Goldston, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Goldston, North Carolina
|
|
|---|---|
Commercial buildings along North Main Street
|
|
Location of Goldston, North Carolina
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Chatham |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.83 sq mi (2.16 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.15 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 417 ft (127 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 234 |
| • Density | 282.27/sq mi (109.03/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
27252
|
| Area code(s) | 919 |
| FIPS code | 37-26920 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406585 |
Goldston is a small town in Chatham County, North Carolina. It is located south of Pittsboro. In 2020, about 234 people lived there. The town gets its name from the Goldston family, who founded it.
Contents
Exploring Goldston's Location
Goldston is in the southern part of Chatham County. A major road, U.S. Route 421, runs northeast of the town. This road is an expressway with four lanes. You can get to Goldston from Exit 159.
Travel Distances from Goldston
- US 421 goes southeast about 12 miles to Sanford.
- It goes northwest about 44 miles to Greensboro.
- Using smaller roads, it's about 13 miles northeast to Pittsboro. Pittsboro is the main town for Chatham County.
Land and Water in Goldston
The United States Census Bureau says Goldston covers about 0.83 square miles (2.1 square kilometers). A very small part of this, about 0.01 square miles, is water.
Goldston's Historic Places
Goldston has several important historic sites. These places help tell the story of the town's past.
Historic Buildings and Districts
- The Goldston Commercial Historic District is a special area. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized for its historical importance.
- The town is also home to two historic houses. These are the Paschal-Womble House and the William Alston Rives House.
Businesses and Jobs in Goldston
Goldston has always been a mostly rural area. This means that most businesses and jobs have been connected to farming. The poultry industry, which raises chickens and other birds, has been very important here.
Local Businesses and Industry
The town's location near a railroad line helped keep industries going. However, in recent years, the town has seen fewer industries. Today, Goldston has a Dollar General store. There are also two restaurants, called Lizzie's and Rufus's.
The Railroad's Role in Goldston
Goldston is on a special branch line of the Norfolk Southern Railway. This railway connects Greensboro and Sanford. The railroad was very important for the town's growth in the past.
Railroad History and Traffic
- This rail line used to be part of the Southern Railway. Before that, it was the Atlantic & Yadkin Railway.
- Most of the trains that come through Goldston carry local freight. This freight travels between Sanford and Greensboro.
- Some freight also goes to the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway. This railway connects about 4 miles southeast of Goldston in Gulf.
- Much of the freight includes grain hopper cars. These cars carry grain to local poultry feed mills.
- You can often see Norfolk Southern equipment parked on the side tracks in Goldston.
Goldston's Population Over Time
The number of people living in Goldston has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population counts from different censuses:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 240 | — | |
| 1920 | 289 | 20.4% | |
| 1930 | 312 | 8.0% | |
| 1940 | 416 | 33.3% | |
| 1950 | 372 | −10.6% | |
| 1960 | 374 | 0.5% | |
| 1970 | 364 | −2.7% | |
| 1980 | 353 | −3.0% | |
| 1990 | 299 | −15.3% | |
| 2000 | 319 | 6.7% | |
| 2010 | 268 | −16.0% | |
| 2020 | 234 | −12.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Goldston?
In 2010, there were 268 people living in Goldston. These people lived in 144 households. Most of the houses, 121, were occupied.
- About 90.91% of the people were White.
- About 6.58% were African American.
- A small number were Native American or from other races.
- About 3.45% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Interesting Facts About Goldston
- Even though Goldston is called a town, it does not have its own police force. The Chatham County Sheriff's Office handles all law enforcement. They have a small office in Goldston.
- Famous country singer Charlie Daniels lived near Goldston when he was a child. He graduated from Goldston High School in 1955. The high school building is no longer there.
