Spring Lake is a town in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. The 2000 census recorded the population at 8,098 people.[citation needed]
History
Spring Lake became the name of the town around 1923 by Arthur Priddy who opened the Spring Lake service station in relation to the lake (Spring Lake Pond) that ran beside the rail line. Previously, the town was called "Clayton Cut," due to the pathway cut that ran through the area where the railroad later resided, and also "Prince's Siding," after a man named Prince who owned a sawmill on this land.
Spring Lake was officially incorporated on April 9, 1951. Grady Howard was named interim mayor on this date, and was officially elected the First Mayor of Spring Lake on June 5, 1951.
The modern growth spurt, beginning in World War II is attributed to the proximity of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Throughout most of the 20th century, local financial services were provided to citizens of Spring Lake, Fayetteville, and Lumberton by Home Federal Savings and Loan Association. This long-time Fayetteville establishment was purchased by New South Bank in the 1990s, which later became First South Bank.
Geography
Spring Lake is located at 35°10′39″N 78°58′32″W / 35.1775°N 78.97556°W / 35.1775; -78.97556 (35.177593, -78.975501).[3]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²).3.7 square miles (9.5 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.54%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 8,098 people, 3,109 households, and 2,117 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,203.9 people per square mile (851.9/km²). There were 3,623 housing units at an average density of 986.0/sq mi (381.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 33.97% White, 51.11% African American, 0.83% Native American, 3.59% Asian, 0.37% Pacific Islander, 4.88% from other races, and 5.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.89% of the population.
There were 3,109 households out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 20.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.3% under the age of 18, 16.9% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $27,322, and the median income for a family was $28,300. Males had a median income of $25,016 versus $17,979 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,683. About 22.6% of families and 23.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 10.9% of those age 65 or over.
Law and government
In May 2009, Spring Lake's police department was stripped of its authority, with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office assuming command in the town. This happened after two of its senior officers were arrested on an array of charges including embezzlement, larceny, obstruction of justice, second-degree kidnapping, and breaking and entering, which resulted in Chief of Police, A.C. Brown resignation.[4] The District Attorney dropped the majority of misdemeanor cases the department had investigated, saying "We can no longer rely upon the basic presumed integrity of the work product of this department."[4] The town has recently revamped the department with the hiring of new officers and Troy McDuffie has the Police Chief. Misdemeanor investigations power have been restored and efforts are being made to regain the authority to investigate felony offenses.
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b Spring Lake Police Department stripped of authority. WRAL. Accessed on May 4, 2009.
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