List of counties in North Carolina

The U.S. state of North Carolina is divided into 100 counties. North Carolina ranks 28th in size by area, but has the seventh-highest number of counties in the country.[1]

Counties of North Carolina

LocationState of North Carolina
Number100
Populations4,364 (Tyrrell) – 1,012,539 (Mecklenburg)
Areas221 square miles (570 km2) (Clay) – 1,562 square miles (4,050 km2) (Dare)
GovernmentCounty government
Subdivisionscities, towns, townships, unincorporated communities, census designated place

Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, King Charles II rewarded eight persons on March 24, 1663, for their faithful support of his efforts to regain the throne of England. He gave the eight grantees, called Lords Proprietor, the land called Carolina, in honor of King Charles I, his father. The Province of Carolina, from 1663 to 1729, was a North American English (1663–1707), then British (from 1707 union with Scotland) colony. In 1729, the Province of North Carolina became a separate entity from the Province of South Carolina.[2]

The establishment of North Carolina counties stretches over 240 years, beginning in 1668 with the creation of Albemarle County and ending with the 1911 creation of Avery and Hoke counties. Five counties have been divided or abolished altogether, the last being Dobbs County in 1791.

The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS),[3] which is used by the United States government to uniquely identify states and counties, is provided with each entry. North Carolina's FIPS code is 37, which when combined with the county code is written as 37XXX.

