Caldwell County, North Carolina

Last updated

Caldwell County
Caldwell County Courthouse in Lenoir 03.jpg
Caldwell County Flag.gif
Caldwell County Seal.jpg
Caldwell County Logo.jpg
Nickname: 
The Gateway To The Blue Ridge
Map of North Carolina highlighting Caldwell County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina in United States.svg
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°58′N81°31′W / 35.97°N 81.51°W / 35.97; -81.51
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of North Carolina.svg  North Carolina
Founded1841
Named for Joseph Caldwell
Seat Lenoir
Largest communityLenoir
Area
  Total474.61 sq mi (1,229.2 km2)
  Land471.89 sq mi (1,222.2 km2)
  Water2.72 sq mi (7.0 km2)  0.57%
Population
 (2020)
  Total80,652
  Estimate 
(2023)
80,574
  Density170.91/sq mi (65.99/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 5th, 10th
Website www.caldwellcountync.org

Caldwell County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As of the 2020 census, the population was 80,652. [1] Its county seat is Lenoir. [2] Caldwell County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

History

The county was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke County and Wilkes County. It was named for Joseph Caldwell, presiding professor and the first president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

A series of reductions to the county's territory have taken place since its initial formation. 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

Caldwell County, North Carolina
Interactive map of Caldwell County
The rocky outcropping of Blowing Rock in the town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Blowing Rock.jpg
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 474.61 square miles (1,229.2 km2), of which 471.89 square miles (1,222.2 km2) is land and 2.72 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.57%) 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.

National protected areas

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850 6,317
1860 7,49718.7%
1870 8,47613.1%
1880 10,29121.4%
1890 12,29819.5%
1900 15,69427.6%
1910 20,57931.1%
1920 19,984−2.9%
1930 28,01640.2%
1940 35,79527.8%
1950 43,35221.1%
1960 49,55214.3%
1970 56,69914.4%
1980 67,74619.5%
1990 70,7094.4%
2000 77,4159.5%
2010 83,0297.3%
2020 80,652−2.9%
2023 (est.)80,574 [1] −0.1%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9]
1990–2000 [10] 2010 [11] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Caldwell County racial composition [12]
RaceNumberPercentage
White (non-Hispanic)67,86884.15%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)3,8434.76%
Native American 1960.24%
Asian 5270.65%
Pacific Islander 150.02%
Other/Mixed 3,2804.07%
Hispanic or Latino 4,9236.1%

As of the 2020 census, there were 80,652 people, 32,513 households, and 20,975 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, [13] there were 83,029 people, 33,388 households, and 23,456 families residing in the county. The population density was 176.1 people per square mile (68.0 people/km2). There were 37,659 housing units at an average density of 79.9 units per square mile (30.8 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.24% White, 4.92% Black or African American, 0.52% Asian, 0.31% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.47% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino (of any race) population was 4.57%.

There were 33,388 households, of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.16% were married couples living together, 12.52% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.75% were non-families. 25.39% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 41.16% of those households had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

Of the county's entire population, 22.63% was under the age of 18, 18.33% were 18 to 34, 22.44% were 35 to 49, 21.17% were 50 to 64, and 15.44% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females there were 96.84 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.06 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,853, and the median income for a family was $47,028. Males had a median income of $36,429 versus $31,221 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,397. About 15.3% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.8% of single mothers and 13.2% of people age 65 or over.

Government and politics

County government offices in Lenoir Scenes from Lenoir, North Carolina 02.jpg
County government offices in Lenoir

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners. [14] The members of the Board of Commissioners are Jeff Branch, Randy Church, Mike LaBrose, Donnie Potter, and Robbie Wilkie. [14] The Clerk to the Board is Abby Rich. [14] The County Manager is Donald E. Duncan Jr. and Deputy County Manager is Jimmy Harrison. [15] The Caldwell County Sheriff is Alan C. Jones. [16] The Clerk of Superior Court is Angela Ashley Kidd. [17] The county's Register of Deeds is Wayne Rash. [18] Caldwell County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments. [19]

