Exploring Bolivia: A North Carolina Gem

Bolivia is a small, close-knit town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It has a population of around 140-160 people and is named after the country in South America. The town was settled by European Americans in the 1890s and became incorporated in 1911. In 1977, Bolivia became the county seat of Brunswick County, and a new government complex was built. Bolivia is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located near cities such as Oak Island, Southport, and Holden Beach.

Bolivia, North Carolina's history

Bolivia, North Carolina, is a small town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. The town was settled by European Americans in the 1890s and was incorporated in 1911. It is believed that the town was named after the country in South America due to the number of boxes being shipped from the area with "Bolivia" written on them. Bolivia has a rich history that can be traced back to the late 19th century.

In the early days, Bolivia served as a minor crossroad for the only highway connecting the Cape Fear region to South Carolina, specifically from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Georgetown, South Carolina. Wilmington, a bustling city and major port, and Georgetown, a centre for naval stores, played significant roles in the region's development. The original King's Highway, conceived by King Charles II, was built along the North Carolina coast and eventually became U.S. Highway 17 in the late 1920s, one of the earliest well-paved highways in North and South Carolina.

During the 1930s and early 1940s, Bolivia experienced a mini-boom with a thriving steam-powered sawmill and planing mill. The U.S. Government issued contracts to this operation during World War II for the production of shipping crates. At this time, Bolivia had two country stores, one restaurant, two churches, and two car dealerships.

After World War II, things slowed down, but a new Ford dealership and gas stations were erected. However, when U.S. Highway 17 was expanded to four lanes, it bypassed Bolivia, leading to an economic decline as visitors and customers were drawn away. The Ford dealership and small restaurants closed their doors, and the town returned to its quiet, laid-back nature.

In 1977, a significant change occurred when the county seat of Brunswick County was moved from Southport to Bolivia through a county-wide referendum. This decision stimulated business growth in Bolivia as it became the centre of government operations. The Brunswick County Government Complex was built on the outskirts of the town, and the new county seat began to grow modestly, in line with the attitudes of its residents. The completion of the government complex and the arrival of Brunswick Community College attracted new businesses, including a car dealership, gas stations, restaurants, and even the Faircloth Zoo.

Today, Bolivia remains a small town with a population of around 143 as of the 2020 census. It continues to be the county seat of Brunswick County and is known for its rural setting and laid-back lifestyle.

Population and demographics

Bolivia, North Carolina is a town in Brunswick County. It was settled by European Americans in the 1890s and was incorporated in 1911. The population of Bolivia was 143 at the 2020 census, making it the 690th most populated city in the state of North Carolina. The 2024 projected population for Bolivia is 277, assuming a 22% increase. The population density in Bolivia is 28% higher than the rest of North Carolina.

The racial composition of Bolivia is predominantly White (96.62%-99.44%), with small percentages of African Americans (1.35%), Native Americans (1.35%), and people from two or more races (0.68%). 4.75% of the population is of Hispanic or Latino origin. The median age of residents in Bolivia is 43.2 years, which is 63% higher than the median age in North Carolina.

In terms of households, there were 58 households in the town in 2000, which increased to 71 in 2020. The average household size was 2.55, and the average family size was 2.84. The median income for a household in the town was $33,125, while the median income for a family was $35,625. There was a slight gender income gap, with males having a median income of $26,250 and females $20,000. The per capita income for the town was $12,973. Unfortunately, 7.3% of families and 13.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under eighteen years old.

Economic growth and decline

Bolivia, North Carolina, is a town in Brunswick County. The town was settled by European Americans in the 1890s and was incorporated in 1911. It has a population of around 150 people, making it one of the least populous county seats in the state.

Brunswick County, North Carolina, has experienced significant economic growth and decline over the years. Here is an overview of the county's economic trajectory:

Economic Growth:

• Tourism: Brunswick County's economy is largely driven by tourism. Beach communities such as Bald Head Island and Oak Island are popular destinations. The county's proximity to Cinespace Wilmington has also made it a sought-after filming location for movies and TV shows.
• Population Growth: Between 2000 and 2020, Brunswick County's population grew from 73,143 to 136,693, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina. This population growth has contributed to the local economy, particularly in the food service and retail sectors.
• Suburban Expansion: Much of the county's growth is centred in the eastern section, in the suburbs of Wilmington, such as Leland, Belville, and Southport. This expansion has likely spurred economic development in those areas.
• Education: Brunswick Community College, located in Bolivia, is one of the largest universities in the county, awarding 454 degrees in 2022. Education is a vital sector for the local economy, employing many residents.
• Healthcare: Healthcare is the largest employment sector in Brunswick County, with 8,061 people working in this industry. This indicates a strong healthcare sector contributing to the county's economic growth.
• Construction: Construction is another significant industry in the county, employing 5,560 people. The expansion of suburbs and the construction of new infrastructure projects likely fuel this sector.
• Retirement Destination: Brunswick County has attracted many retirees, and a substantial amount of income is generated through dividends, pensions, and Social Security payments. This influx of retirees has likely boosted the local economy.

