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Brunswick County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Brunswick County
Brunswick County Courthouse.
Brunswick County Courthouse.
Official seal of Brunswick County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Brunswick County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  North Carolina
Founded 1764
Named for Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg
Seat Bolivia
Largest city Leland
Area
 • Total 1,050 sq mi (2,700 km2)
 • Land 847 sq mi (2,190 km2)
 • Water 203 sq mi (530 km2)  19%%
Population
 • Total 136,693
 • Density 130.2/sq mi (50.26/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 7th

Brunswick County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,693. Its population was only 73,143 in 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. With a nominal growth rate of approximately 47% in ten years, much of the growth is centered in the eastern section of the county in the suburbs of Wilmington such as Leland, Belville and Southport. A 2019 estimated population of 142,820 makes Brunswick the fourth-fastest-growing county in the country. The county seat is Bolivia, which at a population of around 150 people is among the least populous county seats in the state.

Brunswick County is included in the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was formerly part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Brunswick County and Wilmington area leaders disputed the change, but unsuccessfully.

Much of the economy of the county is built around tourism, with beach communities lying along the south-facing beaches past Cape Fear such as Bald Head Island (the southernmost point of North Carolina) and Oak Island being popular destinations. Calabash, on the border of South Carolina, is renowned for its fried seafood, with "Calabash-style" restaurants dotting the region. The proximity to EUE/Screen Gems Studios in nearby Wilmington has made Brunswick County a popular filming location for many movies and TV shows.

History

The county was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County. It was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town (now in ruins) which itself was named for Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg; at the time held by the British kings of the House of Hanover.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,050 square miles (2,700 km2), of which 547 square miles (1,420 km2) is land and 203 square miles (530 km2) (19%) is water. It is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by total area. The Brunswick River and the Cape Fear River provide access to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Brunswick Nuclear Generating Station is to the north of Southport.

Beaches

Islands

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • I-140
  • US 17
  • US 74
  • US 76
  • US 421
  • NC 87
  • NC 130
  • NC 133
  • NC 179
  • NC 211
  • NC 904
  • NC 906

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 3,071
1800 4,110 33.8%
1810 4,778 16.3%
1820 5,480 14.7%
1830 6,516 18.9%
1840 6,255 −4.0%
1850 7,272 16.3%
1860 8,406 15.6%
1870 7,754 −7.8%
1880 9,389 21.1%
1890 10,900 16.1%
1900 12,657 16.1%
1910 14,432 14.0%
1920 14,876 3.1%
1930 15,818 6.3%
1940 17,125 8.3%
1950 19,238 12.3%
1960 20,278 5.4%
1970 24,223 19.5%
1980 35,777 47.7%
1990 50,985 42.5%
2000 73,143 43.5%
2010 107,431 46.9%
2020 136,693 27.2%
2021 (est.) 144,215 34.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2019 2020

2020 census

Brunswick County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 110,716 81.0%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 11,392 8.33%
Native American 743 0.54%
Asian 890 0.65%
Pacific Islander 75 0.05%
Other/Mixed 5,457 3.99%
Hispanic or Latino 7,420 5.43%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 136,693 people,

Communities

Map of Brunswick County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Brunswick County, North Carolina, with municipal and township labels.

Cities

Towns

Villages

Townships

  • Lockwood Folly
  • Northwest
  • Shallotte
  • Smithville Township
  • Town Creek
  • Waccamaw

Unincorporated communities

  • Antioch
  • Ash
  • Batarora
  • Bell Swamp
  • Bishop
  • Biven
  • Bonaparte Landing
  • Boone's Neck
  • Bowensville
  • Brunswick Station
  • Camp Branch
  • Cedar Grove
  • Civietown
  • Clairmont
  • Clarendon
  • Coolvale
  • Doe Creek
  • Eastbrook
  • Easy Hill
  • Longwood
  • Maco
  • Piney Grove
  • Red Bug
  • Sunset Harbor
  • Supply
  • Thomasboro
  • Winnabow

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Brunswick (Carolina del Norte) para niños

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