List of counties in North Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts


Counties of North Carolina
North Carolina counties.gif
Map showing the population density of North Carolina.
Location State of North Carolina
Number 100
Populations 4,364 (Tyrrell) – 1,012,539 (Mecklenburg)
Areas 221 square miles (570 km2) (Clay) – 1,562 square miles (4,050 km2) (Dare)
Government County government
Subdivisions cities, towns, townships, unincorporated communities, census designated place
See also: List of United States counties and county-equivalents

The U.S. state of North Carolina is divided into 100 counties. North Carolina ranks 29th in size by area, but has the seventh-highest number of counties in the country.

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.

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), 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.[needs update]

List

County
 FIPS code
 County seat
 Created
 Origin
 Etymology
 Population estimate
(2011)		 Area
 Map
Alamance County 001 Graham 1849 Orange County The Battle of Alamance which was derived from the local Indian word meaning "blue clay" found in the Great Alamance Creek &&&&&&&&&0153291.&&&&&0153,291 &&&&&&&&&&&&0435.&&&&&0435 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01127.&&&&&01,127 km²)


Alexander County 003 Taylorsville 1847 Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County William J. Alexander, member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons &&&&&&&&&&037087.&&&&&037,087 &&&&&&&&&&&&0263.&&&&&0263 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0681.&&&&&0681 km²)


Alleghany County 005 Sparta 1859 Ashe County Derived from a corruption of the Delaware Indian name for the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers and is said to have meant "a fine stream" &&&&&&&&&&011052.&&&&&011,052 &&&&&&&&&&&&0236.&&&&&0236 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0611.&&&&&0611 km²)


Anson County 007 Wadesboro 1750 Bladen County George, Lord Anson (1697–1762), a celebrated English admiral who circumnavigated the globe &&&&&&&&&&026143.&&&&&026,143 &&&&&&&&&&&&0537.&&&&&0537 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01391.&&&&&01,391 km²)


Ashe County 009 Jefferson 1799 Wilkes County Samuel Ashe (1725–1813), a Revolutionary patriot, superior court judge, and governor of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&027143.&&&&&027,143 &&&&&&&&&&&&0427.&&&&&0427 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01106.&&&&&01,106 km²)


Avery County 011 Newland 1911 Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County Waightstill Avery (1741–1821), a soldier of the Revolution and Attorney General of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&017572.&&&&&017,572 &&&&&&&&&&&&0247.&&&&&0247 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0640.&&&&&0640 km²)


Beaufort County 013 Washington 1712 Original county Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, who in 1709 became one of the Lords Proprietor &&&&&&&&&&047691.&&&&&047,691 &&&&&&&&&&&&0959.&&&&&0959 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02484.&&&&&02,484 km²)


Bertie County 015 Windsor 1722 Chowan County James or Henry Bertie, two Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&020874.&&&&&020,874 &&&&&&&&&&&&0741.&&&&&0741 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01919.&&&&&01,919 km²)


Bladen County 017 Elizabethtown 1734 New Hanover County Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade &&&&&&&&&&035190.&&&&&035,190 &&&&&&&&&&&&0887.&&&&&0887 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02297.&&&&&02,297 km²)


Brunswick County 019 Bolivia 1764 Bladen County and New Hanover County George I of Great Britain (1660–1727), Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg &&&&&&&&&0110097.&&&&&0110,097 &&&&&&&&&&&&0860.&&&&&0860 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02227.&&&&&02,227 km²)


Buncombe County 021 Asheville 1791 Burke County and Rutherford County Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Germantown, and died a paroled prisoner in Philadelphia &&&&&&&&&0241419.&&&&&0241,419 &&&&&&&&&&&&0660.&&&&&0660 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01709.&&&&&01,709 km²)		 State map highlighting Buncombe County


Burke County 023 Morganton 1777 Rowan County Thomas Burke (1747–1783), a member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&090904.&&&&&090,904 &&&&&&&&&&&&0515.&&&&&0515 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01334.&&&&&01,334 km²)


