Population: 5,052

Form of Government: Commissioners/Manager

Mayor: Betsy Mofield

Town Manager: Bill Zell

Phone number: (910) 944-1115

Address: 115 N. Poplar St., 28315

Web site: www.townofaberdeen.net

Incorporation: 1893

Aberdeen, unlike newer neighboring resort towns, was a flourishing community as early as the 1760s.

Located near the intersection of important regional roads, the town became the access point to two major railroads. Originally, Aberdeen was named Bethesda, then Blue's Crossing and, finally, Aberdeen for the city in Scotland.

Lumber, turpentine, industry and commerce were economic mainstays.

Today, the Aberdeen Historic District includes 88 acres and more than 100 buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Antiques and collectible shops as well as Union Station are located there.

Skirting the historic area is a thriving commercial strip that stretches along U.S. 1 into Southern Pines.