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Coordinates: 35°23′59″N 79°46′00″W / 35.399756°N 79.766613°W / 35.399756; -79.766613
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Star, North Carolina
|official_name = Star, North Carolina
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<!-- Images -->
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline = Star water tower.jpg
|image_skyline = Star, North Carolina.jpg
|imagesize =
|imagesize =
|image_caption = The water tower in Star
|image_caption = Main Street
|image_flag =
|image_flag =
|image_seal =
|image_seal =
Line 21: Line 22:


<!-- Location -->
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Carolina]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Carolina]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
Line 30: Line 31:
|government_type =
|government_type =
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name = Mary O'Brien
|leader_name = Bill Hudson
|leader_title1 =
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|leader_name1 =
Line 37: Line 38:


<!-- Area -->
<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref = Imperial
|unit_pref = Imperial
|area_footnotes = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
|area_footnotes =
|area_magnitude =
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 3.1
|area_total_km2 = 3.35
|area_land_km2 = 3.1
|area_land_km2 = 3.35
|area_water_km2 = 0.0
|area_water_km2 = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.2
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.29
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.2
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.29
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.00


<!-- Population -->
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of = [[United States Census, 2010|2010]]
|population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes =
|population_footnotes =
|population_total = 876
|population_total = 806
|population_density_km2 = 282.5
|population_density_km2 = 240.82
|population_density_sq_mi = 730
|population_density_sq_mi = 623.84


<!-- General information -->
<!-- General information -->
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|timezone_DST = EDT
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_m = 196
|elevation_ft = 646
⚫
|coordinates = {{coord|35|23|57|N|79|47|00|W|region:US-NC|display=inline}}
⚫
|elevation_ft = 643
⚫
|coordinates = {{coord|35|23|54|N|79|47|00|W|region:US-NC|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code = 27356
|postal_code = 27356
|area_code = [[Area code 910|910]]
|area_codes = [[Area codes 910 and 472|910, 472]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 37-64580<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref>
|blank_info = 37-64580<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1015791<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
|blank1_info = 2406660<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406660}}</ref>
|website = [http://www.starnc.gov/ Star, NC Official Website]
|website = [http://www.starnc.gov/ Star, NC Official Website]
|footnotes =
|footnotes =
⚫
|pop_est_as_of =
|pop_est_footnotes =
⚫
|population_est =
}}
}}
⚫
'''Star''' is a town in [[Montgomery County, North Carolina|Montgomery County]], [[North Carolina]], [[United States]]. The population was 876 at the 2010 census.


⚫
'''Star''' is a town in [[Montgomery County, North Carolina|Montgomery County]], [[North Carolina]], United States. The population was 876 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]].
⚫
==Geography==


⚫
==Geography==
Star is known as the geographic center of North Carolina as measured via satellite, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. A plaque marking the exact center was placed at {{coord|35.399756|-79.766613|region:US-NC_type:city|format=dms|display=inline,title}} (35.399756, -79.766613).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The plaque is on private land and not open to visitors.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mason|first=Scott|title=Tar Heel traveler : journeys across North Carolina|publisher=Globe Pequot Press|location=Guilford, Conn.|isbn=0762760761|pages=35}}</ref>
Star is known as the [[List of geographic centers of the United States|geographic center of North Carolina]] as measured via satellite, according to the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]]. A plaque marking the exact center was placed at {{coord|35.399756|-79.766613|region:US-NC_type:city|format=dms|display=inline,title}} (35.399756, -79.766613).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The plaque is on private land and not open to visitors.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mason|first=Scott|title=Tar Heel traveler : journeys across North Carolina|publisher=Globe Pequot Press|location=Guilford, Conn.|isbn=0762760761|pages=35}}</ref> However, conflicting reports show the geographic center actually being in [[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham County]], northwest of [[Sanford, North Carolina|Sanford]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2011 |title=Geographic Centers of the United States |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/unnumbered/70039437/report.pdf |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=pubs.usgs.gov}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|1.2|sqmi|km2}}, all land.
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|1.2|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.
[[File:Plaque_of_the_Geographical_Center_of_North_Carolina.jpg|thumb|The Plaque of the Geographical Center of North Carolina. Photo taken July 25, 2009, by a family member of the land owner. The privately owned land is not open to the public or visitors.]]


