Goldston, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Goldston is a town in Chatham County
, North Carolina
, United States
. The population was 319 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
. The town is, also, home to several historic homes. The town is named for the Goldston family who founded the town.
that runs between Greensboro and Sanford. The railroad was historically been important to the growth of the town. The rail line was once part of the now defunct Southern Railway
and prior to that the Atlantic & Yadkin Railway and until a few years ago many older Southern marked freight gondolas could be found parked on a side track downtown and at the nearby old Pomona Clay pit. The Goldston area (actually Gulf
) is also an interconnection point for the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway
. Most of the rail traffic that comes through town is local freight traffic going back and forth from Sanford to Greensboro or freight going to AC&W. Most of this freight is composed of grain hopper cars going to local poultry feed mills. Norfolk Southern Right of Way Maintenance equipment and cars are also frequently parked on the side trackage in Goldston.
of 2010, there were 268 people, 144 households, and 121 occupied houses in the town. As of the census
of 2000, the population density
was 403.8 people per square mile (155.9/km²). There were 142 housing units at an average density of 179.8/sq mi (69.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.91% White, 6.58% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.63% from other races
, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.
There were 128 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.92.
As of the census
of 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $40,114 versus $22,188 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,485. About 8.9% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.
Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham County is a county located in the Piedmont area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 49,329. Its county seat is Pittsboro.-History:...
, 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 319 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Goldston is located at 35°35′33"N 79°19′47"W (35.592478, -79.329615).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 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land.
Historic features
The downtown business district is registered on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The town is, also, home to several historic homes. The town is named for the Goldston family who founded the town.
Business and industry
The town has always been a predominately rural town and most of the business and industry over the years has been centered around the area's agricultural heritage, mainly the poultry industry. The towns location near the railroad line has helped to keep industry going in the area, although in recent years the town has seen a decline in industry.Railroad
Goldston is located on a spur of the Norfolk Southern RailwayNorfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
that runs between Greensboro and Sanford. The railroad was historically been important to the growth of the town. The rail line was once part of the now defunct Southern Railway
Southern Railway (US)
The Southern Railway is a former United States railroad. It was the product of nearly 150 predecessor lines that were combined, reorganized and recombined beginning in the 1830s, formally becoming the Southern Railway in 1894...
and prior to that the Atlantic & Yadkin Railway and until a few years ago many older Southern marked freight gondolas could be found parked on a side track downtown and at the nearby old Pomona Clay pit. The Goldston area (actually Gulf
Gulf, North Carolina
Gulf is an unincorporated community in southwestern Chatham County, North Carolina, United States, south of the town of Goldston. It is located on the Deep River. The community is home to a general store and several historical homes. It received its name from its location, at a wide bend in the...
) is also an interconnection point for the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway
Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway
The was incorporated in 1987 and operates on a former Norfolk Southern Railway branch line, running from Aberdeen to Star, North Carolina. It also leases track from Norfolk Southern between Charlotte and Gulf, North Carolina. It serves approximately 18 industries, mainly dealing in forest and...
. Most of the rail traffic that comes through town is local freight traffic going back and forth from Sanford to Greensboro or freight going to AC&W. Most of this freight is composed of grain hopper cars going to local poultry feed mills. Norfolk Southern Right of Way Maintenance equipment and cars are also frequently parked on the side trackage in Goldston.
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 2010, there were 268 people, 144 households, and 121 occupied houses in the town. As of the census
Census
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, 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 403.8 people per square mile (155.9/km²). There were 142 housing units at an average density of 179.8/sq mi (69.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.91% White, 6.58% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.63% 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 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.
There were 128 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% 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, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% were non-families. 23.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.92.
As of the census
Census
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, the median income for a household in the town was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $40,114 versus $22,188 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 $18,485. About 8.9% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 20.8% of those age 65 or over.
Miscellaneous
- Although technically a town by incorporation standards, the town has no official town-employed police force. All law enforcement is handled by the Chatham County Sheriff's Office who operates a substation in the town.
- It is said that Charlie DanielsCharlie DanielsCharles Edward "Charlie" Daniels is an American musician known for his contributions to country and southern rock music. He is known primarily for his number one country hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", and multiple other songs he has performed and written. Daniels has been active as a singer...
lived near Goldston as a child. Many locals claim that much of his musical knowledge was inspired and taught by citizens of Goldston .