List
County
 FIPS code
[3]		 County seat
[4]		 Est.
[4]		 Origin
[5]		 Etymology
[5]		 Pop.
(2017 est.)[6]		 Area
[4][7]		 Map
Alamance County 001 Graham1849Orange CountyThe Battle of Alamance which was derived from the local Indian word meaning ""blue clay"" found in the Great Alamance Creek 157,844 435 sq mi
(1,127 km2)
Alexander County 003 Taylorsville1847Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes CountyWilliam J. Alexander, member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons 37,159 263 sq mi
(681 km2)
Alleghany County 005 Sparta1859Ashe CountyDerived from a corruption of the Delaware Indian name for the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers and is said to have meant ""a fine stream"" 10,935 236 sq mi
(611 km2)
Anson County 007 Wadesboro1750Bladen CountyGeorge, Lord Anson (1697–1762), a celebrated English admiral who circumnavigated the globe 25,531 537 sq mi
(1,391 km2)
Ashe County 009 Jefferson1799Wilkes CountySamuel Ashe (1725–1813), a Revolutionary patriot, superior court judge, and governor of North Carolina 26,833 427 sq mi
(1,106 km2)
Avery County 011 Newland1911Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga CountyWaightstill Avery (1741–1821), a soldier of the Revolution and Attorney General of North Carolina 17,535 247 sq mi
(640 km2)
Beaufort County 013 Washington1712Bath CountyHenry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, who in 1709 became one of the Lords Proprietor 47,316 959 sq mi
(2,484 km2)
Bertie County 015 Windsor1722Chowan CountyJames or Henry Bertie, two Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina 19,913 741 sq mi
(1,919 km2)
Bladen County 017 Elizabethtown1734New Hanover CountyMartin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade 34,130 887 sq mi
(2,297 km2)
Brunswick County 019 Bolivia1764Bladen County and New Hanover CountyGeorge I of Great Britain (1660–1727), Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg 122,586 860 sq mi
(2,227 km2)
Buncombe County 021 Asheville1791Burke County and Rutherford CountyEdward Buncombe, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Germantown, and died a paroled prisoner in Philadelphia 252,268 660 sq mi
(1,709 km2)
Burke County 023 Morganton1777Rowan CountyThomas Burke (1747–1783), a member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina 88,898 515 sq mi
(1,334 km2)
Cabarrus County 025 Concord1792Mecklenburg CountyStephen Cabarrus (1754–1808), member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons 196,716 365 sq mi
(945 km2)
Caldwell County 027 Lenoir1841Burke County and Wilkes CountyJoseph Caldwell (1773–1835), the first president of the University of North Carolina 81,805 474 sq mi
(1,228 km2)
Camden County 029 Camden1777Pasquotank CountyCharles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (1714–1794), who opposed the taxation of the American colonists 10,336 306 sq mi
(793 km2)
Carteret County 031 Beaufort1722Craven CountyJohn Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret 68,699 1,341 sq mi
(3,473 km2)
Caswell County 033 Yanceyville1777Orange CountyRichard Caswell (1729–1789), member of the first Continental Congress and first governor of North Carolina after the Declaration of Independence 22,833 428 sq mi
(1,109 km2)
Catawba County 035 Newton1842Lincoln CountyCatawba Indians 156,182 414 sq mi
(1,072 km2)
Chatham County 037 Pittsboro1771Orange CountyWilliam Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain 68,364 709 sq mi
(1,836 km2)
Cherokee County 039 Murphy1839Macon CountyCherokee Indians 27,463 497 sq mi
(1,287 km2)
Chowan County 041 Edenton1668Albemarle CountyChowan Indian tribe 14,370 233 sq mi
(603 km2)
Clay County 043 Hayesville1861Cherokee CountyHenry Clay (1777–1852), statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate 10,753 221 sq mi
(572 km2)
Cleveland County 045 Shelby1841Lincoln County and Rutherford CountyBenjamin Cleveland (1738–1806), a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain 97,038 469 sq mi
(1,215 km2)
Columbus County 047 Whiteville1808Bladen County and Brunswick CountyChristopher Columbus (1451–1507), navigator, explorer, and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas 56,589 954 sq mi
(2,471 km2)
Craven County 049 New Bern1705Bath CountyWilliam, Earl of Craven (1608–1697), who was a Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina 103,374 774 sq mi
(2,005 km2)
Cumberland County 051 Fayetteville1754Bladen CountyPrince William, Duke of Cumberland (1721–1765), a military leader and son of George II 332,766 658 sq mi
(1,704 km2)
Currituck County 053 Currituck1668Albemarle CountyTraditionally said to be an Indian word for wild geese, also rendered ""Coratank"" 25,247 526 sq mi
(1,362 km2)
Dare County 055 Manteo1870Currituck County, Hyde County, and Tyrrell CountyVirginia Dare (b. 1587), the first child born of English parents in America 35,412 1,562 sq mi
(4,046 km2)
Davidson County 057 Lexington1822Rowan CountyWilliam Lee Davidson (1746–1781), an American Revolutionary War general who was mortally wounded at Cowan's Ford 164,118 567 sq mi
(1,469 km2)
Davie County 059 Mocksville1836Rowan CountyWilliam Richardson Davie (1756–1820), a member of the Federal Convention and governor of North Carolina 41,766 267 sq mi
(692 km2)
Duplin County 061 Kenansville1750New Hanover CountyThomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin (1710–1787), who was the 9th earl of Kinnoull 59,350 819 sq mi
(2,121 km2)
Durham County 063 Durham1881Orange County and Wake CountyThe city of Durham which was named in honor of Dr. Bartlett Snipes Durham who donated the land on which the railroad station was located 300,865 298 sq mi
(772 km2)
Edgecombe County 065 Tarboro1741Bertie CountyRichard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe (1680–1758), a Lord High Treasurer and Paymaster-General for Ireland 54,032 507 sq mi
(1,313 km2)
Forsyth County 067 Winston-Salem1849Stokes CountyBenjamin Forsyth (d. 1814), an American officer during the War of 1812 368,362 413 sq mi
(1,070 km2)
