Duck, North Carolina

Duck is a town in Dare County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2010 census the year round population was 369. During the peak vacation season, starting after Memorial Day, the population increases to over 20,000. Duck is the northernmost incorporated town in Dare County and the Outer Banks' newest town, incorporated on May 1, 2002. Duck offers visitors outdoor recreational activities, summer events and concerts, watersports, fine dining, world class shopping, art galleries, and a nationally known jazz festival, as well as the 11acre Town Park and soundside boardwalk.GeographyDuck is located along the northern Outer Banks, between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Currituck Sound to the west. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.6km2, of which 6.3sqkm is land and 3.4sqkm, or 35.02% is water. Originally part of Currituck County to the north, the stretch of the Outer Banks which includes Duck was transferred to Dare County in the early 20th century. The region was named for the many ducks and waterfowl in the area.Tourist attractionsThe town park is a recreational facility with trails through the maritime forest and willow swamp. It also has an amphitheater, playground, picnic shelter, and public kayak/canoeing launch. The town has built a boardwalk which can be accessed from the park and through the commercial village. The boardwalk extends along Currituck Sound. Duck's beach was named one of the "Top 15 Family-Friendly Beaches in America".