Southport, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Southport is a city in Brunswick County
, North Carolina
, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River
. It is part of the Wilmington
Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its population was listed as 2,351 for the 2000 census.
A popular filming location for television and movies, the small town can be seen in the television show "Dawson's Creek
" and the movies "I Know What You Did Last Summer
", "Summer Catch
", "Domestic Disturbance
", "Crimes of the Heart
", "Nights in Rodanthe
" and "A Walk to Remember", among others.
Southport hosts a Fourth of July festival of North Carolina. Every year vendors from all around the country travel to Southport for four days of fun and excitement downtown.
It is the site of the proposed North Carolina International Port
, and its Southport Marina has been the subject of media attention surrounding its possible sale.
, British settlements along the Carolina coast lacked fortifications to protect them against pirates and privateers, and numerous Spanish attackers exploited this weakness. In response to these attacks, Governor Gabriel Johnston
in 1744 appointed a committee to select the best location to construct a fort for the defense of the Cape Fear River region. France meanwhile declared King George's War
against Britain in 1744. The Governor of South Carolina agreed to lend ten small cannons for the fort. Facing increasingly bold Spanish privateer raids, the General Assembly of North Carolina colony in April 1745 authorized the construction of "Johnston's Fort" near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. In spring 1748, the legislature appropriated 2000 pounds for construction costs, and people finally began building Fort Johnston. Southport developed around Fort Johnston and was originally named Smithville.
From 1808 to 1977, Smithville, renamed Southport in 1887, was the county seat of Brunswick County
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²).2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.77%) is water.
of 2000, there were 2,351 people, 1,095 households, and 676 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,059.0 people per square mile (408.9/km²). There were 1,292 housing units at an average density of 582.0 per square mile (224.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.61% White, 21.78% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races
, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.
There were 1,095 households out of which 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.65.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,714, and the median income for a family was $45,714. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $22,857 for females.
The per capita income
for the city was $23,059. About 7.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
The Southport Marina is a public small boat harbor owned by the North Carolina State Ports Authority
. It is operated under a long-term lease by Southport Marina, Inc.
The marina made statewide news
when it was announced that the State Ports Authority would put it up for sale, causing an uproar among the town's residents, who were concerned that development was spoiling the town's "fishing village charm." Former North Carolina Governor Mike Easley
, himself a resident of Southport, quickly reversed the decision and declared that the State Ports Authority would continue to own the marina.
The town
's government
pursued a purchase of the marina
to preserve it from a future sale to private developers, but the state retained ownership of the marina and approved a lease
for the facility to a new ownership group, Southport Marina, Inc., which has invested in significant repairs and upgrades to the facility.
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...
, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River
Cape Fear River
The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river in east central North Carolina in the United States. It flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear, from which it takes its name. The overall water quality of the river is continuously measured and monitored by and conducted by the , , and the...
. It 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. Its population was listed as 2,351 for the 2000 census.
A popular filming location for television and movies, the small town can be seen in the television show "Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series which debuted on January 20, 1998, on The WB Television Network and was produced by Sony Pictures Television. The show is set in the fictional seaside town of Capeside, Massachusetts, and in Boston, Massachusetts, during the later seasons...
" and the movies "I Know What You Did Last Summer
I Know What You Did Last Summer
I Know What You Did Last Summer is a 1997 American horror film. The film stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Freddie Prinze Jr. The screenplay was written by Kevin Williamson, writer of Scream, and very loosely based on Lois Duncan's popular novel of the same title...
", "Summer Catch
Summer Catch
Summer Catch is a 2001 romantic comedy film starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Jessica Biel, and Matthew Lillard. The story takes place on Cape Cod, but the majority of the film was shot in Southport, North Carolina.-Plot:...
", "Domestic Disturbance
Domestic Disturbance
Domestic Disturbance is a 2001 thriller film directed by Harold Becker and stars John Travolta and Vince Vaughn. It co-stars Teri Polo, Matt O'Leary and Steve Buscemi.-Plot:...
", "Crimes of the Heart
Crimes of the Heart (film)
Crimes of the Heart is a 1986 American black comedy film directed by Bruce Beresford. The screenplay by Beth Henley is adapted from her Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.-Plot:...
", "Nights in Rodanthe
Nights in Rodanthe
Nights in Rodanthe is a 2008 American/Australian film adaptation of the novel with the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane in their third screen collaboration after Unfaithful and The Cotton Club . The film is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for "some sensuality" and...
" and "A Walk to Remember", among others.
Southport hosts a Fourth of July festival of North Carolina. Every year vendors from all around the country travel to Southport for four days of fun and excitement downtown.