Franklin County 069 Louisburg1779Bute CountyBenjamin Franklin (1706–1790), an author, politician, statesman, and Founding Father of the United States 63,866 495 sq mi
(1,282 km2)
Gaston County 071 Gastonia1846Lincoln CountyWilliam Gaston (1778–1844), a United States Congressman and justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court 214,049 364 sq mi
(943 km2)
Gates County 073 Gatesville1779Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans CountyHoratio Gates (1727–1806), an American general during the Revolution at the Battle of Saratoga 11,601 346 sq mi
(896 km2)
Graham County 075 Robbinsville1872Cherokee CountyWilliam Alexander Graham (1804–1875), a United States Senator, governor of North Carolina, and United States Secretary of the Navy 8,607 302 sq mi
(782 km2)
Granville County 077 Oxford1746Edgecombe CountyJohn Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret 58,503 537 sq mi
(1,391 km2)
Greene County 079 Snow Hill1799Dobbs County
Originally named Glasgow County		Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War 21,059 266 sq mi
(689 km2)
Guilford County 081 Greensboro1771Orange County and Rowan CountyFrancis North, 1st Earl of Guilford (1704–1790), a British politician and father of Prime Minister of Great Britain Frederick North 517,197 658 sq mi
(1,704 km2)
Halifax County 083 Halifax1758Edgecombe CountyGeorge Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716–1771), a British statesman and President of the Board of Trade 52,300 731 sq mi
(1,893 km2)
Harnett County 085 Lillington1855Cumberland CountyCornelius Harnett (1723–1781), an American Revolutionary and delegate in the Continental Congress 128,753 601 sq mi
(1,557 km2)
Haywood County 087 Waynesville1808Buncombe CountyJohn Haywood (1754–1827), a North Carolina State Treasurer 59,854 555 sq mi
(1,437 km2)
Henderson County 089 Hendersonville1838Buncombe CountyLeonard Henderson (1772–1833), Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court 112,156 375 sq mi
(971 km2)
Hertford County 091 Winton1759Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton CountyFrancis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford (1718–1794), who was Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and George III 24,262 360 sq mi
(932 km2)
Hoke County 093 Raeford1911Cumberland County and Robeson CountyRobert Hoke (1837–1912), a Confederate general during the American Civil War 52,571 392 sq mi
(1,015 km2)
Hyde County 095 Swan Quarter1712Bath CountyEdward Hyde (c. 1650–1712), a governor of colonial North Carolina 5,507 1,424 sq mi
(3,688 km2)
Iredell County 097 Statesville1788Rowan CountyJames Iredell (1751–1799), a comptroller at the port of Edenton and one of the original justices of the Supreme Court of the United States 169,798 597 sq mi
(1,546 km2)
Jackson County 099 Sylva1851Haywood County and Macon CountyAndrew Jackson (1767–1845), the 7th President of the United States 41,725 494 sq mi
(1,279 km2)
Johnston County 101 Smithfield1746Craven CountyGabriel Johnston (1699–1752), a governor of colonial North Carolina 186,308 796 sq mi
(2,062 km2)
Jones County 103 Trenton1779Craven CountyWillie Jones (1740–1801), opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and declined an invitation to the Constitutional Convention 9,776 473 sq mi
(1,225 km2)
Lee County 105 Sanford1907Chatham County and Moore CountyRobert E. Lee (1807–1870), a career United States Army officer and general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War 59,805 259 sq mi
(671 km2)
Lenoir County 107 Kinston1791Dobbs CountyWilliam Lenoir (1751–1839), a captain in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain 57,934 402 sq mi
(1,041 km2)
Lincoln County 109 Lincolnton1779Tryon CountyBenjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a major general during the American Revolutionary War who participated in the Siege of Yorktown 80,504 307 sq mi
(795 km2)
McDowell County 111 Marion1842Burke County and Rutherford CountyJoseph McDowell (1756–1801), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain 34,160 446 sq mi
(1,155 km2)
Macon County 113 Franklin1828Haywood CountyNathaniel Macon (1758–1837), a member and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives 21,347 519 sq mi
(1,344 km2)
Madison County 115 Marshall1851Buncombe County and Yancey CountyJames Madison (1751–1836), the 4th President of the United States 23,227 452 sq mi
(1,171 km2)
Martin County 117 Williamston1774Halifax County and Tyrrell CountyJosiah Martin (1737–1786), the last governor of colonial North Carolina 45,069 461 sq mi
(1,194 km2)
Mecklenburg County 119 Charlotte1762Anson CountyCharlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818), the queen consort of George III of the United Kingdom 1,034,290 546 sq mi
(1,414 km2)
Mitchell County 121 Bakersville1861Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey CountyElisha Mitchell (1793–1857), a professor at the University of North Carolina who measured the height of Mount Mitchell 15,155 222 sq mi
(575 km2)
Montgomery County 123 Troy1779Anson CountyRichard Montgomery (1738–1775), a major general during the Revolutionary War who was killed at the Battle of Quebec 27,445 502 sq mi
(1,300 km2)
Moore County 125 Carthage1784Cumberland CountyAlfred Moore (1755–1810), a captain in the Revolutionary War and justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 94,191 706 sq mi
(1,829 km2)
Nash County 127 Nashville1777Edgecombe CountyFrancis Nash (1742–1777), a brigadier general in the Revolutionary War who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Germantown 94,125 543 sq mi
(1,406 km2)
New Hanover County 129 Wilmington1729Craven CountyThe royal family of England, members of the House of Hanover 219,866 328 sq mi
(850 km2)
Northampton County 131 Jackson1741Bertie CountyJames Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton (1687–1754), a British peer and politician 20,426 551 sq mi
(1,427 km2)
Onslow County 133 Jacksonville1734New Hanover CountyArthur Onslow (1691–1768), Speaker of the House of Commons 192,685 909 sq mi
