Hatteras, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Hatteras is an unincorporated community
in Dare County
, North Carolina
, United States
, on the Outer Banks
island of Hatteras
. North Carolina Highway 12 passes through the community linking it to Frisco
and Ocracoke
(via a ferry
in Hatteras). It is south of the famous Cape Hatteras
and the Cape Hatteras Light
house in Buxton
. The inlet that the ferries use is Hatteras Inlet
.
The residents of Hatteras are governed by the Dare County Board of Commissioners
. Hatteras is part of District 4, along with Avon
, Buxton
, Frisco
, Rodanthe
, Waves
and Salvo
.
Watersports are plentiful on both the ocean-side and the sound-side of the village. Proximity to the convergence of the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream result in the largest surf available on the East Coast. On the protected Pamlico Sound side of the island watersports such as windsurfing, kayaking, kiteboarding, and swimming are all readily available and accessible.
Fishing is a major source of recreation as well as revenue in Hatteras. Many boats use Hatteras Inlet, Hatteras Marina, and Oden Docks as ports for their fishing businesses. In fact, the Pamlico Sound, which separates Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, is one of the largest estuarine systems in the world and offers an almost limitless variety of fishing opportunities.
washed a 3000 feet (900 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep channel called Isabel Inlet
through the community of Hatteras Village on the southern end of the island. The tear was subsequently repaired and restored by sand dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Dare County
Dare County, North Carolina
-National protected areas:* Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge * Cape Hatteras National Seashore * Fort Raleigh National Historic Site* Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge* Wright Brothers National Memorial-Demographics:...
, 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...
, on the Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
island of Hatteras
Hatteras Island
Hatteras Island is a barrier island located off the North Carolina coast. Dividing the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound, it runs parallel to the coast, forming a bend at Cape Hatteras. It is part of North Carolina's Outer Banks and includes the towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton,...
. North Carolina Highway 12 passes through the community linking it to Frisco
Frisco, North Carolina
Frisco is a small unincorporated community on the barrier island of Hatteras Island, between the villages of Buxton and Hatteras. It is located in Dare County, North Carolina, USA, and was previously named Trent, or Trent Woods, but received a new name with the coming of the post office in 1898...
and Ocracoke
Ocracoke, North Carolina
Ocracoke is a census-designated place and unincorporated town located at the southern end of Ocracoke Island, located entirely within Hyde County, North Carolina. The population was 769 as of the 2000 census...
(via a ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
in Hatteras). It is south of the famous Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras is a cape on the coast of North Carolina. It is the point that protrudes the farthest to the southeast along the northeast-to-southwest line of the Atlantic coast of North America...
and the Cape Hatteras Light
Cape Hatteras Light
Cape Hatteras Light is a lighthouse located on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina near the community of Buxton, and is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore....
house in Buxton
Buxton, North Carolina
Buxton is an unincorporated community of nearly 1,500 people on Hatteras Island near Cape Hatteras. It is located in Dare County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. North Carolina Highway 12 links the community to other Outer Banks communities such as Avon, Frisco, and Hatteras...
. The inlet that the ferries use is Hatteras Inlet
Hatteras Inlet
Hatteras Inlet is a estuary in North Carolina, located along the Outer Banks, separating Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pamlico Sound. Hatteras Inlet is located entirely within Hyde County.- History :...
.
The residents of Hatteras are governed by the Dare County Board of Commissioners
Dare County Board of Commissioners
The Dare County Board of Commissioners is the governing body of Dare County, North Carolina. It runs in the manner of a county commission. It has seven seats held by elected officials called County Commissioners. The Commissioners are elected at large in countywide elections and serve four-year...
. Hatteras is part of District 4, along with Avon
Avon, North Carolina
Avon is a a census-designated place in Dare County in the State of North Carolina in the United States of America. It is located at latitude 35°21'7" North, longitude 75°30'39" West. The village is south of Salvo and north of Buxton on Hatteras Island...
, Buxton
Buxton, North Carolina
Buxton is an unincorporated community of nearly 1,500 people on Hatteras Island near Cape Hatteras. It is located in Dare County in the U.S. state of North Carolina. North Carolina Highway 12 links the community to other Outer Banks communities such as Avon, Frisco, and Hatteras...
, Frisco
Frisco, North Carolina
Frisco is a small unincorporated community on the barrier island of Hatteras Island, between the villages of Buxton and Hatteras. It is located in Dare County, North Carolina, USA, and was previously named Trent, or Trent Woods, but received a new name with the coming of the post office in 1898...
, Rodanthe
Rodanthe, North Carolina
Rodanthe is an unincorporated community located in Dare County, North Carolina, on Hatteras Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Rodanthe, along with Waves and Salvo, are part of the settlement of Chicamacomico...
, Waves
Waves, North Carolina
Waves is an unincorporated community in Dare County, North Carolina, USA. It is on Hatteras Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Waves, along with Rodanthe and Salvo, are part of the settlement of Chicamacomico....
and Salvo
Salvo, North Carolina
Salvo is an unincorporated community located in Dare County, North Carolina, on Hatteras Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Originally part of the settlement of Chicamacomico, Salvo was originally known as Clarks or Clarksville.The name "Salvo" allegedly stems from the American Civil...
.
Attractions and recreation
Hatteras is best known as a fishing and vacation destination. This community offers visitors ample opportunities for recreation, sightseeing, and remote relaxation especially on its beautiful beaches.Watersports are plentiful on both the ocean-side and the sound-side of the village. Proximity to the convergence of the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream result in the largest surf available on the East Coast. On the protected Pamlico Sound side of the island watersports such as windsurfing, kayaking, kiteboarding, and swimming are all readily available and accessible.
Fishing is a major source of recreation as well as revenue in Hatteras. Many boats use Hatteras Inlet, Hatteras Marina, and Oden Docks as ports for their fishing businesses. In fact, the Pamlico Sound, which separates Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, is one of the largest estuarine systems in the world and offers an almost limitless variety of fishing opportunities.
Recent history
Hatteras Island was cut in half on September 18, 2003, when Hurricane IsabelHurricane Isabel
Hurricane Isabel was the costliest and deadliest hurricane in the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. The ninth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the season, Isabel formed near the Cape Verde Islands from a tropical wave on September 6 in the tropical Atlantic Ocean...
washed a 3000 feet (900 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep channel called Isabel Inlet
Isabel Inlet
Isabel Inlet was an informally named inlet along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was created by Hurricane Isabel when it swept ashore on September 18, 2003....
through the community of Hatteras Village on the southern end of the island. The tear was subsequently repaired and restored by sand dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers.