Manteo, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manteo, North Carolina
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Reconstructed Roanoke Marshes Light on the waterfront of Manteo
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| Motto(s):
"Preserve • Prosper"
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Location in Dare County and the state of North Carolina
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | North Carolina | ||
| County | Dare | ||
| Founded | 1865 | ||
| Incorporated | 1899 | ||
| Named for | Manteo | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1.94 sq mi (5.02 km2) | ||
| • Land | 1.88 sq mi (4.86 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.15 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,600 | ||
| • Density | 852.42/sq mi (329.15/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
27954
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| Area code(s) | 252 | ||
| FIPS code | 37-41060 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0989291 | ||
Manteo is a small town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. It is located on Roanoke Island. In 2020, about 1,600 people lived there. Manteo is also the county seat of Dare County, which means it's where the main government offices for the county are located.
Contents
Where is Manteo Located?
Manteo is found in the north-central part of Roanoke Island. You can reach it from US Highway 158 at Whalebone Junction. This is where three important highways meet: NC Highways 158, 64, and 12.
The town covers a total area of about 1.94 square miles (5.02 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The History of Manteo
How Manteo Got Its Name
The town of Manteo is named after a Native American man called Manteo. He was a member of the Croatan tribe. In 1584, Manteo traveled to London, England, with another Native American named Wanchese. They went there to learn English and help the Roanoke Colony settlers talk with the local Native American tribes.
Manteo was very friendly with the English colonists, especially John White. He was even given the special title "Lord of Roanoke." This made him the first Native American to receive a title of nobility.
The Lost Colony Mystery
John White's daughter, Eleanor, married a man named Ananias Dare. Their daughter, Virginia Dare, was the first English child born in America. In 1587, John White returned to Roanoke Island. Manteo was still friendly to him. However, when White came back after a three-year delay in getting supplies from England, the colonists had disappeared. This event started the famous mystery known as "The Lost Colony."
Becoming a County Seat
Manteo became the main government center for Dare County in 1870. It officially became a town in 1899. Dare County itself is named after Virginia Dare.
Modern Developments
In 1999, a public radio station, WUNC, began broadcasting in Manteo. This helped bring public radio to a large area on the East Coast of the United States that didn't have it before.
In 2005, the town restored its coastal warning display tower. This tower is now run by the Manteo branch of the North Carolina Maritime Museum. It helps warn boats about bad weather.
Several historic buildings in Manteo are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the George Washington Creef House, the John T. Daniels House, the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and the Theodore S. Meekins House.
Manteo's Climate
Manteo has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has long, hot summers and short, cool winters. It rains a lot throughout the year, but snow is rare.
| Climate data for Manteo, North Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1966–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) |
81 (27) |
87 (31) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
101 (38) |
101 (38) |
101 (38) |
96 (36) |
93 (34) |
84 (29) |
81 (27) |
101 (38) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 50.7 (10.4) |
52.5 (11.4) |
58.6 (14.8) |
67.9 (19.9) |
74.8 (23.8) |
82.2 (27.9) |
85.8 (29.9) |
84.2 (29.0) |
79.3 (26.3) |
71.4 (21.9) |
61.4 (16.3) |
54.9 (12.7) |
68.6 (20.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 43.1 (6.2) |
44.9 (7.2) |
50.6 (10.3) |
59.6 (15.3) |
67.4 (19.7) |
75.5 (24.2) |
79.6 (26.4) |
78.2 (25.7) |
73.9 (23.3) |
64.8 (18.2) |
54.5 (12.5) |
47.5 (8.6) |
61.6 (16.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 35.6 (2.0) |
37.3 (2.9) |
42.7 (5.9) |
51.4 (10.8) |
60.0 (15.6) |
68.9 (20.5) |
73.4 (23.0) |
72.3 (22.4) |
68.5 (20.3) |
58.2 (14.6) |
47.6 (8.7) |
40.2 (4.6) |
54.7 (12.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −2 (−19) |
10 (−12) |
10 (−12) |
23 (−5) |
34 (1) |
44 (7) |
45 (7) |
54 (12) |
46 (8) |
34 (1) |
25 (−4) |
16 (−9) |
−2 (−19) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.78 (96) |
3.16 (80) |
3.80 (97) |
2.93 (74) |
3.52 (89) |
4.46 (113) |
5.26 (134) |
5.64 (143) |
4.54 (115) |
3.24 (82) |
2.88 (73) |
3.34 (85) |
46.55 (1,182) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.7 (1.8) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
1.1 (2.8) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.6 | 7.6 | 8.1 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 8.9 | 8.1 | 6.5 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 86.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People of Manteo
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 571 | — | |
| 1950 | 635 | 11.2% | |
| 1960 | 587 | −7.6% | |
| 1970 | 547 | −6.8% | |
| 1980 | 902 | 64.9% | |
| 1990 | 991 | 9.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,052 | 6.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,434 | 36.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,602 | 11.7% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 1,625 | 13.3% | |
| sources: | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, there were 1,600 people living in Manteo. These people lived in 865 households, and 491 of those were families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 1,326 | 82.88% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 74 | 4.63% |
| Native American | 6 | 0.38% |
| Asian | 8 | 0.5% |
| Other/Mixed | 50 | 3.13% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 136 | 8.5% |
Population in 2010
In 2010, Manteo had 1,434 people. About 84.7% of the people were White, and 8.4% were African American. About 9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Manteo was 42.8 years old. About 22.5% of the population was 19 years old or younger.
Sister Cities
Manteo has special connections with two other towns:
- Bideford, England: The town once thought it was twinned with Bideford in England. This was based on an old, informal meeting.
- Youghal, Ireland: Manteo has been officially twinned with Youghal, County Cork, Ireland since July 4, 2006.
Fun Festivals and Events
Manteo hosts several exciting events each year:
- Dare Day: This is an annual celebration for everyone in Dare County. It's free and open to all. You can enjoy entertainment, food, and shopping. It happens on the first Saturday of June.
- The New World Festival of the Arts: This two-day outdoor art show takes place on the Manteo waterfront. Over 80 artists show and sell their amazing artwork. It has been held for over 23 years.
- Pirate's Cove Billfish Tournament: This big fishing tournament happens every year in mid-August. Fishing teams and boats come from all over the world to compete.
Schools and Learning
Manteo is part of the Dare County Schools district. The local schools are Manteo Elementary School, Manteo Middle School, and Manteo High School.
The Dare County Library also has a branch located in Manteo, where you can find books and other resources.
Famous People from Manteo
Some notable people have lived in or are from Manteo:
- George Ackles: A professional basketball player.
- Marc Basnight: A former Democratic member of the North Carolina State Senate.
- Emanuel Davis: A defensive back in the Canadian Football League.
- Andy Griffith: A famous actor, comedian, and writer. He lived in Manteo for many years before he passed away in 2012.
- Mabel Evans Jones: An educator.
- William Ivey Long: A costume designer for plays and movies.
See also
In Spanish: Manteo (Carolina del Norte) para niños
