Atlantic, North Carolina

Not to be confused with Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.

Atlantic, North Carolina
Census-designated place
Atlantic
Coordinates: 34°52′35″N76°19′09″W / 34.87639°N 76.31917°W / 34.87639; -76.31917
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Carteret
Area [1]
• Total	0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2)
• Land	0.92 sq mi (2.38 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation [2]	0 ft (0 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	468
• Density	508.70/sq mi (196.46/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	28511
Area code	252
FIPS code	37-02480 [3]
GNIS feature ID	1026498 [2]

Atlantic is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in eastern Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 543. ^[4] It is situated along Core Sound, located in what was known to early settlers of the area as Hunting Quarters. It is the location of the eastern terminus of US-70, and the ferry terminal for access to North Core Banks in the Cape Lookout National Seashore.

The community is located east of the United States Marine Corps installation MCOLF Atlantic which is primarily used for helicopter and aggressor force exercises. The installation sees limited use but is staffed around the clock by a security unit from MCAS Cherry Point.

Atlantic is home to Luther L. Smith and Son Seafood, the last operating fish house in the town. Drum Inlet Marina, the most suitable location to embark to the Outer Banks, is a full-service harbor. Commercial fishing has long been the primary means of earning a living in this community.

Atlantic was the site of the first public high school in Carteret County. It was an incorporated community from 1905 until 1920. It had three different mayors during this time.

Geography

The Atlantic CDP has a total area of 0.93 square miles (2.4 km²), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km²), or 2.00%, is water. ^[4] Little Port Brook separates two roads (Old US 70) from the other side, so it results in a dead end coming from both directions. Many believe that there used to be an old bridge where the harbor is today, since the road aligns, but it was taken out when the marina was put in. Now, US 70% ends before the separation, at the corner of Morris Dr and Seashore Dr, about 2500 feet away from the harbor.

By the Core Sound Loop Rd, near the White Point Take Out, (On the other side), there is also a dead end sign facing south towards the harbor as well.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	468		—
U.S. Decennial Census [5]

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Atlantic, North Carolina
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Atlantic CDP, North Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.

Sources

• Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields in SE NC (Since World War II MCOLF Atlantic has been a satellite airfield of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Though it is not in daily use anymore, it is used on a regular basis for training operations by the Marine Corps and other Military organizations.)