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
Line 94: Line 97:
|2000= 807
|2000= 807
|2010= 876
|2010= 876
|2020= 806
|estyear=2016
⚫
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
|estimate=868
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
⚫
|footnote=<center>U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref></center>
}}
}}


===2020 census===
⚫
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 807 people, 335 households, and 211 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was 666.4 people per square mile (257.5/km²). There were 364 housing units at an average density of 300.6 per square mile (116.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.71% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.98% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.62% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.12% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.50% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.33% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.17% of the population.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Star racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3764580&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 22, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 490
| 60.79%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 71
| 8.81%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 3
| 0.37%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 16
| 1.99%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 226
| 28.04%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 806 people, 262 households, and 147 families residing in the town.


===2000 census===
There were 335 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04.
⚫
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 807 people, 335 households, and 211 families residing in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|666.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 364 housing units at an average density of {{convert|300.6|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the town was 90.71% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.98% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.62% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.12% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.50% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.33% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.74% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 9.17% of the population.


In the town, the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.
There were 335 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.


The median income for a household in the town was $26,845, and the median income for a family was $32,083. Males had a median income of $26,563 versus $22,344 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,300. About 12.1% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,845, and the median income for a family was $32,083. Males had a median income of $26,563 versus $22,344 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,300. About 12.1% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.


==History==
==History==
[[File:Starhotel.JPG|left|thumb|The Star Hotel, built by the Leach Family in 1897, is now known as The Star Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn]]
⚫
The town of Star was incorporated in 1897. It was originally called Hunsucker's Store, after a trading post operated by the original landowner, Mr. Martin Hunsucker. After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], a man named Angus Leach moved to Hunsucker's Store and helped to found the present Town of Star, serving as postmaster, hotel operator, and general merchandise store owner. Gold was discovered in the area around 1866, and by 1874 there were extensive gold mining operations in the province, particularly around the Little River area of Star. When the Aberdeen and West End Railroad (owned by the Page family of Aberdeen, NC), completed a branch to Star from Filo, NC ([[Biscoe, North Carolina]]) in 1895, it was only a short period later before Star was incorporated into a town. [[Image:Country Life Academy.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Carolina Collegiate and Agricultural Institute (Country Life Academy), Star, NC.]] Star was a major shipping point for lumber, [[turpentine]], and bricks beginning in 1896 with the completion of the Asheboro and Montgomery Railroad, also built by the Page family. In 1896, the Leach Family erected a large wooden hotel to accommodate the travelers and workers of the railroad, and the hotel (The Star Hotel Bed and Breakfast) is still standing today and is owned by [[Gary Spivey]]. In 1897, the Aberdeen and West End Railroad merged with the Asheboro and Montgomery Railroad to form the [[Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad]], thus opening the area to a whole new range of shipping. The timber industry was the first major factor in the growth of Star. The Star Lumber Company, headed by Z.T. Wright, J.B. Shamburger, and W.T. Harper, had built a tramway in 1896 to haul logs to the mills in town. The tramway was removed in 1901 when the [[Durham and Charlotte Railroad]] was built to Star. The Durham and Charlotte Railroad was to connect the two cities of [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] and [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]. Because The town of Star was the junction and crossroads for the Aberdeen & Asheboro Railroad and the Durham & Charlotte Railroad, business in the town began to pick up. [[Image:Starhotel.JPG|300px|left|thumb|The Star Hotel, built by the Leach Family in 1897, is now known as The Star Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn]] Sometime around 1900, a bottling plant was established in Star by J.R. Ingrahm to bottle sodas for the area. This company preceded the [[Coca-Cola]] Plant in Star, which was later moved to [[Biscoe, North Carolina]]. Also in 1900, the Montgomery Roller Mill was incorporated with a capital stock of $4700 by Braxton Auman, who also operated a whiskey distillery and chair factory. In 1907, Star's first undertaker, Mr. H.D. Phillips, established a funeral parlor. This was the beginning of a long and successful business for the Phillips family who still operate the Phillips Funeral Home today. Interesting to note was the organization of a "Carolina Collegiate and Agricultural Institute" around 1910 in Star by Dr. Edward F. Green that cooperated with the North Carolina A & M College in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. The town saw massive growth between the years of 1912 and 1950 when the [[Norfolk Southern Railway (former)]] purchased the old lines of the Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad and the Durham and Charlotte Railroad. The operation held a depot, water tank, and coal chute in Star. This new era saw the introduction of the hosiery mill industry, a boom in lumber production, various new stores and products, and a huge surge in population. In 1914-1915, [[Boy Scout Troop]] 111 was established in Star, one of the earliest in North Carolina. Since that point, the town continued to slowly grow into a prosperous community. In the 1960s the town undertook the task of erecting some of the first public housing units in the state. On March 14, 1969, Lancer Inc., one of the nation's Top 50 upholstered furniture manufacturers, started its operations in Star and continues to be one of Star's largest employers, having expanded its operations six times.
The town of Star was incorporated in 1897. It was originally called Hunsucker's Store, after a trading post operated by the original landowner, Mr. Martin Hunsucker. After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], a man named Angus Leach moved to Hunsucker's Store and helped to found the present Town of Star, serving as postmaster, hotel operator, and general merchandise store owner. Gold was discovered in the area around 1866, and by 1874 there were extensive gold mining operations in this part of the state, particularly around the Little River area of Star. When the Aberdeen and West End Railroad (owned by the Page family of Aberdeen, NC), completed a branch to Star from Filo, NC ([[Biscoe, North Carolina]]) in 1895, it was only a short period later before Star was incorporated into a town.
⚫
Since then, the hosiery mills experienced a decline and eventually left Star. This left hundreds unemployed and the once prosperous town of Star began to wither away. The buildings that once employed many hard-working people now mostly sit empty. The townspeople hold out hope for new industry to move into Star. In September 2013, downtown Star was honored by being listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as the [[Star Historic District]].<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20130920.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2013-09-20|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties, 9/09/13 through 9/13/13 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>
[[Image:Country Life Academy.jpg|thumb|Carolina Collegiate and Agricultural Institute (Country Life Academy), Star, NC.]]
Star was a major shipping point for lumber, [[turpentine]], and bricks beginning in 1896 with the completion of the Asheboro and Montgomery Railroad, also built by the Page family. In 1896, the Leach Family erected a large wooden hotel to accommodate the travelers and workers of the railroad, and the hotel (The Star Hotel Bed and Breakfast) is still standing today and is owned by [[Gary Spivey]]. In 1897, the Aberdeen and West End Railroad merged with the Asheboro and Montgomery Railroad to form the [[Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad]], thus opening the area to a whole new range of shipping. The timber industry was the first major factor in the growth of Star. The Star Lumber Company, headed by Z.T. Wright, J.B. Shamburger, and W.T. Harper, had built a tramway in 1896 to haul logs to the mills in town. The tramway was removed in 1901 when the [[Durham and Charlotte Railroad]] was built to Star. The Durham and Charlotte Railroad was to connect the two cities of [[Durham, North Carolina|Durham]] and [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]. Because The town of Star was the junction and crossroads for the Aberdeen & Asheboro Railroad and the Durham & Charlotte Railroad, business in the town began to pick up.