Cabarrus County 025 Concord 1792 Mecklenburg County Stephen Cabarrus (1754–1808), member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons &&&&&&&&&0181468.&&&&&0181,468 &&&&&&&&&&&&0365.&&&&&0365 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0945.&&&&&0945 km²)


Caldwell County 027 Lenoir 1841 Burke County and Wilkes County Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), the first president of the University of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&082395.&&&&&082,395 &&&&&&&&&&&&0474.&&&&&0474 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01228.&&&&&01,228 km²)


Camden County 029 Camden 1777 Pasquotank County Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (1714–1794), who opposed the taxation of the American colonists &&&&&&&&&&010014.&&&&&010,014 &&&&&&&&&&&&0306.&&&&&0306 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0793.&&&&&0793 km²)


Carteret County 031 Beaufort 1722 Craven County John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret &&&&&&&&&&067373.&&&&&067,373 &&&&&&&&&&&01341.&&&&&01,341 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&03473.&&&&&03,473 km²)


Caswell County 033 Yanceyville 1777 Orange County Richard Caswell (1729–1789), member of the first Continental Congress and first governor of North Carolina after the Declaration of Independence &&&&&&&&&&023403.&&&&&023,403 &&&&&&&&&&&&0428.&&&&&0428 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01109.&&&&&01,109 km²)


Catawba County 035 Newton 1842 Lincoln County Catawba Indians &&&&&&&&&0154181.&&&&&0154,181 &&&&&&&&&&&&0414.&&&&&0414 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01072.&&&&&01,072 km²)		 State map highlighting Catawba County


Chatham County 037 Pittsboro 1771 Orange County William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain &&&&&&&&&&064195.&&&&&064,195 &&&&&&&&&&&&0709.&&&&&0709 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01836.&&&&&01,836 km²)


Cherokee County 039 Murphy 1839 Macon County Cherokee Indians &&&&&&&&&&027194.&&&&&027,194 &&&&&&&&&&&&0497.&&&&&0497 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01287.&&&&&01,287 km²)


Chowan County 041 Edenton 1668 Albemarle County Chowan Indian tribe &&&&&&&&&&014831.&&&&&014,831 &&&&&&&&&&&&0233.&&&&&0233 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0603.&&&&&0603 km²)


Clay County 043 Hayesville 1861 Cherokee County Henry Clay (1777–1852), statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate &&&&&&&&&&010563.&&&&&010,563 &&&&&&&&&&&&0221.&&&&&0221 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0572.&&&&&0572 km²)


Cleveland County 045 Shelby 1841 Lincoln County and Rutherford County Benjamin Cleveland (1738–1806), a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain &&&&&&&&&&097489.&&&&&097,489 &&&&&&&&&&&&0469.&&&&&0469 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01215.&&&&&01,215 km²)


Columbus County 047 Whiteville 1808 Bladen County and Brunswick County Christopher Columbus (1451–1507), navigator, explorer, and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas &&&&&&&&&&057712.&&&&&057,712 &&&&&&&&&&&&0954.&&&&&0954 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02471.&&&&&02,471 km²)


Craven County 049 New Bern 1705 Bath County William, Earl of Craven (1608–1697), who was a Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina &&&&&&&&&0104786.&&&&&0104,786 &&&&&&&&&&&&0774.&&&&&0774 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02005.&&&&&02,005 km²)


Cumberland County 051 Fayetteville 1754 Bladen County Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (1721–1765), a military leader and son of George II &&&&&&&&&0324885.&&&&&0324,885 &&&&&&&&&&&&0658.&&&&&0658 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01704.&&&&&01,704 km²)


Currituck County 053 Currituck 1668 Albemarle County Traditionally said to be an Indian word for wild geese, also rendered "Coratank" &&&&&&&&&&023955.&&&&&023,955 &&&&&&&&&&&&0526.&&&&&0526 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01362.&&&&&01,362 km²)