Economic Decline:

• Bypassed by Highway Expansion: When U.S. Highway 17 was expanded to four lanes and bypassed Bolivia, the town experienced an economic decline as visitors and retail customers were drawn away. Businesses suffered, and the town lapsed into a quieter state.
• Limited Workforce Participation: Due to the large number of retirees, less than half of Brunswick County's residents participate in the workforce. This could potentially hinder economic growth as a smaller proportion of the population contributes to the local economy.
• Commuting Outside the County: A significant number of those who do work commute outside the county, which may result in a brain drain and reduced economic activity within Brunswick County itself.
• Poverty and Income Inequality: While the county has experienced overall economic growth, there are still pockets of poverty. In 2022, 9.08% of the population lived below the poverty line, and there were disparities in income between males and females, with males earning 1.31 times more than females.

Transportation and infrastructure

Bolivia, North Carolina, is a town in Brunswick County, in the United States. It has a small population of 143 people, as of the 2020 census. The town is named after the country of Bolivia in South America, due to the number of boxes being shipped from the area with 'Bolivia' written on them.

Brunswick County does not own, build, or maintain roads, as per North Carolina state statutes. County taxes are not used to support road maintenance or construction. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) owns and maintains most major roadways in unincorporated areas of the county. Roads in Brunswick County are classified as either state roads, municipal roads, or private roads.

The Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO), the Grand Strands Area Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (GSATS MPO), and the Cape Fear Rural Transportation Planning Organization (CFRPO) all support the NCDOT in its state road transportation planning.

The Planning Department has several transportation planning goals, including assisting in education about the transportation planning process and advocating for an efficient multi-modal transportation system.

The town of Bolivia was once a minor crossroad of the only highway from the Cape Fear region to South Carolina. This highway, U.S. Route 17 (Old Ocean Highway), passes through the centre of the town, while a newer bypass (Ocean Highway) skirts it to the northwest. The bypass was constructed to improve traffic flow but drew visitors and retail customers away from the town, causing an economic decline.

In the 1930s, Greyhound and Trailways buses stopped at Bolivia, and the town had a gas station and a general store. The Wimington, Bolivia, and Southport Railroad also served the town, taking passengers and freight between the three towns.

During the 1930s and early 1940s, Bolivia had a thriving steam-powered sawmill and planing mill, which produced shipping crates for the U.S. military during World War II. At this time, the town also had two country stores, one restaurant, a boarding house, and two churches.

After World War II, a new Ford dealership was built, along with some newer gas stations and restaurants. A small brick high school was built during the Great Depression, serving all twelve grades.

In the 1980s, U.S. Highway 17 was expanded to four lanes, bypassing the town of Bolivia and leading to a decline in traffic and business for the town. The Ford dealership closed, and some restaurants shut down.

In 1977, the county seat of Brunswick County was moved from Southport to Bolivia, which stimulated business and helped the town grow. The Brunswick County Government Complex and the Brunswick Community College were built on the outskirts of the town, and new businesses arrived, including a car dealership, gas stations, and restaurants.

Local attractions and amenities

Bolivia, North Carolina, is a small town in Brunswick County with a population of 143 people, according to the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Brunswick County and is named after the country in South America.

The Brunswick County Government Center is located in Bolivia, and the town also has a post office, which has been in operation since 1892.

The Brunswick Nature Park is a local attraction, and there are several places to eat and drink in the town, including The Office Coffee & Wine Bar.

The nearest large town is Wilmington, which is 18 miles northeast of Bolivia. Here, there are many more attractions, including the Bellamy Mansion Museum, the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens, and the Cape Fear Museum. Wilmington also has a riverwalk and several beaches.

There are several other towns near Bolivia, including Southport, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Leland, and Kure Beach. Southport is a seaside town with a marina and several parks, including the Southport Oak Island Coastal Reserve. Oak Island features a county park with a playground and beach access, and there is also a golf course on the island. Holden Beach is a small seaside town with a fishing pier and a park with a playground and picnic area. Leland has several parks, including a large sports complex, and Kure Beach offers a quiet beach experience with a fishing pier and a park with walking trails.

The Boiling Spring Lakes Motel and Fairfield Inn & Suites Southport are two accommodation options in the area.

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