Weldon, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weldon, North Carolina
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Southbound on Washington Avenue between Second and Third Streets.
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Location of Weldon, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Halifax |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.92 sq mi (7.55 km2) |
| • Land | 2.92 sq mi (7.55 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,444 |
| • Density | 495.20/sq mi (191.20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
27890
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| Area code(s) | 252 |
| FIPS code | 37-71780 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406855 |
Weldon is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,655 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
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In 1752, Daniel Weldon purchased 1,273 acres of land on the Roanoke River. His plantation became known as Weldon's Landing. As it was just below the fall line, Weldon's Landing was the westernmost point of navigation along the Roanoke.
The Roanoke Canal was built in 1823 to bypass the rapids and open up trade to Virginia. The aqueduct across Chockoyotte creek was built near Weldon's Landing, bringing an economic boom to the area. The canal is now dry, and is a hiking trail open to the public.
Weldon was the first railroad hub in the American South. The Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad terminated in Weldon. In 1841, the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was completed, also terminating in Weldon. At the time, it was the longest railroad in the world. This led to the incorporation of the town in 1843.
The Petersburg and Roanoke Railroad in 1848 and the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad in 1853 both extended to terminate in Weldon.
During the Civil War, both railroad bridges over the Roanoke were burned. Only the Seaboard and Roanoke rebuilt their bridge.
Grace Episcopal Church and the Weldon Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography
Weldon is located in northern Halifax County and is bordered to the west by Roanoke Rapids, the county's largest community, and to the north by Northampton County, across the Roanoke River.
U.S. Route 301 passes through the town, leading south 38 miles (61 km) to Rocky Mount and north 19 miles (31 km) to Emporia, Virginia. U.S. Route 158 runs east–west through the town, connecting the downtown area with Interstate 95 at the town's western border. US 158 leads east 29 miles (47 km) to Murfreesboro and west 4 miles (6 km) into the southern part of Roanoke Rapids. Interstate 95 leads north to Emporia and south to Rocky Mount, providing a highway alternative to US 301.
Located on the Roanoke River, Weldon calls itself the "Rockfish Capital of the World" due to abundant fishing during the May spawning season.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.4 km2), all land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 208 | — | |
| 1880 | 932 | 348.1% | |
| 1890 | 1,286 | 38.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,433 | 11.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,999 | 39.5% | |
| 1920 | 1,872 | −6.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,323 | 24.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,341 | 0.8% | |
| 1950 | 2,295 | −2.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,165 | −5.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,304 | 6.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,844 | −20.0% | |
| 1990 | 1,392 | −24.5% | |
| 2000 | 1,374 | −1.3% | |
| 2010 | 1,655 | 20.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,444 | −12.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 307 | 21.26% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 1,053 | 72.92% |
| Native American | 11 | 0.76% |
| Asian | 2 | 0.14% |
| Pacific Islander | 2 | 0.14% |
| Other/Mixed | 42 | 2.91% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 27 | 1.87% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,444 people, 656 households, and 472 families residing in the town.
Notable people
- Colonel Samuel Weldon Revolutionary War
- Kentwan Balmer, NFL defensive end
- King V. Cheek, lifelong educator
- Cedric Jones, former NFL wide receiver for the New England Patriots
- Jackie Mason, comedian
- Gentry O. Smith, American foreign service officer
- Jimmy Soul, vocalist
- Benjamin S. Turner, businessman and politician
- Garland H. White, preacher and politician
Education
The local education agency in Weldon is Weldon City Schools. In addition to an elementary school, middle school and Weldon High School, the city is home to Roanoke Valley Early college.
See also
In Spanish: Weldon (Carolina del Norte) para niños