(2,354 km2)
Orange County 135 Hillsborough1752Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston CountyPrince William V of Orange (1748–1806), the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic 141,812 401 sq mi
(1,039 km2)
Pamlico County 137 Bayboro1872Beaufort County and Craven CountyPamlico Sound and the Pamlico Indian tribe 12,803 566 sq mi
(1,466 km2)
Pasquotank County 139 Elizabeth City1668Albemarle CountyDerived from the Indian word ""pasketanki"" which meant ""where the current of the stream divides or forks"" 39,546 289 sq mi
(749 km2)
Pender County 141 Burgaw1875New Hanover CountyWilliam Dorsey Pender (1834–1863), Confederate soldier who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg of the American Civil War 57,630 933 sq mi
(2,416 km2)
Perquimans County 143 Hertford1668Albemarle CountyThe Indian word ""perquimans"" means ""land of beautiful women"" and was coined by a sect of the Yeopim tribe, later becoming the 'Perquiman' 13,506 329 sq mi
(852 km2)
Person County 145 Roxboro1791Caswell CountyThomas Person, an American Revolutionary War patriot 39,240 404 sq mi
(1,046 km2)
Pitt County 147 Greenville1760Beaufort CountyWilliam Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain 176,484 655 sq mi
(1,696 km2)
Polk County 149 Columbus1855Henderson County and Rutherford CountyWilliam Polk (1758–1834), officer in the American Revolutionary War and first president of the State Bank of North Carolina 20,434 239 sq mi
(619 km2)
Randolph County 151 Asheboro1779Guilford CountyPeyton Randolph (c. 1721–1755), the first President of the Continental Congress 142,827 790 sq mi
(2,046 km2)
Richmond County 153 Rockingham1779Anson CountyCharles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond (1735–1806), a firm supporter of the American colonists and advocated removal of British troops 45,447 480 sq mi
(1,243 km2)
Robeson County 155 Lumberton1787Bladen CountyThomas Robeson, an officer in the American Revolutionary War 134,187 951 sq mi
(2,463 km2)
Rockingham County 157 Wentworth1785Guilford CountyCharles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730–1782), a British statesmen and two-time Prime Minister of Great Britain 91,566 572 sq mi
(1,481 km2)
Rowan County 159 Salisbury1753Anson CountyMatthew Rowan (d. 1769), was the acting Governor of colonial North Carolina following the death of Governor Nathaniel Rice 138,940 524 sq mi
(1,357 km2)
Rutherford County 161 Rutherfordton1779Tryon CountyGriffith Rutherford (c. 1721–1805), an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a political leader in North Carolina 66,523 566 sq mi
(1,466 km2)
Sampson County 163 Clinton1784Duplin CountyJohn Sampson, a member of Josiah Martin's council 63,664 947 sq mi
(2,453 km2)
Scotland County 165 Laurinburg1899Richmond CountyThe country Scotland, part of the United Kingdom 35,445 321 sq mi
(831 km2)
Stanly County 167 Albemarle1841Montgomery CountyJohn Stanly (1774–1834), a United States Congressman and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons 60,875 404 sq mi
(1,046 km2)
Stokes County 169 Danbury1789Surry CountyJohn Stokes, a soldier of the Revolution who was seriously wounded at the Waxhaw massacre 46,124 456 sq mi
(1,181 km2)
Surry County 171 Dobson1771Rowan CountyThe county of Surrey in England, birthplace of then governor William Tryon 72,315 538 sq mi
(1,393 km2)
Swain County 173 Bryson City1871Jackson County and Macon CountyDavid Lowry Swain (1801–1868), a governor of North Carolina and president of the University of North Carolina 14,208 541 sq mi
(1,401 km2)
Transylvania County 175 Brevard1861Henderson County and Jackson CountyDerived from the Latin words, trans meaning across and sylva meaning woods 33,291 381 sq mi
(987 km2)
Tyrrell County 177 Columbia1729Chowan County, Currituck County, and Pasquotank CountyJohn Tyrrell, at one time was a Lords Proprietor 4,090 600 sq mi
(1,554 km2)
Union County 179 Monroe1842Anson County and Mecklenburg CountyCreated as a compromise after a dispute between local Whigs and Democrats as to whether it should be named Clay or Jackson county 222,095 640 sq mi
(1,658 km2)
Vance County 181 Henderson1881Franklin County, Granville County, and Warren CountyZebulon Baird Vance (1830–1894), a Confederate military officer in the American Civil War, twice governor of North Carolina, and United States Senator 44,420 270 sq mi
(699 km2)
Wake County 183 Raleigh1771Cumberland County, Johnston County, and Orange CountyMargaret Wake, the wife of British colonial governor William Tryon 1,023,811 857 sq mi
(2,220 km2)
Warren County 185 Warrenton1779Bute CountyJoseph Warren (1741–1775), a Patriot and volunteer private who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill 20,190 444 sq mi
(1,150 km2)
Washington County 187 Plymouth1799Tyrrell CountyGeorge Washington (1732–1799), the 1st President of the United States 12,331 424 sq mi
(1,098 km2)
Watauga County 189 Boone1849Ashe County, Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey CountyThe Watauga River, which came from an Indian word meaning ""beautiful water"" 53,421 313 sq mi
(811 km2)
Wayne County 191 Goldsboro1779Dobbs CountyAnthony Wayne (1745–1796), a general in the American Revolutionary War 124,496 557 sq mi
(1,443 km2)
Wilkes County 193 Wilkesboro1777Surry CountyJohn Wilkes (1725–1797), an English radical, journalist and politician 68,525 760 sq mi
(1,968 km2)
Wilson County 195 Wilson1855Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash County, and Wayne CountyLouis D. Wilson, a state legislator from Edgecombe County who died of fever at Veracruz during the Mexican–American War 81,379 374 sq mi
(969 km2)
Yadkin County 197 Yadkinville1850Surry CountyThe Yadkin River 37,825 337 sq mi
(873 km2)
Yancey County 199 Burnsville1833Buncombe County and Burke CountyBartlett Yancey (1785–1828), a United States Congressman, Speaker of the North Carolina Senate, and early advocate for the North Carolina Public School System 17,605 313 sq mi
(811 km2)

