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The population in Columbia town is 891, according to the 2010 census. It is located in Tyrrell County in North Carolina. It is on the eastern side of the Scuppernong River. In 1799, it became the county seat of Tyrrell County and got its name in 1801. It was first named Elizabethtown.
North Carolina’s Columbia is a small town with a lot to offer. It has numerous sites to visit. It also has a rich history for educational purposes. It is the perfect getaway destination with beautiful sites. The town is perfect for those who wish to escape the rush of the big city.
The town was later named after Sir John Tyrrell. He was one of the Lords Proprietors of the Carolina colony. Settlers avoided the area. This was because of the swamp forests, vast peat wetlands, and pocosins. They restricted penetration to the inner parts of the town. It was vastly populated into the 20th century.
There is a representative slave era plantation in the area. It was functional in the 18th century and was known as Somerset Place. It was home to 300 men, women, and children of African descent. The lives and work of the slaves are interpreted on the site.
Columbia is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Columbia is governed by an Alderman or Manager style government. The Aldermen are elected every four years. The mayor is elected every two years.
Once the Board of Aldermen are elected, they hire the Town Manager. The manager serves at the discretion of the board. The Manager guides and implements policies made by the Board of Aldermen. He or she also provides management of municipal operations.
The Town Board of Aldermen meet the first Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. They meet in the Town Municipal Building at 103 Main Street in Columbia. Time is provided during each meeting for public comment. Anyone wishing to be placed on the meeting agenda should contact the Town Manager.
The town makes use of Advisory Boards, Committees, and Commissions. They provide management with public input. These serve an important role in management and governance. They give guidance and suggestions to the Board of Aldermen. Their aim is to represent the wishes of citizens.
The community of Columbia is made of Black residents. They comprise 51.6% of the total while white residents make up 40.4%. Hispanic individuals are at 7.9%. The Asian community is 0.5% and is predominantly Vietnamese.
Most of the people in the town are young. People below 35 years make up 44.4% of the population. Those above the age of 65 are 18.9%. However, the population is aging. Those between ages 35-54 are more compared to during the ‘90s. “There were 341 households. Of these, 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 30.8% were married couples living together and 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present. 34.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.93.” Wikipedia
Land and property value has increased in Colombia. This is mainly because of how close it is to the Outer Banks. It has also led to a change in demographics.
Columbia has a small-town fellowship. It provides friendliness and fun to residents and tourists. A great example is the Scuppernong River Festival. It occurs annually on the second Saturday of October. The festival attracts 8,000 to 10,000 people to the downtown area. Many of the activities are sponsored by local institutions. Clubs, churches, local organizations, and government agencies all take part. The climate along the Scuppernong River is mild. It allows the perfect setting for the festival.
Columbia holds an annual Christmas celebration. The River Town Christmas is a four-day event. It takes place from Thursday to Sunday in December. The event ends with the Columbia High School Christmas Concert. There are a number of activities to be enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Some of the recurring activities include:
· A flotilla arriving on the dock with Santa Claus
· La Posada
· Bazaar
· Live nativity scene
· Home and business decorating contest
· Annual Christmas Parade
· Shopping
The Fire Department is managed by Fire Chief Johnny Spencer. It is an incorporated organization and works only with volunteers. The department is under contract with the Town of Columbia. The contract allows the department to offer fire protection services.
It has 60 members. Each member attends a 36-hour training every year. The station’s chief is elected by the members. The chief appoints all assistants. It is managed by a 9-member Board of Directors.
There is one main station in Columbia. There are five sub-stations in Tyrell County. The department’s fire rating is six because of the contract with the town of Columbia. This rating allows a lower insurance rate for residents of the town.
Columbia Town in North Carolina has many great attractions. Some of these include:
1. Columbia Municipal Docks
2. Boardwalk Interpretive Trail
3. Columbia Theatre Cultural Resources Center
4. Columbia Walking Tour
5. Eastern 4-H Center
6. Palmetto-Peartree Preserves
7. Pocosin Arts
8. Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
9. Red Wolf Coalition
10. River Roaming
11. Somerset Place
12. Southern Dreams Gallery
13. Tyrell County Visitors Center
14. Vineyards on the Scuppernong
15. Walter B. Jones Center for the Sounds
16. Pettigrew State Park
Information about these incredible sites can be found on the town’s official website.
Some of the maintenance services of the town include:
· Law Enforcement
The office of the County Sheriff's is open to all. It is located on 405 Main Street.
· Fire
The Tyrell County Fire Department is responsible for all Columbia fires.
· Animal Control
The Animal Control Officer is Cecil Lilley. All residents are required to register their pets at the Town Hall.
· Public Works
· Garbage Pick-up and Recycling
Management and governing bodies work together to provide these services for the residents. Questions about these services can be addressed to either the town or county offices.
Then you don't want to miss out on our complete list of historic sites and other attractions here: The Historic Albemarle Trail. Get your History on!!
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
