Williamston, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williamston, North Carolina
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Washington Street
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| Motto(s):
"Easy Living with Hometown Values"
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Location of Williamston, North Carolina
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | North Carolina | ||
| County | Martin | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 4.51 sq mi (11.68 km2) | ||
| • Land | 4.51 sq mi (11.68 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,248 | ||
| • Density | 1,163.38/sq mi (449.14/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
27892
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| Area code(s) | 252 | ||
| FIPS code | 37-74220 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2406889 | ||
Williamston is a town located in North Carolina, United States. It is the main town, or county seat, of Martin County. In 2020, about 5,248 people lived there. Williamston is part of North Carolina's Inner Banks region, which is an area away from the coast. The city of Greenville is about 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Williamston.
Contents
History of Williamston
Williamston was started in 1779. It was named after Williams William, who was a local military leader during the American Revolution.
Civil Rights Movement
In the 1960s, Williamston was an important place for the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to make sure all people, no matter their race, had equal rights. Starting in June 1963, people protested at City Hall for 29 days in a row. These protests were led by Golden Frinks. They wanted fair treatment for everyone.
During this time, a group called the Ku Klux Klan was active in the area. They held a large meeting in Williamston in October 1963. Even with challenges, activists kept working for change.
Healthcare in Williamston
In August 2023, Martin General Hospital in Williamston announced it would close. The company that ran the hospital faced financial difficulties. The hospital also had fewer patients because some people chose to go to other hospitals.
After the hospital closed, former employees held a protest. They wanted to get the attention of leaders to help reopen the hospital. North Carolina's Governor, Roy Cooper, visited Williamston to talk about healthcare in rural areas. He used the hospital's closure to show why it was important to expand healthcare programs across the state. In October, four more clinics in Williamston also closed, which made it harder for people to get medical care.
Geography of Williamston
Williamston covers about 3.7 square miles (9.6 square kilometers) of land. It is located right next to the Roanoke River.
Major roads that go through Williamston include US 13, US 17, and US 64. These roads connect Williamston to other towns and cities.
Climate in Williamston
Williamston has a mild climate. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are generally cool. The town gets a good amount of rain throughout the year. Snowfall is very rare.
| Climate data for Williamston, North Carolina, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1952–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
86 (30) |
89 (32) |
95 (35) |
97 (36) |
101 (38) |
101 (38) |
101 (38) |
100 (38) |
97 (36) |
86 (30) |
82 (28) |
101 (38) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 73.3 (22.9) |
75.0 (23.9) |
81.0 (27.2) |
86.3 (30.2) |
90.6 (32.6) |
94.7 (34.8) |
95.9 (35.5) |
94.5 (34.7) |
90.9 (32.7) |
86.0 (30.0) |
79.5 (26.4) |
74.0 (23.3) |
97.4 (36.3) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 51.8 (11.0) |
54.9 (12.7) |
62.0 (16.7) |
71.4 (21.9) |
78.2 (25.7) |
85.3 (29.6) |
88.5 (31.4) |
86.9 (30.5) |
81.8 (27.7) |
73.0 (22.8) |
63.1 (17.3) |
55.3 (12.9) |
71.0 (21.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 42.5 (5.8) |
45.2 (7.3) |
51.8 (11.0) |
60.8 (16.0) |
68.5 (20.3) |
76.3 (24.6) |
79.9 (26.6) |
78.4 (25.8) |
73.0 (22.8) |
62.6 (17.0) |
52.7 (11.5) |
45.8 (7.7) |
61.4 (16.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 33.1 (0.6) |
35.4 (1.9) |
41.7 (5.4) |
50.1 (10.1) |
58.8 (14.9) |
67.3 (19.6) |
71.4 (21.9) |
69.9 (21.1) |
64.3 (17.9) |
52.1 (11.2) |
42.2 (5.7) |
36.3 (2.4) |
51.9 (11.1) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 17.1 (−8.3) |
21.6 (−5.8) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
35.0 (1.7) |
45.0 (7.2) |
54.5 (12.5) |
62.0 (16.7) |
60.0 (15.6) |
51.8 (11.0) |
36.9 (2.7) |
27.1 (−2.7) |