Historic counties
County Created Abolished Fate
Albemarle County 1664[8] 1689[8] Partitioned into Chowan County, Currituck County, Pasquotank County, and Perquimans County
Bath County 1696[9] 1739[9] Partitioned into Beaufort County, Craven County, and Hyde County
Bute County 1764[10] 1779[10] Partitioned into Franklin County and Warren County
Dobbs County 1758[11] 1791[11] Partitioned into Greene County, Lenoir County, and Wayne County
Tryon County 1768[12] 1779[12] Partitioned into Lincoln County and Rutherford County

For several months in 1784, Cumberland County was known as Fayette County and sent representatives to the North Carolina General Assembly of April 1784 under this name.[13]

See also

References
General
  • Corbitt, David Leroy. The Formation of the North Carolina Counties, 1663–1943. Raleigh: State Dept. of Archives and History, 1950. Reprint, Raleigh: Division of Archives and History, North Carolina Dept. of Cultural Resources, 1987. ISBN 0-86526-032-X
  • Powell, William S. The North Carolina Gazetteer. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1968. Reprint, 1985. ISBN 0-8078-1247-1
Specific
  1. "How Many Counties are in Your State?". Click and Learn. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved August 26, 2009.
  2. "LEARN NC has been archived". www.learnnc.org. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  3. "EPA County FIPS Code Listing". US Environmental Protection Agency. Archived from the original on September 28, 2004. Retrieved February 6, 2008.
  4. "NACo – Find a county". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on December 11, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  5. "County Histories". The State Library of North Carolina. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  6. Bureau, U. S. Census. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  7. "North Carolina QuickFacts". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved February 6, 2008. (2000 Census)
  8. "Historic Albemarle County North Carolina Genealogy". USGenNet. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  9. "Historic Bath County North Carolina Genealogy". USGenNet. Archived from the original on June 24, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  10. "Bute Co., North Carolina GenWeb 1764–1779". RootsWeb. Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  11. "Dobbs County, NC GenWeb Archives". USGenWeb. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  12. "Finding Tryon County Ancestors". Gaston-Lincoln Regional Library System. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  13. Cheney, John L. Jr., ed. (1974). North Carolina Government, 1585–1974. pp. 212-213.
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