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| Lenoir County, North Carolina | |
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| Map | |
Location in the state of North Carolina |
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 North Carolina's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1791 |
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| Seat | Kinston |
| Largest City | Kinston |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
403 sq mi (1,044 km²) 401 sq mi (1,039 km²) 2.2 sq mi (6 km²), 0.6% |
| Population - (2010) - Density |
59,495 149/sq mi (58/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website: www.co.lenoir.nc.us | |
| Named for: William Lenoir | |
Lenoir County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,495. Its county seat is Kinston, located on the Neuse River, across which the county has its territory.
Lenoir County comprises the Kinston, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.
The county was formed by European Americans in 1791 from the southern part of Dobbs County. It was named for William Lenoir (1751-1839), an officer in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain. He was a prominent political leader; when the county was established, he was serving as Speaker of the North Carolina Senate.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 403 square miles (1,040 km2), of which 401 square miles (1,040 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 4,005 | — | |
| 1810 | 5,572 | 39.1% | |
| 1820 | 6,799 | 22.0% | |
| 1830 | 7,723 | 13.6% | |
| 1840 | 7,605 | −1.5% | |
| 1850 | 7,828 | 2.9% | |
| 1860 | 10,220 | 30.6% | |
| 1870 | 10,434 | 2.1% | |
| 1880 | 15,344 | 47.1% | |
| 1890 | 14,879 | −3.0% | |
| 1900 | 18,639 | 25.3% | |
| 1910 | 22,769 | 22.2% | |
| 1920 | 29,555 | 29.8% | |
| 1930 | 35,716 | 20.8% | |
| 1940 | 41,211 | 15.4% | |
| 1950 | 45,953 | 11.5% | |
| 1960 | 55,276 | 20.3% | |
| 1970 | 55,204 | −0.1% | |
| 1980 | 59,819 | 8.4% | |
| 1990 | 57,274 | −4.3% | |
| 2000 | 59,648 | 4.1% | |
| 2010 | 59,495 | −0.3% | |
| Est. 2015 | 58,106 | −2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 59,648 people, 23,862 households, and 16,178 families residing in the county. The population density was 149 people per square mile (58/km²). There were 27,184 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.47% White, 40.43% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,862 households out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.40% were married couples living together, 17.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,191, and the median income for a family was $38,815. Males had a median income of $28,879 versus $21,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,744. About 12.60% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.00% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.
Lenoir County is served by the Kinston Regional Jetport (IATA: ISO, ICAO: KISO) with service to Orlando, Florida. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the closest major airport with service to more than 45 domestic and international destinations.
US 70
NC 11
NC 903The main highway in the county is US 70, which offers access to the North Carolina coast and I-95. Other highways that run through the county include US 258, NC 11, NC 58, NC 903 and NC 55. Interstate 95 is the closest Interstate Highway to the county, located 50 miles west in Selma.
The county is served by Greyhound with a location in Kinston.