⚫
Sometime around 1900, a bottling plant was established in Star by J.R. Ingrahm to bottle sodas for the area. This company preceded the [[Coca-Cola]] Plant in Star, which was later moved to [[Biscoe, North Carolina]]. Also in 1900, the Montgomery Roller Mill was incorporated with a capital stock of $4700 by Braxton Auman, who also operated a whiskey distillery and chair factory. In 1907, Star's first undertaker, Mr. H.D. Phillips, established a funeral parlor. This was the beginning of a long and successful business for the Phillips family who still operate the Phillips Funeral Home today. Interesting to note was the organization of a "Carolina Collegiate and Agricultural Institute" around 1910 in Star by Dr. Edward F. Green that cooperated with the North Carolina A & M College in [[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh]]. The town saw massive growth between the years of 1912 and 1950 when the [[Norfolk Southern Railway (former)]] purchased the old lines of the Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad and the Durham and Charlotte Railroad. The operation held a depot, water tank, and coal chute in Star. This new era saw the introduction of the hosiery mill industry, a boom in lumber production, various new stores and products, and a huge surge in population. In 1914–1915, [[Boy Scout Troop]] 111 was established in Star, one of the earliest in North Carolina. Since that point, the town continued to slowly grow into a prosperous community. In the 1960s the town undertook the task of erecting some of the first public housing units in the state. On March 14, 1969, Lancer Inc., one of the nation's Top 50 upholstered furniture manufacturers, started its operations in Star and continues to be one of Star's largest employers, having expanded its operations six times.
⚫
==Star today==
⚫
Since then, the hosiery mills experienced a decline and eventually left Star. This left hundreds unemployed and the once prosperous town of Star began to wither away. The buildings that once employed many now mostly sit empty. In September 2013, downtown Star was honored by being listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as the [[Star Historic District]].<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20130920.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=September 20, 2013|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties, 9/09/13 through 9/13/13 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>