It is the site of the proposed North Carolina International Port
North Carolina International Port
In early 2006 the North Carolina State Ports Authority conceived its proposal for a North Carolina International Terminal to be created on property that it purchased just north of the town of Southport, NC between the Progress Energy Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant and the Sunny Point Military...
, and its Southport Marina has been the subject of media attention surrounding its possible sale.
History
The Southport area was explored as early as the 1500s by Spanish explorers. Before the construction of Fort JohnstonFort Johnston (North Carolina)
Fort Johnston was a United States Army post in Brunswick County, North Carolina on Moore Street near Southport, North Carolina. It stands on the west bank of the Cape Fear River, four miles above its mouth.-Colonial:...
, British settlements along the Carolina coast lacked fortifications to protect them against pirates and privateers, and numerous Spanish attackers exploited this weakness. In response to these attacks, Governor Gabriel Johnston
Gabriel Johnston
Gabriel Johnston was the colonial governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752, the longest-serving governor in state history.- External links :*...
in 1744 appointed a committee to select the best location to construct a fort for the defense of the Cape Fear River region. France meanwhile declared King George's War
King George's War
King George's War is the name given to the operations in North America that formed part of the War of the Austrian Succession . It was the third of the four French and Indian Wars. It took place primarily in the British provinces of New York, Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia...
against Britain in 1744. The Governor of South Carolina agreed to lend ten small cannons for the fort. Facing increasingly bold Spanish privateer raids, the General Assembly of North Carolina colony in April 1745 authorized the construction of "Johnston's Fort" near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. In spring 1748, the legislature appropriated 2000 pounds for construction costs, and people finally began building Fort Johnston. Southport developed around Fort Johnston and was originally named Smithville.
From 1808 to 1977, Smithville, renamed Southport in 1887, was the county seat of Brunswick County
Brunswick County, North Carolina
-External links:*******....
.
Geography
Southport is located at 33°55′28"N 78°1′14"W (33.924484, -78.020513).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 city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6 km²).2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (1.77%) 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 2,351 people, 1,095 households, and 676 families residing in the city. 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 1,059.0 people per square mile (408.9/km²). There were 1,292 housing units at an average density of 582.0 per square mile (224.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.61% White, 21.78% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.21% 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 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.
There were 1,095 households out of which 19.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% 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, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.65.
In the city the population was spread out with 17.9% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 21.0% from 25 to 44, 31.0% from 45 to 64, and 24.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,714, and the median income for a family was $45,714. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $22,857 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 city was $23,059. About 7.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.
Marinas
Deep Point Marina located near Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry is the new hub for the Bald Head Island Ferry.The Southport Marina is a public small boat harbor owned by the North Carolina State Ports Authority
North Carolina State Ports Authority
The North Carolina State Ports Authority is an authority set up by the state of North Carolina to develop and operate seaports in Wilmington and Morehead City, two inland container facilities, one in Charlotte and one in Greensboro, and a marina in Southport. It is planning a large international...
. It is operated under a long-term lease by Southport Marina, Inc.
The marina made statewide news
News
News is the communication of selected information on current events which is presented by print, broadcast, Internet, or word of mouth to a third party or mass audience.- Etymology :...
when it was announced that the State Ports Authority would put it up for sale, causing an uproar among the town's residents, who were concerned that development was spoiling the town's "fishing village charm." Former North Carolina Governor Mike Easley
Mike Easley
Michael Francis "Mike" Easley is an American politician who served as the 72nd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy...
, himself a resident of Southport, quickly reversed the decision and declared that the State Ports Authority would continue to own the marina.
The town
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...
's government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
pursued a purchase of the marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
to preserve it from a future sale to private developers, but the state retained ownership of the marina and approved a lease
Lease
A lease is a contractual arrangement calling for the lessee to pay the lessor for use of an asset. A rental agreement is a lease in which the asset is tangible property...
for the facility to a new ownership group, Southport Marina, Inc., which has invested in significant repairs and upgrades to the facility.
External links
- Southport, NC City Guide
- Southport, NC InsiderInfo Guide
- Official website of Southport, NC
- Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce
- N.C. State Ports Authority
- Brunswick County Tourism Development Authority
- Southport Marina, Inc.
- Southport Marina: Innovative Design — By Land and Sea, Metro Magazine
- State OK's Marina Lease, The News & ObserverThe News & ObserverThe News & Observer is the regional daily newspaper of the Research Triangle area of the U.S. State of North Carolina. The N&O, as it is popularly called, is based in Raleigh and also covers Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The paper also has substantial readership in most of the state east of...
- City Offers $6 million For Marina, The State Port PilotThe State Port PilotThe State Port Pilot is a weekly newspaper based in Southport, North Carolina. It was founded in 1928 by Bill Keziah and has been owned and operated by the Harper family since the Great Depression. It covers the towns of Southport, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, Boiling Spring Lakes, Bald Head...