New London, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New London, North Carolina
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Location of New London, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Stanly |
| Founded | 1830 |
| Incorporated | March 25, 1891 |
| Named for | An English mining company |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.98 sq mi (5.12 km2) |
| • Land | 1.98 sq mi (5.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 666 ft (203 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 607 |
| • Density | 307.34/sq mi (118.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28127
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| Area code(s) | 704 |
| FIPS code | 37-46820 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406978 |
New London is a small town located in Stanly County, North Carolina, in the United States. In 2020, about 607 people lived there. It's found between the towns of Albemarle and Richfield, along U.S. 52. This area is part of the southern Piedmont region of the state. New London is about 45 miles (72 km) east-northeast of Charlotte. The town was once home to a gold mine that was active in the mid-1800s and early 1900s.
Contents
The Story of New London
New London started as a small community called Bilesville around 1830. It was named after Thomas "Uncle Tommy" Biles, who owned land and farmed in the area. At first, this land was part of Montgomery County. Later, in 1841, Stanly County was formed, and Bilesville became part of it.
Gold Mining and a New Name
Gold was discovered near Bilesville, close to where the first Carolina Gold Rush happened. The first gold mine opened in 1859. However, it closed during the Civil War. In the early 1870s, a company called New London & States Company bought the mine to reopen it. An executive from the company, W. A. Judd, suggested that the town change its name to New London, after the company. The people of Bilesville agreed, and the town was officially named New London.
On March 25, 1891, New London became an officially recognized town. The main gold mine, known as the Parker Mine, stopped operating in 1894. But other local businesses kept the town going. These included a cordage mill (making ropes), a lumber mill, a brick mill, and a livery stable (where horses were kept).
A Female Mayor
In 1923, a big event happened for New London. Less than three years after women gained the right to vote across the country, the town elected Mrs. T. V. Staton as their mayor. She was the first female mayor in New London and the first woman to serve in a town government position anywhere in North Carolina.
The gold mine reopened for a short time in 1934. During the 1920s and 1930s, New London also got modern services like telephone and electrical service. Paved roads and a state highway were also built. More recently, in 2002, the town completed its own sewer and water services.
Where is New London?
New London is a small town. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers about 0.6 square miles (1.55 square kilometers) of land. There is no water within the town's official boundaries.
Who Lives in New London?
The population of New London has changed over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 317 | — | |
| 1900 | 299 | −5.7% | |
| 1910 | 312 | 4.3% | |
| 1920 | 228 | −26.9% | |
| 1930 | 246 | 7.9% | |
| 1940 | 243 | −1.2% | |
| 1950 | 285 | 17.3% | |
| 1960 | 223 | −21.8% | |
| 1970 | 285 | 27.8% | |
| 1980 | 454 | 59.3% | |
| 1990 | 414 | −8.8% | |
| 2000 | 326 | −21.3% | |
| 2010 | 600 | 84.0% | |
| 2020 | 607 | 1.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
New London's Population in 2020
In 2020, the 2020 United States census counted 607 people living in New London. These people lived in 245 households, and 189 of those were families.
Here's a breakdown of the different groups of people living in New London in 2020:
| Group | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 510 | 84.02% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 35 | 5.77% |
| Native American | 2 | 0.33% |
| Asian | 26 | 4.28% |
| Other/Mixed | 22 | 3.62% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12 | 1.98% |
Getting Around New London
Several important roads pass through New London, making it easy to travel to and from the town.
- US 52: This highway runs through New London from the northwest to the south. It connects the town to Richfield in the north and Albemarle in the south.
- NC 8: This state highway starts in New London, near US 52. It follows Main Street north out of town.
- NC 740: This state highway also starts near US 52 in New London. It follows Gold Street east out of town and connects to the town of Badin.
Famous People from New London
New London has been home to several notable individuals, including:
- Chris Buescher (born 1992), a well-known NASCAR driver.
- Donald Byrd (born 1949), a modern dance choreographer.
- Rhett Lowder (born 2002), a Wake Forest University pitcher in baseball.
- Antonio Williams (born 1997), a Buffalo Bills running back in American football.
See also
In Spanish: New London para niños
