Columbus County
Columbus County,
North Carolina, named for explorer
Christopher Columbus, stretches across more than 950 square miles. Formed
from sections of the counties of
Bladen and
Brunswick in 1808, this delightful patchwork of southern communities offers
its residents a fine balance of business and recreation.
Business opportunities abound in Columbus County, where
companies such as
Coca-Cola Bottling Company,
Columbus Regional Healthcare System,
Georgia-Pacific Corporation and
Progress Energy continue to prosper. Columbus County lies equidistant
between
Canada and
Key West, with easy access to highways such as
Interstate 95 and
US 74. Such a centralized location sets the stage for the pro-business
communities of Columbus County as well as various nationwide business markets.
A short, one hour drive provides access to the bustling
City of Wilmington, while major cities such as
Atlanta,
Charleston,
Charlotte,
Raleigh and
Washington D.C. are a mere half day’s drive outside of Columbus County, NC.
Additionally, the
Port of Charleston and the
Port of Wilmington, both of which are among the busiest terminals in the
United States, are within a reasonable driving distance of Columbus County.
The
2000 Census counted 55,000 residents that lived throughout Columbus County’s
fifteen townships. Columbus County’s largest incorporated areas include
Chadbourn,
Fair Bluff,
Lake Waccamaw,
Tabor City and
Whiteville. Several of the smaller towns hold populations below 1,000
residents. These include
Boardman,
Bolton,
Brunswick,
Cerro Gordo,
Evergreen and
Nakina.
Chadbourn, population 2,129, plays host to
the
North Carolina Strawberry Festival each May. This vibrant community, also
known as the “Sunny South Colony”, is home to the
Chadbourn Depot Museum. Fair Bluff, population 1,181, also contributes to
the area’s summer fun by hosting the annual
Southeastern North Carolina Watermelon Festival each July. The waterfront
community of Fair Bluff affords spectacular views from its position along the
banks of the beautiful
Lumber River. Visitors to the area enjoy “Wild & Scenic” canoe and kayak
tours through the area. Lake Waccamaw is home to the annual Winter Festival
each December. Popular destinations in Lake Waccamaw include the
Green Swamp, the
Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum and the
State Park and Visitor Center. In addition, the local landscape features a
fascinating array of rare plants like the
Venus Flytrap and unique species such as the
Waccamaw Killifish. The population is 1,411.
Located at the southernmost tip of
Columbus County, Tabor City is home to more than 2,500 residents. Affectionately
called the “Yam Capital of the World”, Tabor City pays homage to its namesake
via the annual
North Carolina Yam Festival each October. Whiteville,
population 5,148, serves as the center of commerce and the seat of Columbus
County. Renowned for community celebrations such as the Fire Ant Festival and
the
North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival, Whiteville features a lovely downtown
area with unique shops, a wide array of local cuisine and is home to the
North Carolina Museum of Forestry.
Columbus County,
North Carolina embodies the historic South, while moving headlong into the
future. Enviable communities, coupled with access to major urban areas such as
Myrtle Beach and
Wilmington ranks Columbus County among NC’s finest places to live, work and
raise a family. |
