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Laurinburg, NC

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Laurinburg, NC

Laurinburg is a city in and the county seat of Scotland County, North Carolina, United States. Located in southern North Carolina near the South Carolina border, Laurinburg is southwest of Fayetteville and is home to St. Andrews University. The population at the 2010 census was 15,962 people.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 square miles (33 km²), of which 12.4 square miles (32.1 km²) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) (1.27%) is water. Laurinburg is located 19 miles (31 km) northeast of Bennettsville, 26 miles (42 km) east of Rockingham,

Settlers arrived at the present town site around 1785. The settlement was named for a prominent family, the McLaurins. The name was originally spelled Laurinburgh and pronounced the same as Edinburgh, though the "h" was later dropped. The community was initially located within the jurisdiction of Richmond County. In 1840, Laurinburg had a saloon, a store, and a few shacks. Laurinburg High School, a private school, was established in 1852. The settlement prospered in the years following. A line of the Wilmington, Charlotte, and Rutherford Railroad was built through Laurinburg in the 1850s, with the first train reaching Laurinburg in 1861. The railroad's shops were moved to Laurinburg in 1865 in the hope they would be safer from Union Army attack; however, in March of that year, Union forces reached Laurinburg and burned the railroad depot and temporary shops. The shops were later rebuilt. Laurinburg was incorporated in 1877. In 1894 the railway shops were moved out of the town and, combined with low cotton prices, property values in the area decreased and the town experienced an economic depression.

By the late 1800s, Richmond County had a majority black population and tended to support the Republican Party in elections, while the state of North Carolina was dominated by the Democratic Party. As a result of this, white Democrats built up a political base in Laurinburg and in 1899 the town and the surrounding area was split off from Richmond into the new Scotland County. The town was declared the seat of Scotland County in 1900 and the first courthouse was erected the following year. As their influence in public affairs and share of public resources declined, local black citizens created the Laurinburg Normal Industrial Institute, later known as Laurinburg Academy, in 1904.

Main Street in Laurinburg was paved in 1914. Beginning in 1929, the Great Depression severely impacted Laurinburg, causing two banks to fail. A new courthouse was built in 1964. Laurinburg's downtown suffered an economic decline beginning in the 1980s when the Belk department store moved to a shopping center further away. The downtown was heavily impacted by Hurricane Florence in 2018.

The healthcare landscape in Laurinburg is robust, with institutions like the Scotland Health Care System providing comprehensive medical services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Scotland County Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Planet Fitness, Family Fitness, and AYM CrossFit. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Laurinburg, such as Bridge Creek and Hammond Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Laurinburg, NC are the North Carolina Rural Heritage Center, The John Blue House, James L. Morgan Recreation Complex.

Population: 14,978 (2020). ZIP Codes: 28352. Area codes: 910, 472. Elevation: 217 ft (66 m). Area: 12.71 sq mi (32.91 km²).

FAQs

Is Laurinburg, NC a good place to live?

Living in Laurinburg offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. Many young professionals live in Laurinburg and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Laurinburg are above average.

How far is Laurinburg, NC from the ocean?

The total driving distance from Laurinburg, NC to Sunset Beach, NC is 98 miles or 158 kilometers. Your trip begins in Laurinburg, North Carolina. It ends in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. If you are planning a road trip, you might also want to calculate the total driving time from Laurinburg, NC to Sunset Beach, NC so you can see when you'll arrive at your destination.

What is the poverty rate in Laurinburg, NC?

In 2022, the median household income of Laurinburg households was $38,015. Laurinburg households made slightly more than East Spencer households ($37,917) and Lucama households ($37,750). However, 28.8% of Laurinburg families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Laurinburg

Scotland Health Care System

Scotland County Parks and Recreation Department 

Planet Fitness

Family Fitness 

AYM CrossFit

Bridge Creek 

Hammond Park

North Carolina Rural Heritage Center

The John Blue House

James L. Morgan Recreation Complex

Niche

Travel Math

North Carolina Demographics

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