Dare County 055 Manteo 1870 Currituck County, Hyde County, and Tyrrell County Virginia Dare (b. 1587), the first child born of English parents in America &&&&&&&&&&034307.&&&&&034,307 &&&&&&&&&&&01562.&&&&&01,562 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&04046.&&&&&04,046 km²)


Davidson County 057 Lexington 1822 Rowan County William Lee Davidson (1746–1781), an American Revolutionary War general who was mortally wounded at Cowan's Ford &&&&&&&&&0162695.&&&&&0162,695 &&&&&&&&&&&&0567.&&&&&0567 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01469.&&&&&01,469 km²)


Davie County 059 Mocksville 1836 Rowan County William Richardson Davie (1756–1820), a member of the Federal Convention and governor of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&041552.&&&&&041,552 &&&&&&&&&&&&0267.&&&&&0267 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0692.&&&&&0692 km²)


Duplin County 061 Kenansville 1750 New Hanover County Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin (1710–1787), who was the 9th earl of Kinnoull &&&&&&&&&&059542.&&&&&059,542 &&&&&&&&&&&&0819.&&&&&0819 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02121.&&&&&02,121 km²)


Durham County 063 Durham 1881 Orange County and Wake County The city of Durham which was named in honor of Dr. Bartlett Snipes Durham who donated the land on which the railroad station was located &&&&&&&&&0273392.&&&&&0273,392 &&&&&&&&&&&&0298.&&&&&0298 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0772.&&&&&0772 km²)		 State map highlighting Durham County


Edgecombe County 065 Tarboro 1741 Bertie County Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe (1680–1758), a Lord High Treasurer and Paymaster-General for Ireland &&&&&&&&&&056041.&&&&&056,041 &&&&&&&&&&&&0507.&&&&&0507 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01313.&&&&&01,313 km²)


Forsyth County 067 Winston-Salem 1849 Stokes County Benjamin Forsyth (d. 1814), an American officer during the War of 1812 &&&&&&&&&0354952.&&&&&0354,952 &&&&&&&&&&&&0413.&&&&&0413 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01070.&&&&&01,070 km²)


Franklin County 069 Louisburg 1779 Bute County Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), an author, politician, statesman, and Founding Father of the United States &&&&&&&&&&061140.&&&&&061,140 &&&&&&&&&&&&0495.&&&&&0495 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01282.&&&&&01,282 km²)


Gaston County 071 Gastonia 1846 Lincoln County William Gaston (1778–1844), a United States Congressman and justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court &&&&&&&&&0207031.&&&&&0207,031 &&&&&&&&&&&&0364.&&&&&0364 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0943.&&&&&0943 km²)


Gates County 073 Gatesville 1779 Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans County Horatio Gates (1727–1806), an American general during the Revolution at the Battle of Saratoga &&&&&&&&&&012043.&&&&&012,043 &&&&&&&&&&&&0346.&&&&&0346 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0896.&&&&&0896 km²)


Graham County 075 Robbinsville 1872 Cherokee County William Alexander Graham (1804–1875), a United States Senator, governor of North Carolina, and United States Secretary of the Navy &&&&&&&&&&&08802.&&&&&08,802 &&&&&&&&&&&&0302.&&&&&0302 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0782.&&&&&0782 km²)


Granville County 077 Oxford 1746 Edgecombe County John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret &&&&&&&&&&059976.&&&&&059,976 &&&&&&&&&&&&0537.&&&&&0537 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01391.&&&&&01,391 km²)


Greene County 079 Snow Hill 1799 Dobbs County
Originally named Glasgow County		 Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War &&&&&&&&&&021556.&&&&&021,556 &&&&&&&&&&&&0266.&&&&&0266 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0689.&&&&&0689 km²)


Guilford County 081 Greensboro 1771 Orange County and Rowan County Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford (1704–1790), a British politician and father of Prime Minister of Great Britain Frederick North &&&&&&&&&0495279.&&&&&0495,279 &&&&&&&&&&&&0658.&&&&&0658 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01704.&&&&&01,704 km²)