⚫
===Star today===
Star has been designated as a [[US Postal Service]] Christmas Town. The Star Christmas Parade is documented as one of the oldest in the State, as well as the longest with the most entries. Central Park NC has its current headquarters in the old Country Life Academy building in Star, now known as STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise. STARworks hosts several annual events including the Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch and FireFest: Community Fueled Art. The town is located at the center of the state of North Carolina. Local and nearby attractions include [[Uwharrie National Forest]], [[Badin Lake]], [[Lake Tillery]], [[North Carolina Zoo]], and [[Pinehurst, North Carolina|Pinehurst]].
Star has been designated as a [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Postal Service]] Christmas Town. The Star Christmas Parade is documented as one of the oldest in the State, as well as the longest with the most entries. Central Park NC has its current headquarters in the old Country Life Academy building in Star, now known as STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise. STARworks hosts several annual events including the Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch and FireFest: Community Fueled Art. The town is located at the center of the state of North Carolina. Local and nearby attractions include [[Uwharrie National Forest]], [[Badin Lake]], [[Lake Tillery]], [[North Carolina Zoo]], and [[Pinehurst, North Carolina|Pinehurst]].


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}

<references />


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.starnc.gov/ Official website]
* [http://www.starnc.gov/ Official website]
*[http://starumc.org/ Star United Methodist Church]


{{Montgomery County, North Carolina}}
{{Montgomery County, North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Towns in Montgomery County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in Montgomery County, North Carolina]]

Latest revision as of 17:47, 7 May 2024

Star, North Carolina
Town
Main Street
Main Street
Location of Star, North Carolina
Location of Star, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°23′57″N 79°47′00″W / 35.39917°N 79.78333°W / 35.39917; -79.78333
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Carolina
CountyMontgomery
Government
 • MayorBill Hudson
Area
[1]
 • Total1.29 sq mi (3.35 km2)
 • Land1.29 sq mi (3.35 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
646 ft (197 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total806
 • Density623.84/sq mi (240.82/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
27356
Area codes910, 472
FIPS code37-64580[3]
GNIS feature ID2406660[2]
WebsiteStar, NC Official Website

Star is a town in Montgomery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 876 at the 2010 census.

Geography[edit]

Star is known as the geographic center of North Carolina as measured via satellite, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. A plaque marking the exact center was placed at 35°23′59″N 79°46′00″W / 35.399756°N 79.766613°W / 35.399756; -79.766613 (35.399756, -79.766613).[4] The plaque is on private land and not open to visitors.[5] However, conflicting reports show the geographic center actually being in Chatham County, northwest of Sanford.[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.1 km2), all land.

The Plaque of the Geographical Center of North Carolina. Photo taken July 25, 2009, by a family member of the land owner. The privately owned land is not open to the public or visitors.

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900211—
191023913.3%
192046795.4%
193063435.8%
1940611−3.6%
195067710.8%
196074510.0%
197089219.7%
1980816−8.5%
1990775−5.0%
20008074.1%
20108768.6%
2020806−8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]

2020 census[edit]

Star racial composition[8]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 490 60.79%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 71 8.81%
Native American 3 0.37%
Other/Mixed 16 1.99%
Hispanic or Latino 226 28.04%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 806 people, 262 households, and 147 families residing in the town.

2000 census[edit]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 807 people, 335 households, and 211 families residing in the town. The population density was 666.4 people per square mile (257.3 people/km2). There were 364 housing units at an average density of 300.6 per square mile (116.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.71% White, 1.98% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.50% Pacific Islander, 5.33% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.17% of the population.

