Hatteras, North Carolina


Hatteras is an unincorporated village and census-designated place in Dare County, North Carolina, United States, on the Outer Banks island of Hatteras, at its extreme southwestern tip. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 504. Immediately to the west of the village of Hatteras is Hatteras Inlet which separates Hatteras Island from the neighboring Ocracoke Island. North Carolina Highway 12 passes through the community linking it to Frisco to the east and Ocracoke to the west.
The residents of Hatteras are governed by the Dare County Board of Commissioners. Hatteras is part of District 4, along with Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.

Attractions and recreation

Hatteras is best known as a fishing and vacation destination.
Watersports are plentiful on both the ocean-side and the sound-side of the village. Proximity to the convergence of the Labrador Current and the Gulf Stream result in the largest surf available on the East Coast. On the protected Pamlico Sound side of the island watersports such as windsurfing, kayaking, kiteboarding, and swimming are all readily available and accessible.
Fishing is a major source of recreation as well as revenue in Hatteras.
Pamlico Sound, which separates Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, is one of the largest estuarine systems in the world and offers a variety of fishing opportunities.

Climate

Hatteras has a humid subtropical climate. Hatteras experiences hot summers, somewhat moderated by the Atlantic Ocean, and some of the mildest winters in the entire state, with no month having an average low temperature below 40°F. Hatteras also shows signs of seasonal lag with September being as warm as June, and August as warm as July. Hatteras and Southport both are tied for the highest yearly average state temperature at 64.6°F. Because of its location many miles away from Mainland USA in the direct path of the gulf stream, Hatteras experiences year round temperatures similar to northern gulf Florida or Southern coastal Georgia despite being much farther North.

History

Hatteras was named after the Hatteras Indians.
Hatteras Village was cut off from the rest of the island on September 18, 2003, when Hurricane Isabel washed a and channel called Isabel Inlet at the north end of Hatteras village. The tear was subsequently repaired and restored by sand dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Ellsworth and Lovie Ballance House and Hatteras Weather Bureau Station are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Public services

Residents of Hatteras are served by the Cape Hatteras Elementary and Secondary School located on NC 12 in Buxton.
Hatteras is served by Billy Mitchell Airport

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