St. Pauls is a town in Robeson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,045 at the 2020 census.

History

The town of St. Pauls was built up around St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, which was built on land donated in 1799 by William Davis. St. Pauls grew slowly from a town of just the church, Davis' home, a post office, and a livery stable. The livery was built at the 16-mile post on the Fayetteville to Lumberton stage coach road. Growth began in earnest following the construction of the Robeson Institute, a co-educational school that served the children of northern Robeson County.

The construction of the Virginia and Carolina Southern Railway through St. Pauls helped establish the community as a leading producer of textiles. Three cotton mills were constructed in the early part of the 20th century. The mills experienced periods of success and failure before coming under the control of the Burlington Mills Corporation in 1943.

In 1969 St. Pauls' schools integrated. The former high school for African Americans became an elementary school.

Sights

The Gilmore-Patterson Farm and Kenneth McKinnon House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, St. Pauls had a population of 2,045. The median age was 40.7 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.1 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 850 households in St. Pauls, including 463 families. Of all households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 35.1% were married-couple households, 22.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

!Race

!Num.

!Perc.

|-

|White (non-Hispanic)

|865

|42.3%

|-

|Black or African American (non-Hispanic)

|346

|16.92%

|-

|Native American

|118

|5.77%

|-

|Asian

|8

|0.39%

|-

|Pacific Islander

|1

|0.05%

|-

|Other/Mixed

|77

|3.77%

|-

|Hispanic or Latino

|630

|30.81%

|}

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 2,035 people living in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 48.9% White, 18.5% Black, 5.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race and 1.7% from two or more races. 25.1% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2000 census

As of the census Bulldogs are the school's mascot.

Sports

The Carolina Raging Wolves of the Women's Football Alliance played at St. Pauls High School, located in the town.

Notable people

  • John Beard, news anchor, was born in St. Pauls.
  • Judy Clay, soul and gospel singer, was born in St. Pauls.

References

Works cited

  • Official website
  • St. Pauls Chamber of Commerce