...
made a deal that the new county seat would be named after him for his aid in passage of the bill. However, Elk Park did serve as a temporary county seat while the new incorporated town of Newland
Newland, North Carolina
Newland is a town in Avery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 704 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Avery County. Before its founding, the area was known as Old Fields or Old Fields of Toe. In 1911 it was renamed Newland, after North Carolina Lieutenant Governor...
was being constructed. In 1950, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina decommissioned the railroad at Elk Park, ending rail service in Avery County; though it has survived as a town unlike neighboring Cranberry.
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 459 people, 205 households, and 125 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 659.2 people per square mile (253.2/km²). There were 237 housing units at an average density of 340.3 per square mile (130.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.56% White, and 0.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.40% of the population.
There were 205 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% 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, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,769, and the median income for a family was $27,500. Males had a median income of $26,000 versus $15,750 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 $13,486. About 15.6% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 19.2% of those age 65 or over.