Caldwell County, North Carolina

Caldwell County, North Carolina

Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Caldwell County
Location in the state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1841
Named for Joseph Caldwell
Seat Lenoir
Largest city Lenoir
Area
 • Total 474 sq mi (1,228 km2)
 • Land 472 sq mi (1,222 km2)
 • Water 2.7 sq mi (7 km2), 0.6%
Population
 • (2010) 83,029
 • Density 176/sq mi (68/km²)
Congressional district 11th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.caldwell.nc.us

Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 83,029.[1] Its county seat is Lenoir.[2]

Caldwell County is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke County and Wilkes County. It was named for Joseph Caldwell, presiding professor (1796–1797, 1799–1804) and the first president (1804–1812, 1816–1835) of the University of North Carolina.

A series of reductions in the county's territory followed. In 1847 parts of Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County were combined to form Alexander County. In 1849 parts of Caldwell County, Ashe County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County were combined to form Watauga County. In 1861, parts of Caldwell County, Burke County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County were combined to form Mitchell County. Finally, in 1911 parts of Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County were combined to form Avery County.

Geography

The rocky outcropping of Blowing Rock in the town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 472 square miles (1,220 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3]

Caldwell County is divided into three distinct geographic sections: the Blue Ridge Mountains, which dominate the northern and western parts of the county; the gently rolling Piedmont country in the middle and southern parts of the county; and the Brushy Mountains, an isolated remnant of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The "Brushies", as they are often called, run across much of Caldwell County's eastern section. Hibriten Mountain, located within the city limits of Lenoir, the county's largest city, marks the western end of the Brushy Mountain range. In the western part of the county is the Wilson Creek area.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18506,317—
18607,49718.7%
18708,47613.1%
188010,29121.4%
189012,29819.5%
190015,69427.6%
191020,57931.1%
192019,984−2.9%
193028,01640.2%
194035,79527.8%
195043,35221.1%
196049,55214.3%
197056,69914.4%
198067,74619.5%
199070,7094.4%
200077,4159.5%
201083,0297.3%
Est. 201481,484[4]−1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2014[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 77,415 people, 30,768 households, and 22,399 families residing in the county. The population density was 164 people per square mile (63/km²). There were 33,430 housing units at an average density of 71 per square mile (27/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.74% White, 5.46% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 2.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,768 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,739, and the median income for a family was $41,665. Males had a median income of $28,820 versus $21,850 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,353. About 7.60% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, who appoint a County Manager. The members of the Board of Commissioners are Chairman Jeff Branch, Vice Chairman Clay Bollinger, Chris Barlowe, Randy Church, and Mike LaBrose.[10]

Caldwell County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

Transportation

Major highways

Railroads

Caldwell County has one railroad, the Caldwell County Railroad which interchanges with the Norfolk Southern Railway in Hickory, North Carolina.[11]

Communities

Map of Caldwell County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  7. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  9. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  10. ↑ "Commissioners". Caldwell County Government. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  11. ↑ Infrastructure, Caldwell County Economic Development Commission (retrieved 16 June 2014)

External links

 Avery County Watauga County Wilkes County
Alexander County
   Caldwell County, North Carolina  
Burke County Catawba County

Coordinates: 35°57′N 81°33′W / 35.95°N 81.55°W / 35.95; -81.55

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