Wadesboro, North Carolina

History

Originally called "Newtown", the town was renamed in 1783 in honor of Colonel Thomas Wade after his service with the Minutemen in the Revolutionary War.

In 1900, scientists determined that Wadesboro would be the best location in North America for viewing an expected total solar eclipse. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, then based in Washington, D.C., loaded several railroad cars with scientific equipment and headed to the town.

The Boggan-Hammond House and Alexander Little Wing, United States Post Office, and Wadesboro Downtown Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.4 km²), of which 0.012 square miles (0.03 km²), or 0.20%, is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,813 people, 2,303 households, and 1,428 families residing in the town. The population density was 921.2 people per square mile (355.8/km²). There were 2,692 housing units at an average density of 426.6 per square mile (164.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 35.6% White, 60.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.9% some other race, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 2,303 households out of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.1% were headed by married couples living together, 25.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40, and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.8 years. For every 100 females there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.

For the period 2007-11, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $32,550, and the median income for a family was $34,522. Male full-time workers had a median income of $38,385 versus $29,297 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,055. About 19.0% of families and 22.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.1% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Wadesboro is served by the Anson County School District.

Media

The Color Purple

Steven Spielberg filmed The Color Purple in a large white farmhouse known as the Huntley House / James Bennett Plantation in nearby Lilesville. Located a few miles off U.S. Highway 74, it was used extensively as the main exterior location in that film. Most of the town scenes were done in Marshville; the store is an actual store called Apple Jacks and dirt was laid over the pavement during filming.

Evil Dead II

The film Evil Dead II was shot in Wadesboro, and the Huntley House became the production office for the film. Most of Evil Dead II was filmed in the woods near that farmhouse, or J.R. Faison Junior High School, which is where the interior cabin set was located.