Duck, North Carolina
Town in North Carolina, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Duck is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 746.[4] Duck is the northernmost incorporated town in Dare County and the Outer Banks' newest town, incorporated on May 1, 2002. Duck offers visitors outdoor recreational activities, summer events and concerts, watersports, fine dining, shopping, art galleries, and a nationally known jazz festival, as well as the 11-acre (4.5 ha) Town Park and soundside boardwalk.[5]
Duck, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 The boardwalk at Duck Town Park in 2009 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location in Dare County, North Carolina | |
  Duck  Duck | |
| Coordinates: 36°10′11″N 75°45′19″W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Dare |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Incorporated | 2002 |
| Named after | Duck |
| Area | |
• Total | 3.72 sq mi (9.64 km2) |
| • Land | 2.42 sq mi (6.26 km2) |
| • Water | 1.31 sq mi (3.38 km2) |
| Elevation | 6.6 ft (2 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 742 |
| • Density | 307.0/sq mi (118.54/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 27949 |
| Area code | 252 |
| FIPS code | 37-18060[1][3] |
| GNIS feature ID (populated place) | 1025292 |
| GNIS feature ID (town) | 2406400 |
| Website | ducknc |
History
On March 28, 2001, state representative William T. Culpepper III introduced the Duck Incorporation Bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives. The bill was passed on August 29, 2001. On November 6, 2001, voters voted in favor of incorporation, and Duck was incorporated as the sixth town in Dare County on May 1, 2002.
The Caffeys Inlet Lifesaving Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 1978.[6]
Geography
Duck is located along the northern Outer Banks, between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Currituck Sound to the west. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km2), of which 2.4 square miles (6.3 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), or 35.02% is water. Originally part of Currituck County to the north, the stretch of the Outer Banks which includes Duck was transferred to Dare County in the early 20th century. The region was named for the many ducks and waterfowl in the area.
According to the A. W. Kuchler U.S. potential natural vegetation types, Duck, 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).[7]
Climate
The town of Duck marks the northernmost extent of hardiness zone 8b along the east coast of the United States.[8]
| Climate data for Duck, North Carolina | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average sea temperature °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[9] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 742 people, 288 households, and 202 families residing in the town.
Tourist attractions
The town park is a recreational facility with trails through the maritime forest and willow swamp. It also has an amphitheater, playground, picnic shelter, and public kayak/canoeing launch. The town has built a boardwalk which can be accessed from the park and through the commercial village. The boardwalk extends 0.78 miles (1.26 km) along Currituck Sound. Duck's beach was named one of the "Top 15 Family-Friendly Beaches in America".
In October, Duck hosts its annual Jazz Festival. During the summer months, the town offers over 60 events and programs including Yoga on the Green, Movies on the Sound, a family magic show, live concerts and interactive theater. Programs are free and open to the public.[12]
Government
In addition to traditional town council meetings, there are regularly scheduled meetings where the public can address issues before the council.[13]
Duck is one of only a very few US municipalities that is an anti-bellwether, meaning it has voted for the losing candidate in each of the past 4 presidential elections. (Romney, Clinton, Trump, Harris).[citation needed]
Education
Residents are zoned to Dare County Schools. Zoned schools are Kitty Hawk Elementary School, First Flight Middle School, and First Flight High School.[14] Prior to 2004, First Flight High zoned students were zoned to Manteo High School.[15]
Notable residents
- Harold R. Story, US Army major general[16]
