Nags Head, North Carolina

Nags Head, North Carolina
Town
Nags Head in 2013
Flag Seal
Location in Dare County and the U.S. state of North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°55′55″N 75°36′54″W
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Dare
Incorporated	1923 and 1961[1]
Named for	Tied lanterns around the necks of ponies[1]
Government
• Mayor	Ben Cahoon[2]
Area [3]
• Total	6.68 sq mi (17.31 km^2)
• Land	6.62 sq mi (17.14 km^2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.17 km^2)
Elevation	3 ft (1 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,168
• Density	478.69/sq mi (184.84/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	27959
Area code	252
FIPS code	37-45880[4]
GNIS feature ID	1021599[5]
Website	nagsheadnc.gov

Nags Head is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. It is a busy vacation spot because of its beaches and sand dunes of Jockey's Ridge. The population was 3,146 at the 2020 census.^[6]

History

Early maps of the area show Nags Head as a promontory of land characterized by high sand dunes visible from miles at sea. The origin of the town's name is obscure but it is likely to have been named after any one of the Nag's Heads on the English coast.^[7]

A folkloric explanation claims that mules or horses (nags) would have lights hung on their heads by nefarious wreckers in order to trick ships into running aground and then loot the ships of their valuables.^[8] The town's emblem depicts one such equine accomplice from the tale.^[9]

Around 1830,^[10] Nags Head became known as a resort area. This direction was accelerated in 1855 when Dr. W. G. Pool bought 50 acres of oceanfront land which he separated into plots and sold to friends, increasing the number of homes in the area.^{[citation needed]}

Jockey's Ridge is the last vestige of the sand dunes seen by the first explorers, as the area is now highly developed. The town incorporated in 1961.^[11]

Energy and design improvements

In May 2021, Nags Head was one of 11 communities (along with nearby Ocracoke, North Carolina) chosen by the United States Department of Energy to participate in the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project, a program to provide federal aid for remote communities to modernize their electric infrastructure and resiliency through natural disasters and outages. Nags Head's grant is used to secure 48–72 hours of backup energy for emergency services due to the community's vulnerability to severe weather and rising sea levels and to investigate renewable and energy efficiency options.^[12] According to Nag's Head's Director of Planning and Development Michael Zehner, the project will take 12–18 months to complete and the town will receive assistance from National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Sandia National Laboratories.^[13]

Nags Head received a separate grant from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to receive technical assistance in developing better building design practices for energy and water efficiency, a project with an expected completion in early 2022.^[13]

Geography

Nags Head is located at 35°55′55″N 75°36′54″W (35.932004, -75.615085).^[14]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17.2 km²), of which 6.6 square miles (17.0 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²), or 1.15%, is water.^[15]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1970	414		—
1980	1,020		146.4%
1990	1,838		80.2%
2000	2,700		46.9%
2010	2,757		2.1%
2020	3,146		14.1%
2021 (est.)	3,182	[6]	1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

2020 census

Nags Head racial composition^[17]

Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	2,891	91.26%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	23	0.73%
Native American	5	0.16%
Asian	25	0.79%
Other/Mixed	108	3.41%
Hispanic or Latino	116	3.66%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,168 people, 1,302 households, and 861 families residing in the town.

2010 census

As of the census^[4] of 2010, there were 2,757 people, 1,223 households, and 741 families residing in the town. The population density was 413.2 inhabitants per square mile (159.5/km²). There were 4,884 housing units at an average density of 634.9 per square mile (245.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.6% White, 1.6% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 1,223 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 19.2% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,095, and the median income for a family was $61,302. Males had a median income of $33,289 versus $30,139 for females. The per capita income for the town was $30,157. About 4.4% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Beach houses along the Atlantic Ocean in Nags Head

Landmarks and attractions

Located in Nags Head is the largest sand dune on the East Coast at Jockey's Ridge State Park.^[18] The sand dune has migrated over the years from the energy of coastal winds and has buried a miniature golf course along the way. Jockey's Ridge has been popular with hang-gliders since the advent of the sport, and is home to the world's largest hang gliding school. Kite flyers are also frequent visitors. The park's visitor center includes an informative museum with exhibits on sand, weather, and local fauna. The diversity of wildlife may change with seasonal migrations and includes bird species, foxes, mice, squirrels, occasional deer and rabbits.

