Richlands, North Carolina

Richlands is a town in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. The 2010 population was 1,520.[5] It is included in the Jacksonville, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Incorporated on March 29, 1880, it was the first town in Onslow County to have its own library and museum (home of the Onslow County Museum).[6] Richlands was also the first town in Onslow County to have a female mayor, Annette Hargett.[7]

Richlands
Town
Coordinates: 34°53′56″N 77°32′52″W
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Onslow
Area [1]
• Total	1.63 sq mi (4.23 km^2)
• Land	1.63 sq mi (4.23 km^2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km^2)
Elevation	59 ft (29 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	1,520
• Estimate  (2019)[2]	1,703
• Density	1,043.50/sq mi (402.92/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	28574
Area code(s)	910
FIPS code	37-56360[3]
GNIS feature ID	1022279[4]
Website	http://www.richlandsnc.gov/

History

A post office called Richlands has been in operation since 1806.[8] The town was so named on account of their rich soil.[9]

The Avirett-Stephens Plantation, Richlands Historic District, Taylor Farm, and Venters Farm Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[10]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²), all of it land.

Notable Businesses

Guy C. Wiggins Hardware has been around for over ninety years. The store is located at 103 W Hargett Street.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1890	198		—
1900	160		−19.2%
1910	445		178.1%
1920	548		23.1%
1930	503		−8.2%
1940	688		36.8%
1950	877		27.5%
1960	1,079		23.0%
1970	935		−13.3%
1980	825		−11.8%
1990	996		20.7%
2000	928		−6.8%
2010	1,520		63.8%
2019 (est.)	1,703	[2]	12.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 928 people, 399 households, and 244 families residing in the town. The population density was 781.1 people per square mile (301.1/km²). There were 424 housing units at an average density of 356.9 per square mile (137.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 71.44% White, 25.11% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.75% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.16% of the population.

There were 399 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,263, and the median income for a family was $31,667. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,615. About 23.1% of families and 24.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.8% of those under age 18 and 24.0% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

• Heritage Elementary School
• Richlands Elementary School
• Trexler Middle School
• Richlands High School
• Liberty Christian Academy

Farmer's Day

Farmer's Day was an annual celebration of Richlands' agrarian roots. Traditionally held on the first Saturday after Labor Day each year, the festival began in 1966 and ran for 50 years before ending in 2016. The celebration began in the morning with a parade through town and continued on the grounds of Richlands Primary School (now Heritage Elementary School). The day includes live music, local vendors, games, and food.[12]

Notable people

• Jeremy Hall – Army soldier, filed lawsuit against the DoD for religious discrimination
• Tyler Matthews, NASCAR driver
• Charlie Sanders – Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee; 1970s NFL All-Decade Team
• John Williams Shackelford – 19th-century U.S. Congressman
• Mario Williams – Number one overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, DE Buffalo Bills

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
5. Richlands, North Carolina
6. Onslow County Museum
7. Town of Richlands
8. "Onslow County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
9. Proffitt, Martie (Apr 17, 1983). "Local history offers tasty tidbits". Star-News. pp. 8C. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
10. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
12. Farmer's Day Promotional Information