Biscoe, North Carolina

History

The area was formerly called "Filo". The current name was adopted in 1895.

Biscoe's past was dependent on the railroad industry, and it was once an important repair center for railroad equipment. The Aberdeen and West End Railroad (owned by the Page family of Aberdeen, North Carolina) completed a branch to Star from Filo (current Biscoe) in 1895. The A & W. E. R.R. was merged into the Aberdeen and Asheboro Railroad in 1897.

Biscoe was incorporated in 1901.

Geography

Biscoe is in eastern Montgomery County. U.S. Route 220 Alternate and North Carolina Highways 24 and 27 cross in the center of town. US 220 Alt leads north 13 mi to Seagrove and south 5 mi to Candor. Highways 24 and 27 together lead west 6 mi to Troy (the Montgomery county seat) and 28 mi to Albemarle, and east 23 mi to Carthage. The Interstate 73/Interstate 74/U.S. Route 220 freeway passes through the east side of Biscoe, with access from Exit 49 (NC 24/27); the freeway leads north 26 mi to Asheboro and south 32 mi to Rockingham.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Biscoe has a total area of 2.9 sqmi, all land. The town sits on a ridge which drains west to tributaries of the Little River, part of the Pee Dee River watershed, and east to Lick Creek, part of the Deep River watershed leading to the Cape Fear River.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,848 people, 600 households, and 498 families residing in the town.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,700 people, 535 households, and 393 families residing in the town. The population density was 855.8 /mi2. There were 572 housing units at an average density of 287.9 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 58.35% White, 24.47% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 15.47% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23.24% of the population.

There were 535 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.4% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.97 and the average family size was 3.42.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,667, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $23,214 versus $21,089 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,302. About 8.5% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

Former U.S. Congressman Larry Kissell is a resident of Biscoe.

Former WRAL-TV news anchor Charlie Gaddy grew up in Biscoe.

References

References

1. "2024 U.S. Gazetteer Files: North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
2. "P1. Race – Biscoe town, North Carolina: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
3. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
4. {{GNIS. 2405268
5. "About Town of Biscoe".
6. Johnson, Charles M.. "A Brief and Rambling Account of Biscoe, North Carolina, During the 1930's".
7. "Biscoe".
8. "Town of Star NC History".
9. Lowell McKay, Whatley. (1985). "The Architectural History of Randolph County North Carolina". City of Asheboro, the County of Randolph and the N.C. Division of Archives and History.
10. (April 14, 2021). "TOWN OF BISCOE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING Special Session".
11. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
12. "Explore Census Data".