One of the most exciting features of the Ridge is its capriciousness. Annual visitors find that ephemeral pools can spring up, and the sand can shift, making for a fresh experience every time. From the top of the Ridge, the ocean as well as the sound can be seen. Jockey's Ridge has a sound beach on the Roanoke Sound side where visitors may swim.

The Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve is 1,092 acres (4.42 km²) and lies North of Jockey's Ridge and east of Roanoke Sound. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.^[19]

As in any other beach town, the ocean and shoreline are the major attractions, providing beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and a variety of water sports. A series of historic cottages overlook the beach in sections. There are three piers popular for fishing: Nags Head Pier, Jennette's Pier (severely damaged by Hurricane Isabel in 2003, bought and renovated by the North Carolina Aquariums, reopened in May 2011), and Outer Banks Pier. The town also features miniature golf courses and small amusement centers with go-karts and bumper cars for family entertainment.

Other attractions include various National Register of Historic Places in or near Nags Head, such as the following:

Landmark name[20]	Image	Date listed	Location	Notes
Bodie Island Lifesaving and Coast Guard Station		February 9, 1979	S of Nags Head on NC 12 35°50′11″N 75°33′33″W
Bodie Island Light Station		July 4, 2003	Off NC 12 35°49′12″N 75°33′49″W
First Colony Inn		January 21, 1993	6720 S. Virginia Dare Trail 35°55′6″N 75°36′13″W
Markham-Albertson-Stinson Cottage		January 13, 2006	4300 W. Soundside Rd. 35°56′45.51″N 75°37′45.93″W	Destroyed by Hurricane Irene[21]
Mattie Midgett Store and House		December 23, 2004	4008 S. Virginia Dare Trail 35°57′23″N 75°37′28″W
Nags Head Beach Cottages Historic District		August 19, 1977	U.S. 158 35°57′50″N 75°35′49″W
Sea Foam Motel		December 23, 2004	7111 S. Virginia Dare Trail 35°54′37″N 75°35′47″W
USS Huron (1875)		November 15, 1991	Address restricted	wrecked in the area, 1877

Climate

According to the Trewartha climate classification system, Nags Head, North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation (Cfak). Cfak climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature > 32.0 °F (> 0.0 °C), at least eight months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0 °F (≥ 10.0 °C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6 °F (≥ 22.0 °C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Nags Head, a cooling afternoon sea breeze is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with heat index values ≥ 100 °F (≥ 38 °C). Nags Head is prone to hurricane strikes, particularly during the Atlantic hurricane season which extends from June 1 through November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September. During the winter months, episodes of cold and wind can occur with wind chill values < 10 °F (< −12 °C). The plant hardiness zone in Nags Head is 8b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 16.9 °F (−8.4 °C).^[22] The average seasonal (Dec-Mar) snowfall total is < 2 inches (< 5 cm), and the average annual peak in nor'easter activity is in February.