There were 335 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.4% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $26,845, and the median income for a family was $32,083. Males had a median income of $26,563 versus $22,344 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,300. About 12.1% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

History[edit]

The Star Hotel, built by the Leach Family in 1897, is now known as The Star Hotel Bed and Breakfast Inn

The town of Star was incorporated in 1897. It was originally called Hunsucker's Store, after a trading post operated by the original landowner, Mr. Martin Hunsucker. After the Civil War, a man named Angus Leach moved to Hunsucker's Store and helped to found the present Town of Star, serving as postmaster, hotel operator, and general merchandise store owner. Gold was discovered in the area around 1866, and by 1874 there were extensive gold mining operations in this part of the state, particularly around the Little River area of Star. When the Aberdeen and West End Railroad (owned by the Page family of Aberdeen, NC), completed a branch to Star from Filo, NC (Biscoe, North Carolina) in 1895, it was only a short period later before Star was incorporated into a town.

Carolina Collegiate and Agricultural Institute (Country Life Academy), Star, NC.

Star was a major shipping point for lumber, turpentine, and bricks beginning in 1896 with the completion of the Asheboro and Montgomery Railroad, also built by the Page family. In 1896, the Leach Family erected a large wooden hotel to accommodate the travelers and workers of the railroad, and the hotel (The Star Hotel Bed and Breakfast) is still standing today and is owned by Gary Spivey. In 1897, the Aberdeen and West End Railroad merged with the Asheboro and Montgomery Railroad to form the Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad, thus opening the area to a whole new range of shipping. The timber industry was the first major factor in the growth of Star. The Star Lumber Company, headed by Z.T. Wright, J.B. Shamburger, and W.T. Harper, had built a tramway in 1896 to haul logs to the mills in town. The tramway was removed in 1901 when the Durham and Charlotte Railroad was built to Star. The Durham and Charlotte Railroad was to connect the two cities of Durham and Charlotte. Because The town of Star was the junction and crossroads for the Aberdeen & Asheboro Railroad and the Durham & Charlotte Railroad, business in the town began to pick up.

Sometime around 1900, a bottling plant was established in Star by J.R. Ingrahm to bottle sodas for the area. This company preceded the Coca-Cola Plant in Star, which was later moved to Biscoe, North Carolina. Also in 1900, the Montgomery Roller Mill was incorporated with a capital stock of $4700 by Braxton Auman, who also operated a whiskey distillery and chair factory. In 1907, Star's first undertaker, Mr. H.D. Phillips, established a funeral parlor. This was the beginning of a long and successful business for the Phillips family who still operate the Phillips Funeral Home today. Interesting to note was the organization of a "Carolina Collegiate and Agricultural Institute" around 1910 in Star by Dr. Edward F. Green that cooperated with the North Carolina A & M College in Raleigh. The town saw massive growth between the years of 1912 and 1950 when the Norfolk Southern Railway (former) purchased the old lines of the Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad and the Durham and Charlotte Railroad. The operation held a depot, water tank, and coal chute in Star. This new era saw the introduction of the hosiery mill industry, a boom in lumber production, various new stores and products, and a huge surge in population. In 1914–1915, Boy Scout Troop 111 was established in Star, one of the earliest in North Carolina. Since that point, the town continued to slowly grow into a prosperous community. In the 1960s the town undertook the task of erecting some of the first public housing units in the state. On March 14, 1969, Lancer Inc., one of the nation's Top 50 upholstered furniture manufacturers, started its operations in Star and continues to be one of Star's largest employers, having expanded its operations six times. Since then, the hosiery mills experienced a decline and eventually left Star. This left hundreds unemployed and the once prosperous town of Star began to wither away. The buildings that once employed many now mostly sit empty. In September 2013, downtown Star was honored by being listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Star Historic District.[9]

Star today[edit]

Star has been designated as a U.S. Postal Service Christmas Town. The Star Christmas Parade is documented as one of the oldest in the State, as well as the longest with the most entries. Central Park NC has its current headquarters in the old Country Life Academy building in Star, now known as STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise. STARworks hosts several annual events including the Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch and FireFest: Community Fueled Art. The town is located at the center of the state of North Carolina. Local and nearby attractions include Uwharrie National Forest, Badin Lake, Lake Tillery, North Carolina Zoo, and Pinehurst.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Star, North Carolina
  3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ^ Mason, Scott. Tar Heel traveler : journeys across North Carolina. Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot Press. p. 35. ISBN 0762760761.
  6. ^ "Geographic Centers of the United States" (PDF). pubs.usgs.gov. September 3, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  7. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  9. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties, 9/09/13 through 9/13/13. National Park Service. September 20, 2013.

External links[edit]

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