Halifax County 083 Halifax 1758 Edgecombe County George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716–1771), a British statesman and President of the Board of Trade &&&&&&&&&&054173.&&&&&054,173 &&&&&&&&&&&&0731.&&&&&0731 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01893.&&&&&01,893 km²)


Harnett County 085 Lillington 1855 Cumberland County Cornelius Harnett (1723–1781), an American Revolutionary and delegate in the Continental Congress &&&&&&&&&0119256.&&&&&0119,256 &&&&&&&&&&&&0601.&&&&&0601 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01557.&&&&&01,557 km²)


Haywood County 087 Waynesville 1808 Buncombe County John Haywood (1754–1827), a North Carolina State Treasurer &&&&&&&&&&058855.&&&&&058,855 &&&&&&&&&&&&0555.&&&&&0555 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01437.&&&&&01,437 km²)


Henderson County 089 Hendersonville 1838 Buncombe County Leonard Henderson (1772–1833), Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court &&&&&&&&&0107927.&&&&&0107,927 &&&&&&&&&&&&0375.&&&&&0375 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0971.&&&&&0971 km²)


Hertford County 091 Winton 1759 Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford (1718–1794), who was Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and George III &&&&&&&&&&024433.&&&&&024,433 &&&&&&&&&&&&0360.&&&&&0360 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0932.&&&&&0932 km²)


Hoke County 093 Raeford 1911 Cumberland County and Robeson County Robert Hoke (1837–1912), a Confederate general during the American Civil War &&&&&&&&&&049272.&&&&&049,272 &&&&&&&&&&&&0392.&&&&&0392 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01015.&&&&&01,015 km²)


Hyde County 095 Swan Quarter 1712 Original county
Originally named Wickham County		 Edward Hyde (c. 1650–1712), a governor of colonial North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&&05822.&&&&&05,822 &&&&&&&&&&&01424.&&&&&01,424 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&03688.&&&&&03,688 km²)


Iredell County 097 Statesville 1788 Rowan County James Iredell (1751–1799), a comptroller at the port of Edenton and one of the original justices of the Supreme Court of the United States &&&&&&&&&0161202.&&&&&0161,202 &&&&&&&&&&&&0597.&&&&&0597 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01546.&&&&&01,546 km²)


Jackson County 099 Sylva 1851 Haywood County and Macon County Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the 7th President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&040285.&&&&&040,285 &&&&&&&&&&&&0494.&&&&&0494 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01279.&&&&&01,279 km²)


Johnston County 101 Smithfield 1746 Craven County Gabriel Johnston (1699–1752), a governor of colonial North Carolina &&&&&&&&&0172595.&&&&&0172,595 &&&&&&&&&&&&0796.&&&&&0796 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02062.&&&&&02,062 km²)


Jones County 103 Trenton 1778 Craven County Willie Jones (1740–1801), opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and declined an invitation to the Constitutional Convention &&&&&&&&&&010020.&&&&&010,020 &&&&&&&&&&&&0473.&&&&&0473 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01225.&&&&&01,225 km²)


Lee County 105 Sanford 1907 Chatham County and Moore County Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), a career United States Army officer and general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War &&&&&&&&&&058752.&&&&&058,752 &&&&&&&&&&&&0259.&&&&&0259 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0671.&&&&&0671 km²)


Lenoir County 107 Kinston 1791 Dobbs County William Lenoir (1751–1839), a captain in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain &&&&&&&&&&059339.&&&&&059,339 &&&&&&&&&&&&0402.&&&&&0402 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01041.&&&&&01,041 km²)


Lincoln County 109 Lincolnton 1779 Tryon County Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a major general during the American Revolutionary War who participated in the Siege of Yorktown &&&&&&&&&&078932.&&&&&078,932 &&&&&&&&&&&&0307.&&&&&0307 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0795.&&&&&0795 km²)