23.0 (−5.0) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −3 (−19) |
8 (−13) |
7 (−14) |
24 (−4) |
34 (1) |
45 (7) |
51 (11) |
49 (9) |
40 (4) |
22 (−6) |
20 (−7) |
4 (−16) |
−3 (−19) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.69 (94) |
3.22 (82) |
4.13 (105) |
3.72 (94) |
3.69 (94) |
5.13 (130) |
5.75 (146) |
5.70 (145) |
6.92 (176) |
4.29 (109) |
3.39 (86) |
3.57 (91) |
53.20 (1,351) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
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) |
0.4 (1.0) |
0.5 (1.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 10.9 | 9.8 | 11.3 | 9.9 | 10.4 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 10.8 | 10.3 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 10.9 | 122.3 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
People of Williamston
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 616 | — | |
| 1870 | 520 | −15.6% | |
| 1880 | 482 | −7.3% | |
| 1890 | 751 | 55.8% | |
| 1900 | 912 | 21.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,574 | 72.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,800 | 14.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,781 | 54.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,966 | 42.6% | |
| 1950 | 4,975 | 25.4% | |
| 1960 | 6,924 | 39.2% | |
| 1970 | 6,570 | −5.1% | |
| 1980 | 6,159 | −6.3% | |
| 1990 | 5,503 | −10.7% | |
| 2000 | 5,843 | 6.2% | |
| 2010 | 5,511 | −5.7% | |
| 2020 | 5,248 | −4.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Williamston has changed over the years. In 2020, there were 5,248 people living in the town. These people made up 2,274 households and 1,388 families.
Who Lives in Williamston?
The 2020 United States census showed the different groups of people living in Williamston.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (not Hispanic) | 1,638 | 31.21% |
| Black or African American (not Hispanic) | 3,234 | 61.62% |
| Native American | 23 | 0.44% |
| Asian | 60 | 1.14% |
| Other/Mixed | 147 | 2.8% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 146 | 2.78% |
Fun Things to Do in Williamston
Williamston is known for its love of horses and horse-related activities. The town's logo even features a horse!
Senator Bob Martin Agricultural Center
Williamston is home to one of the biggest agricultural centers in Eastern North Carolina. It's called The Senator Bob Martin Agricultural Center. Many exciting events happen here, like horse shows, rodeos, tractor pulls, and even monster truck shows.
Carolina Country Stampede
Every September, Williamston hosts the "Carolina Country Stampede." This is a two-day festival that brings thousands of people to the town. You can find local food, different sellers, and listen to bands. A famous band usually performs at the end of the festival. For example, Emerson Drive played in 2017.
Schools and Learning
Williamston is part of the Martin County Schools system. This public school district serves the entire county.
Schools in Williamston
Here are the schools in the Williamston area:
- Williamston Primary School: For students in grades Pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade.
- E.J Hayes Elementary School: For students in grades 3rd to 5th grade.
- Riverside Middle School: For students in grades 6th to 8th grade.
- Martin County High School: For students in grades 9th to 12th grade.
Martin Community College
Williamston also has Martin Community College. This is a public community college that offers different programs. It's special because it has its own program for equine health, which means studying how to care for horses.
Town Services
Williamston has important services to keep its residents safe and healthy.
Emergency Services
The Williamston Fire Rescue EMS team responds to about 2,500 calls each year. These calls can be for fires, rescues, medical emergencies, or hazardous materials. The team covers an area of about 122 square miles (316 square kilometers). It has 19 full-time members and about 37 volunteers who help out.
Famous People from Williamston
Many notable people have come from Williamston:
- Asa Biggs: A U.S. congressman and a United States federal judge.
- Tillie Ehringhaus: She was the First Lady of North Carolina.
- William E. Ingram, Jr.: He used to be the director of the Army National Guard.
- Gaylord Perry: A famous Major League Baseball pitcher and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
- Jim Perry: Also a Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Sarah J. C. Whittlesey: An author, poet, and hymn writer from the 1800s.
See also
In Spanish: Williamston (Carolina del Norte) para niños
