Mount Olive, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
This article is about the town in Wayne County, North Carolina. For the unincorporated community in Stokes County see Mount Olive, Stokes County, North Carolina
.
Mount Olive is a town in Wayne
and Duplin
counties in the U.S. state
of North Carolina
. The population was 4,567 at the 2000 census
. It is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The town is home to the Mount Olive Pickle Company
, Butterball
,http://www.butterball.com/media_release/the-best-of-all-is-butterballsupregsup and Mount Olive College
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all land.
Mount Olive is part of the Coastal Plain
region.
of 2000, there were 4,567 people, 1,770 households, and 1,125 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,819.3 people per square mile (702.5/km²). There were 2,012 housing units at an average density of 801.5 per square mile (309.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 82.98% White, 12.30% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races
, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.17% of the population.
There were 1,770 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples
living together, 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 77.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,984, and the median income for a family was $31,176. Males had a median income of $26,814 versus $19,224 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,184. About 16.4% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 21.6% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2006 many residents are of Mexican descent. Many are illegal immigrants.
The Mount Olive Pickle Festival is held the last full weekend of April each year. The annual celebration is put on by both the community of Mount Olive and the Mount Olive Pickle Company.
On New Year's Eve
, the Mount Olive pickle company celebrates in unusual fashion by dropping a three-foot pickle down a flagpole into a pickle tank. However, instead of midnight local time, the drop takes place at 7 p.m. The event first took place on New Year's Eve 1999.
in Goldsboro
and the private, liberal arts institution Mount Olive College
.
Mount Olive, Stokes County, North Carolina
Mount Olive is an unincorporated community in Stokes County, North Carolina, United States, approximately five miles north of King on North Carolina State Highway 66.It is not to be confused with Mount Olive, Wayne County, North Carolina....
.
Mount Olive is a town in Wayne
Wayne County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Brogden*Dudley*Elroy*Eureka*Fremont*Goldsboro*Mar-Mac*Mount Olive*Pikeville*Rosewood*Seven Springs*Walnut Creek*Grantham-Geography:According to the U.S...
and Duplin
Duplin County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 49,063 people, 18,267 households, and 13,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile . There were 20,520 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
counties in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. The population was 4,567 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. It is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Goldsboro metropolitan area
The Goldsboro Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county – Wayne – in North Carolina, anchored by the city of Goldsboro...
. The town is home to the Mount Olive Pickle Company
Mount Olive Pickle Company
The Mount Olive Pickle Company is an American food processing company located in Mount Olive, North Carolina. The company's primary product is pickled cucumbers, but it is also a large supplier of mixed pickle, relish and other pickled products....
, Butterball
Butterball
Butterball is a brand of turkey and other poultry products produced by Butterball LLC. The company manufactures food products in the United States and internationally — specializing in turkey, cured deli meats, raw roasts and specialty products such as soups and salads, sandwiches, and...
,http://www.butterball.com/media_release/the-best-of-all-is-butterballsupregsup and Mount Olive College
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive College is a private liberal arts college located in Mount Olive, North Carolina. Founded in 1951, the college is supported by the Original Free Will Baptist Convention of North Carolina...
.
Geography
Mount Olive is located at 35°11′42"N 78°4′3"W (35.195086, -78.067528).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 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all land.
Mount Olive is part of the Coastal Plain
Atlantic Coastal Plain
The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending from the New York Bight southward to a Georgia/Florida section of the Eastern Continental Divide, which demarcates the plain from the ACF River Basin in the Gulf Coastal Plain to...
region.
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 4,567 people, 1,770 households, and 1,125 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 1,819.3 people per square mile (702.5/km²). There were 2,012 housing units at an average density of 801.5 per square mile (309.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 82.98% White, 12.30% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.34% 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 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.17% of the population.
There were 1,770 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% 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, 22.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the town the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 77.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,984, and the median income for a family was $31,176. Males had a median income of $26,814 versus $19,224 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 $12,184. About 16.4% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 21.6% of those age 65 or over.
As of 2006 many residents are of Mexican descent. Many are illegal immigrants.
Pickles
The Mt. Olive Pickle Company, established in 1926, is located appropriately enough on the corner of Cucumber and Vine streets.The Mount Olive Pickle Festival is held the last full weekend of April each year. The annual celebration is put on by both the community of Mount Olive and the Mount Olive Pickle Company.
On New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
, the Mount Olive pickle company celebrates in unusual fashion by dropping a three-foot pickle down a flagpole into a pickle tank. However, instead of midnight local time, the drop takes place at 7 p.m. The event first took place on New Year's Eve 1999.
Education
Education in Mount Olive is administered by the Wayne County Public School system. Schools located in the town include Carver Elementary School and Mount Olive Middle School. On the outskirts of town is Southern Wayne High School in Dudley, North Carolina. Higher education is offered through Wayne Community CollegeWayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a community college located in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It currently consists of nine buildings, with a campus area of over 287,000 square feet . Over 14,000 curriculum and extension students are enrolled at the college per year.Wayne Early/Middle College High School is...
in Goldsboro
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
and the private, liberal arts institution Mount Olive College
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive College is a private liberal arts college located in Mount Olive, North Carolina. Founded in 1951, the college is supported by the Original Free Will Baptist Convention of North Carolina...
.
Passenger
- Air: Mount Olive is served through nearby Kinston Regional JetportKinston Regional JetportKinston Regional Jetport , also known as Stallings Field, is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Kinston, a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, USA. The airport has a single runway that is one of the longest in the southeastern United States. It...
with service to Orlando, FloridaOrlando, FloridaOrlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
. Raleigh-Durham International AirportRaleigh-Durham International AirportRaleigh-Durham International Airport is a public international airport located 4.5 miles northeast of the town of Morrisville in suburban Wake County, North Carolina, United States. The airport covers and operates three runways, providing direct service to 40 domestic and international...
is the closest major airport with service to more than 45 domestic and international destinations. Goldsboro-Wayne Municipal AirportGoldsboro-Wayne Municipal AirportGoldsboro-Wayne Municipal Airport is a public airport located three miles north of the central business district of Goldsboro, in Wayne County, North Carolina, USA. This general aviation airport covers and has one runway. It is owned by the city of Goldsboro and Wayne County....
is an airport located nearby, but is only used for general aviation. - Interstate Highway: I-40Interstate 40Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
is the closest Interstate to Mount Olive, which is located 9 miles south near FaisonFaison, North CarolinaFaison is a town in Duplin and Sampson counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The population was 744 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Faison is located at ....
. - Mount Olive is not served directly by passenger trains. The closest AmtrakAmtrakThe National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
station is located in Selma. - Bus: The area is served by GreyhoundGreyhound LinesGreyhound Lines, Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is an intercity common carrier of passengers by bus serving over 3,700 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, operating under the well-known logo of a leaping greyhound. It was founded in Hibbing, Minnesota, USA, in 1914 and...
with a location in nearby Goldsboro.
Roads
- The main highways in Mount Olive are US 117U.S. Route 117U.S. Route 117 was a north–south US Highway that ran for from Norlina, North Carolina to Virginia. Established in 1927, US 117 traveled from Norlina, through the towns of Warrenton, Roanoke Rapids, and Murfreesboro; from there it went north into Virginia. In 1932, US 117 was removed from this...
and NC 55.