McDowell County 111 Marion 1842 Burke County and Rutherford County Joseph McDowell (1756–1801), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain &&&&&&&&&&045104.&&&&&045,104 &&&&&&&&&&&&0446.&&&&&0446 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01155.&&&&&01,155 km²)


Macon County 113 Franklin 1828 Haywood County Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), a member and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives &&&&&&&&&&034074.&&&&&034,074 &&&&&&&&&&&&0519.&&&&&0519 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01344.&&&&&01,344 km²)


Madison County 115 Marshall 1851 Buncombe County and Yancey County James Madison (1751–1836), the 4th President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&020816.&&&&&020,816 &&&&&&&&&&&&0452.&&&&&0452 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01171.&&&&&01,171 km²)


Martin County 117 Williamston 1774 Halifax County and Tyrrell County Josiah Martin (1737–1786), the last governor of colonial North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&024180.&&&&&024,180 &&&&&&&&&&&&0461.&&&&&0461 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01194.&&&&&01,194 km²)


Mecklenburg County 119 Charlotte 1762 Anson County Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818), the queen consort of George III of the United Kingdom &&&&&&&&&0944373.&&&&&0944,373 &&&&&&&&&&&&0546.&&&&&0546 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01414.&&&&&01,414 km²)


Mitchell County 121 Bakersville 1861 Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County Elisha Mitchell (1793–1857), a professor at the University of North Carolina who measured the height of Mount Mitchell &&&&&&&&&&015445.&&&&&015,445 &&&&&&&&&&&&0222.&&&&&0222 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0575.&&&&&0575 km²)


Montgomery County 123 Troy 1779 Anson County Richard Montgomery (1738–1775), a major general during the Revolutionary War who was killed at the Battle of Quebec &&&&&&&&&&027667.&&&&&027,667 &&&&&&&&&&&&0502.&&&&&0502 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01300.&&&&&01,300 km²)


Moore County 125 Carthage 1784 Cumberland County Alfred Moore (1755–1810), a captain in the Revolutionary War and justice of the Supreme Court of the United States &&&&&&&&&&089352.&&&&&089,352 &&&&&&&&&&&&0706.&&&&&0706 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01829.&&&&&01,829 km²)


Nash County 127 Nashville 1777 Edgecombe County Francis Nash (1742–1777), a brigadier general in the Revolutionary War who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Germantown &&&&&&&&&&096116.&&&&&096,116 &&&&&&&&&&&&0543.&&&&&0543 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01406.&&&&&01,406 km²)


New Hanover County 129 Wilmington 1729 Craven County The royal family of England, members of the House of Hanover &&&&&&&&&0206189.&&&&&0206,189 &&&&&&&&&&&&0328.&&&&&0328 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0850.&&&&&0850 km²)


Northampton County 131 Jackson 1741 Bertie County James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton (1687–1754), a British peer and politician &&&&&&&&&&021893.&&&&&021,893 &&&&&&&&&&&&0551.&&&&&0551 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01427.&&&&&01,427 km²)


Onslow County 133 Jacksonville 1734 New Hanover County Arthur Onslow (1691–1768), Speaker of the British House of Commons &&&&&&&&&0179716.&&&&&0179,716 &&&&&&&&&&&&0909.&&&&&0909 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02354.&&&&&02,354 km²)


Orange County 135 Hillsborough 1752 Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County Prince William V of Orange (1748–1806), the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic &&&&&&&&&0135755.&&&&&0135,755 &&&&&&&&&&&&0401.&&&&&0401 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01039.&&&&&01,039 km²)


Pamlico County 137 Bayboro 1872 Beaufort County and Craven County Pamlico Sound and the Pamlico Indian tribe &&&&&&&&&&013197.&&&&&013,197 &&&&&&&&&&&&0566.&&&&&0566 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01466.&&&&&01,466 km²)


Pasquotank County 139 Elizabeth City 1668 Albemarle County Derived from the Indian word "pasketanki" which meant "where the current of the stream divides or forks" &&&&&&&&&&040696.&&&&&040,696 &&&&&&&&&&&&0289.&&&&&0289 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0749.&&&&&0749 km²)