In the North Carolina General Assembly, the county is represented by Republican Warren Daniel in the North Carolina Senate, as part of North Carolina Senate district 46, and by Republican Destin Hall in the North Carolina House of Representatives, as North Carolina House district 87. [20] [21]

Caldwell County is part of North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives and is represented by Republican Virginia Foxx. The county was moved from North Carolina's 11th congressional district in 2021 due to court ordered redistricting in North Carolina. North Carolina's congressional districts for 2023 and beyond have not yet been approved. [22] [23] [24] [25]

Caldwell County's partisan lean is very Republican. Of the county's elected legislative representatives at the county, state, and national level, all are Republicans. Since 2010, the average federal election vote in Caldwell County goes over 70% Republican. [26] [27] [28] [29] [30]

United States presidential election results for Caldwell County, North Carolina [31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 32,11974.99%10,24523.92%4651.09%
2016 26,62173.30%8,42523.20%1,2743.51%
2012 23,22966.88%10,89831.38%6051.74%
2008 22,52664.08%12,08134.36%5481.56%
2004 21,18667.58%9,99931.90%1630.52%
2000 17,33766.39%8,58832.89%1900.73%
1996 12,65355.18%8,05035.11%2,2289.72%
1992 12,54349.04%9,03335.32%4,00015.64%
1988 15,17665.78%7,86234.08%330.14%
1984 17,02469.79%7,31129.97%590.24%
1980 12,96558.11%8,73839.17%6072.72%
1976 9,87245.15%11,89454.39%1000.46%
1972 12,97671.41%4,88626.89%3091.70%
1968 10,43351.46%4,74623.41%5,09525.13%
1964 8,73344.60%10,84655.40%00.00%
1960 11,55356.98%8,72243.02%00.00%
1956 10,83361.22%6,86138.78%00.00%
1952 9,16054.87%7,53345.13%00.00%
1948 4,98746.24%5,03346.67%7657.09%
1944 4,36544.61%5,41955.39%00.00%
1940 3,00532.18%6,33467.82%00.00%
1936 3,42133.44%6,80966.56%00.00%
1932 3,75040.43%5,47959.07%460.50%
1928 4,20764.74%2,29135.26%00.00%
1924 2,50342.59%3,34856.97%260.44%
1920 3,29852.95%2,93147.05%00.00%
1916 1,65949.02%1,72550.98%00.00%
1912 48214.66%1,62749.50%1,17835.84%

Education

Elementary schools

K-8 schools

Middle schools

High schools

Alternative schools

Private schools

Independent school

College

Communities

Map of Caldwell County with municipal and township labels Map of Caldwell County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG
Map of Caldwell County with municipal and township labels

City

Towns

Village

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Townships in Caldwell County include: [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yadkin County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Yadkin County is located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,214. Its county seat is Yadkinville. Yadkin County is included in the Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro–Winston-Salem–High Point, NC Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilkes County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Wilkes County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is a part of the state's western mountain region. As of the 2020 census the population was 65,969. Its county seat is Wilkesboro, and its largest community is North Wilkesboro. Wilkes County comprises the North Wilkesboro, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watauga County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Watauga County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,086. Its county seat and largest community is Boone. The county is in an exceptionally mountainous region, known as the High Country. It is the home of Appalachian State University, which has approximately 20,023 students as of August 2020. Watauga County comprises the Boone, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surry County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 71,359. Its county seat is Dobson, and its largest community is Mount Airy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stokes County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Stokes County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,520. Its county seat is Danbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitchell County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Mitchell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,903. Its county seat is Bakersville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McDowell County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