Climate data for Nags Head, NC (1981–2010 averages)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	51.3 (10.7)	53.1 (11.7)	58.6 (14.8)	66.9 (19.4)	74.3 (23.5)	81.8 (27.7)	85.5 (29.7)	84.4 (29.1)	79.9 (26.6)	71.6 (22.0)	63.5 (17.5)	55.3 (12.9)	68.9 (20.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)	44.3 (6.8)	46.0 (7.8)	51.1 (10.6)	59.3 (15.2)	67.2 (19.6)	75.6 (24.2)	79.7 (26.5)	78.8 (26.0)	74.4 (23.6)	65.5 (18.6)	56.7 (13.7)	48.3 (9.1)	62.3 (16.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	37.3 (2.9)	38.8 (3.8)	43.5 (6.4)	51.7 (10.9)	60.1 (15.6)	69.4 (20.8)	73.9 (23.3)	73.2 (22.9)	69.0 (20.6)	59.3 (15.2)	49.8 (9.9)	41.4 (5.2)	55.7 (13.2)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	4.35 (110)	3.74 (95)	3.73 (95)	3.37 (86)	3.68 (93)	4.28 (109)	5.12 (130)	6.09 (155)	5.63 (143)	3.94 (100)	3.83 (97)	3.88 (99)	51.64 (1,312)
Average relative humidity (%)	69.6	69.5	67.2	67.4	70.3	73.4	75.3	74.7	73.8	70.9	72.1	71.2	71.3
Average dew point °F (°C)	35.0 (1.7)	36.6 (2.6)	40.6 (4.8)	48.5 (9.2)	57.2 (14.0)	66.5 (19.2)	71.2 (21.8)	70.1 (21.2)	65.5 (18.6)	55.8 (13.2)	47.8 (8.8)	39.4 (4.1)	52.9 (11.6)
Source: PRISM[23]

Climate data for Duck, NC, ocean water temperature (21 NW Nags Head)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Daily mean °F (°C)	45 (7)	44 (7)	46 (8)	59 (15)	67 (19)	74 (23)	71 (22)	74 (23)	75 (24)	69 (21)	59 (15)	52 (11)	61 (16)
Source: NOAA[24]

Ecology

According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Nags Head, North Carolina would have a dominant vegetation type of Live oak/Sea Oats Uniola paniculata (90) with a dominant vegetation form of Coastal Prairie (20).^[25]

Education

Residents are in Dare County Schools. Zoned schools include Nags Head Elementary School, Manteo Middle School, and Manteo High School.^[26]

Nags Head Elementary opened in August 2005.^[27]

Previously First Flight Elementary School in Kill Devil Hills served elementary levels while First Flight Middle School, also in Kill Devil Hills, served middle school.^[28]

References

1. "North Carolina Gazetteer". Retrieved March 27, 2021.
2. "Board of Commissioners | Nags Head, NC". nagsheadnc.gov. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
3. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. Bureau, US Census. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2022. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
7. "The Beginning of New Hope Church, Nags Head Chapel" (PDF). Northern Hills United Methodist Church.
8. Renouf, Norman; Renouf, Kathy (1999). The Carolinas & the Georgia Coast. Hunter Publishing, Inc. p. 229. ISBN 978-1-55650-854-7. Legend has it that "wrecking" was a popular pastime and source of income for the early inhabitants. It seems that certain ne'r-do-wells would tie lanterns to their horses' necks [...]
9. "Town Brochure". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
10. "Nags Head Guide". 2011. Retrieved October 14, 2012.
11. "Nags Head". Outer Banks of North Carolina. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
12. "DOE to Support 11 Remote and Island Communities Transitioning to Resilient Clean Energy Solutions". Energy.gov. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
13. Jurkowitz, Mark (May 1, 2021). "Nags Head joins 10 other 'islanded communities' in project to keep the power on". The Outer Banks Voice. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
14. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
15. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Nags Head town, North Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
17. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
18. Jockey's Ridge State Park
19. "NPS: Explore Nature " National Natural Landmarks". National Park Service. June 25, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
20. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 24, 2008.
21. "Hurricane Irene - the Atlantic".
22. "USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
23. "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". Retrieved August 6, 2019.
24. "Water Temperature Table of All Coastal Regions". Retrieved August 6, 2019.
25. "U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)". Retrieved August 6, 2019.
26. "Attendance Zone Information". Dare County Schools. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
27. Freeman, Darren (October 3, 2004). "Boundary lines for Nags Head Elementary set for next year". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on October 15, 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
28. "Attendance Zones". Dare County Schools. February 19, 2002. Archived from the original on February 19, 2002. Retrieved April 14, 2021. - Same in 2003

External links

• Official website