New Bern, North Carolina
Encyclopedia : N : NE : NEW : New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a town in Craven County, North Carolina where the Trent River and the Neuse River converge, 87 miles (140 km) northeast of Wilmington. In 1900, 9,090 people lived in New Bern, North Carolina; in 1910, 9,961; in 1920, 12,198; and in 1940, 11,815. The population was 23,128 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Craven County[Geographic references#6GR6]. New Bern is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.
History
New Bern was founded by the Swiss in 1710 under the leadership of Christoph von Graffenried, and is named after the capital of Switzerland, Bern. The first permanent seat of the colonial government of North Carolina was located in New Bern. Following the American Revolutionary War, Tryon Palace http://www.tryonpalace.org/, former home of British governor William Tryon, became the original Capitol of newly-independent state North Carolina, as it remained until the 1790s.New Bern was the site of a battle early in the American Civil War in which it was captured and occupied by Union forces.
New Bern is also known as the birthplace of Pepsi Cola, which was invented by New Bern pharmacist Caleb Bradham.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.9 km² (27.0 mi²). 66.9 km² (25.8 mi²) of it is land and 3.0 km² (1.2 mi²) of it (4.30%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 23,128 people, 10,006 households, and 6,183 families residing in the city. The population density was 345.7/km² (895.5/mi²). There were 11,094 housing units at an average density of 165.8/km² (429.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 55.96% White, 40.32% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population.There were 10,006 households out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.85.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,139, and the median income for a family was $38,990. Males had a median income of $28,720 versus $21,687 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,499. About 14.7% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
Colleges, Schools, and Universities
Trivia
- The town is the location of most of the action in the novel The Notebook. In the film adaptation, the culture and settings of the novel were replicated as a fictional town in South Carolina.
External links
- [Official web site of New Bern, NC]
- [New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce]
- [Craven County Convention and Visitor's Bureau]
- [Christoph von Graffenried's account of the founding of New Bern]
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