McDowell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,578. Its county seat is Marion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iredell County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Iredell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 186,693. Its county seat is Statesville, and its largest community is Mooresville. The county was formed in 1788, subtracted from Rowan County. It is named for James Iredell, one of the first justices of the Supreme Court. Iredell County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, with data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haywood County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Haywood County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,089. The county seat and its largest community is Waynesville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forsyth County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Forsyth County is located in the northwest Piedmont of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 382,590, making it the fourth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Winston-Salem. Forsyth County is part of the Winston-Salem, NC, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro–Winston-Salem–High Point, NC, Combined Statistical Area. Portions of Forsyth County are in the Yadkin Valley wine region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davie County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Davie County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,712. Its county seat is Mocksville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burke County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 87,570. Its county seat is Morganton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avery County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Avery County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,806. The county seat is Newland. The county seat was initially established in Elk Park when the county was first formed, but was moved to Newland upon completion of the courthouse in 1912. Founded in 1911, it is the youngest of North Carolina's 100 counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Alexander County is a county established in the U.S. state of North Carolina in 1847. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,444. Its county seat is Taylorsville. Alexander County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamewell, North Carolina</span> Town in North Carolina, United States

Gamewell is a town in Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,051 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenoir, North Carolina</span> City in North Carolina, United States

Lenoir is a city in and the county seat of Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 18,263 at the 2020 census. Lenoir is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the northeast are the Brushy Mountains, a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hibriten Mountain, located just east of the city limits, marks the western end of the Brushy Mountains range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina's 10th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for North Carolina

North Carolina's 10th congressional district is a congressional district in central and western North Carolina. It currently includes all of Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Polk, and Rutherford counties, and part of Catawba, Iredell. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+22, it is the most Republican district in North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western North Carolina</span> Geographic region of the U.S. state of North Carolina

Western North Carolina is the region of North Carolina which includes the Appalachian Mountains; it is often known geographically as the state's Mountain Region. It contains the highest mountains in the Eastern United States, with 125 peaks rising to over 5,000 feet in elevation. Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet, is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains and mainland eastern North America. The population of the 23 most commonly associated counties for the region, as measured by the 2020 U.S. Census, is 1,149,405. The region accounts for approximately 11% of North Carolina's total population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina's 5th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for North Carolina

North Carolina's 5th congressional district covers the central western portion of North Carolina from the Appalachian Mountains to the western suburbs of the Piedmont Triad. The district borders Tennessee and Virginia, with the bulk of its territory in the mountains; it stretches just far enough to the east to grab its share of Forsyth County, home to most of its population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton metropolitan area</span> Metropolitan Statistical Area in North Carolina, United States

The Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties, Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, Alexander. It is located in the Catawba Valley region of western North Carolina. Local residents often refer to the area as The Unifour, although this name is largely unknown outside of the region.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts: Caldwell County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. "2014 AADT PDF Report" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  6. Infrastructure, Caldwell County Economic Development Commission (retrieved June 16, 2014)
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  13. "Caldwell County North Carolina Quickfacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 "Board of Commissioners | Caldwell County, NC". www.caldwellcountync.org. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  15. "Administration | Caldwell County, NC". caldwellcountync.org. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  16. "Caldwell County". ncsheriffs.org. 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  17. "11/06/2018 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - CALDWELL". ncsbe.gov. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  18. "About Your Register". Caldwell County Register of Deeds. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  19. "WPCOG". Western Piedmont Council of Governments. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  20. "Senator Warren Daniel (Republican, 2019-2020 Session)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  21. "Representative Destin Hall (Republican, 2017-2018 Session)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  22. "HB 1029, 3rd Edition map". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  23. "Representatives". house.gov. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  24. "Multitude of Candidates Have Filed for Avery County, State and Federal Government Offices; Foxx No Longer Will Represent Avery Following Court Ruling". highcountrypress.com/. High Country Press. December 20, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  25. "New NC political maps coming soon, as redistricting starts". newsobserver.com. The News & Observer. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  26. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  27. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  28. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  29. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  30. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  31. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  32. "Caldwell County Schools - School Directory". Caldwell County Schools. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  33. "ASU Center at Caldwell (located on the Hudson Campus of Caldwell Community College and Tech Institute)". Appalachian State University. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  34. "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved October 8, 2022.