Four Oaks, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Four Oaks, North Carolina
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Barbours Grove Park
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| Motto(s):
Come Grow with Us
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 Four Oaks, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Four Oaks, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Johnston |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.45 sq mi (6.34 km2) |
| • Land | 2.44 sq mi (6.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2) |
| Elevation | 197 ft (60 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,158 |
| • Density | 884.06/sq mi (341.41/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
27524
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| Area code(s) | 919 |
| FIPS code | 37-24520 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406515 |
Four Oaks is a town located in Johnston County, North Carolina, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,158 people lived there. The town's motto is "Come Grow with Us."
Contents
History of Four Oaks
Four Oaks was one of many towns that grew up along a new part of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad. This railway line was finished through Johnston County in 1886.
How Four Oaks Got Its Name
The town got its name from four oak tree sprouts that were growing from an old tree stump. Four Oaks officially became a town in 1889. At that time, it had a post office, a public cotton gin, mills for sawing wood and grinding grain, a store, a church, and about 25 people. Farmers in the area grew a lot of cotton and tobacco.
Early Schools and Growth
A brick school for white students opened in 1923. By the 1930s, many smaller country schools joined together with this one. The school grew to have over 1,900 students. It was even called the world's "largest rural consolidated school." A separate elementary school for black students opened in 1928.
In 1907, street lights were put in, making the town brighter at night. By 1910, the population of Four Oaks had grown to 329 people.
Historic Buildings
The Four Oaks Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. This means its old buildings are important and protected.
Geography of Four Oaks
Four Oaks is in the middle part of Johnston County. It is southwest of Smithfield, which is the main town of the county. The town's edge reaches Holts Lake on Black Creek, which flows into the Neuse River.
Main Roads and Highways
U.S. Route 301 (also called Wellons Street) is the main road that goes through Four Oaks. It leads northeast about 7 miles (11 km) to Smithfield. It goes southwest about 8 miles (13 km) to Benson. Interstate 95 is a big highway that runs near the southeast side of Four Oaks. You can get onto Interstate 95 from Exit 87.
Town Size
The town of Four Oaks covers a total area of about 2.45 square miles (6.34 km2). Most of this area is land, with only a very small part, about 0.01 square miles (0.02 km2), being water.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 62 | — | |
| 1900 | 171 | 175.8% | |
| 1910 | 329 | 92.4% | |
| 1920 | 583 | 77.2% | |
| 1930 | 684 | 17.3% | |
| 1940 | 828 | 21.1% | |
| 1950 | 942 | 13.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,010 | 7.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,057 | 4.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,049 | −0.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,308 | 24.7% | |
| 2000 | 1,424 | 8.9% | |
| 2010 | 1,921 | 34.9% | |
| 2020 | 2,158 | 12.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,424 people living in Four Oaks. These people lived in 614 households, and 386 of these were families. The population density was about 1,341 people per square mile (518 people per km2).
People in Four Oaks
Most people in Four Oaks were White (78.23%), and about 16.22% were African American. A smaller number of people were Native American or Asian. About 7.65% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of age, about 24.6% of the people were under 18 years old. About 15.2% were 65 years old or older. The average age of people in the town was 37 years.
Historic District
The Four Oaks Commercial Historic District includes 29 buildings that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some of these buildings are designed in a special way called Mission Revival style. This district was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2006.
Arts and Culture
Four Oaks hosts the Acorn Festival. This festival has live entertainment, different kinds of vendors, and fun activities for children. There is also a barbecue cooking competition and a show for old cars and tractors.
Education
Students in Four Oaks attend these schools:
- Four Oaks Elementary School
- Four Oaks Middle School
- South Johnston High School
See also
In Spanish: Four Oaks (Carolina del Norte) para niños
