Dudley, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dudley, North Carolina
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Post Office in Dudley
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 Dudley, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Dudley, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Wayne |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.76 sq mi (7.16 km2) |
| • Land | 2.76 sq mi (7.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 184 ft (56 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 826 |
| • Density | 299.28/sq mi (115.56/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28333
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| Area code(s) | 919 and 984 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2812802 |
Dudley is a small community in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. It is about 9 miles south of Goldsboro. Dudley is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a special area the government uses for counting people. In 2020, 826 people lived there. Dudley is part of the larger Goldsboro area.
Contents
A Look at Dudley's Past
Dudley has an interesting history with two different towns sharing the same name.
Early Beginnings
The very first town named Dudley was located a few miles north of where it is today. It was started by Labon Lewis. He named it after his brother, Dudley Lewis, who had passed away. A post office opened in this first Dudley on January 13, 1840. Later, its name changed to Everettsville. This post office moved in 1849 and closed in 1866.
The Railroad Town
The Dudley we know today began around 1836 to 1840. It started as a camp for workers building the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. This time, the town was named after Governor Edward B. Dudley. He was important because he helped start the railroad. As the village grew, it got a train station and a place for passengers. Its own post office opened on February 3, 1850.
A Time of Change
In December 1862, during the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge, some buildings and train cars in Dudley were destroyed. This happened when the Union Army came through the area.
Dudley officially became an incorporated town in 1897. This meant it had its own local government. J. W. Hatch was elected as the town's first mayor. The town government worked for many years. However, over time, no more officials were elected. Because of this, Dudley stopped being an incorporated town.
Modern Growth
In 1973, a large company called Georgia Pacific Corporation opened a factory in Dudley. This factory is a big employer in the area. Today, it provides jobs for over 625 people.
Who Lives in Dudley?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 826 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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According to the 2020 census, 826 people live in Dudley. The community is made up of people from many different backgrounds. About 40% are Black or African American, and about 37% are Hispanic or Latino. White residents make up about 18% of the population.
Learning in Dudley
Kids in Dudley go to schools run by the Wayne County Public School system. Younger students attend Brogden Primary School and Brogden Middle School. Older students go to Southern Wayne High School.
For students who want to continue their education after high school, there are options nearby. Wayne Community College is in Goldsboro. Mount Olive College is in Mount Olive.
Getting Around Dudley
Dudley has several ways for people to travel to and from the area.
Travel by Air
If you need to fly, the closest big airport is Raleigh-Durham International Airport. It has flights to many places both in the U.S. and other countries. There's also a smaller airport nearby called Goldsboro-Wayne Municipal Airport. This airport is mostly used for private planes, not regular passenger flights.
Roads and Rails
Dudley is not directly served by passenger trains. The closest train station for Amtrak is in Selma. For bus travel, Greyhound has a station in nearby Goldsboro.
The main highway that goes through Dudley is US 117. The closest major interstate highway is I-795. It is about 9 miles north of Dudley, in Goldsboro.
Famous Faces from Dudley
Some notable people have come from Dudley:
- Cecil Exum – a former basketball player for the University of North Carolina and in Australia.
- Tim Pratt – a writer and poet known for science fiction and fantasy stories.
- Greg Warren – an American football player.
See also
In Spanish: Dudley (Carolina del Norte) para niños