Pender County 141 Burgaw 1875 New Hanover County William Dorsey Pender (1834–1863), Confederate soldier who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg of the American Civil War &&&&&&&&&&053399.&&&&&053,399 &&&&&&&&&&&&0933.&&&&&0933 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02416.&&&&&02,416 km²)


Perquimans County 143 Hertford 1668 Albemarle County The Indian word "perquimans" means "land of beautiful women" and was coined by a sect of the Yeopim tribe, later becoming the 'Perquiman' &&&&&&&&&&013487.&&&&&013,487 &&&&&&&&&&&&0329.&&&&&0329 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0852.&&&&&0852 km²)


Person County 145 Roxboro 1791 Caswell County Thomas Person, an American Revolutionary War patriot &&&&&&&&&&039637.&&&&&039,637 &&&&&&&&&&&&0404.&&&&&0404 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01046.&&&&&01,046 km²)


Pitt County 147 Greenville 1760 Beaufort County William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain &&&&&&&&&0171134.&&&&&0171,134 &&&&&&&&&&&&0655.&&&&&0655 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01696.&&&&&01,696 km²)


Polk County 149 Columbus 1855 Henderson County and Rutherford County William Polk (1758–1834), officer in the American Revolutionary War and first president of the State Bank of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&020256.&&&&&020,256 &&&&&&&&&&&&0239.&&&&&0239 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0619.&&&&&0619 km²)


Randolph County 151 Asheboro 1779 Guilford County Peyton Randolph (c. 1721–1755), the first President of the Continental Congress &&&&&&&&&0142358.&&&&&0142,358 &&&&&&&&&&&&0790.&&&&&0790 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02046.&&&&&02,046 km²)


Richmond County 153 Rockingham 1779 Anson County Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond (1735–1806), a firm supporter of the American colonists and advocated removal of British troops &&&&&&&&&&046611.&&&&&046,611 &&&&&&&&&&&&0480.&&&&&0480 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01243.&&&&&01,243 km²)


Robeson County 155 Lumberton 1787 Bladen County Thomas Robeson, an officer in the American Revolutionary War &&&&&&&&&0135517.&&&&&0135,517 &&&&&&&&&&&&0951.&&&&&0951 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02463.&&&&&02,463 km²)


Rockingham County 157 Wentworth 1785 Guilford County Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730–1782), a British statesmen and two-time Prime Minister of Great Britain &&&&&&&&&&093329.&&&&&093,329 &&&&&&&&&&&&0572.&&&&&0572 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01481.&&&&&01,481 km²)


Rowan County 159 Salisbury 1753 Anson County Matthew Rowan (d. 1769), was the acting Governor of colonial North Carolina following the death of Governor Nathaniel Rice &&&&&&&&&0138019.&&&&&0138,019 &&&&&&&&&&&&0524.&&&&&0524 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01357.&&&&&01,357 km²)


Rutherford County 161 Rutherfordton 1779 Tryon County Griffith Rutherford (c. 1721–1805), an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a political leader in North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&067538.&&&&&067,538 &&&&&&&&&&&&0566.&&&&&0566 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01466.&&&&&01,466 km²)


Sampson County 163 Clinton 1784 Duplin County John Sampson, a member of Josiah Martin's council &&&&&&&&&&063734.&&&&&063,734 &&&&&&&&&&&&0947.&&&&&0947 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02453.&&&&&02,453 km²)


Scotland County 165 Laurinburg 1899 Richmond County The country Scotland, part of the United Kingdom &&&&&&&&&&035861.&&&&&035,861 &&&&&&&&&&&&0321.&&&&&0321 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0831.&&&&&0831 km²)


Stanly County 167 Albemarle 1841 Montgomery County John Stanly (1774–1834), a United States Congressman and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons &&&&&&&&&&060636.&&&&&060,636 &&&&&&&&&&&&0404.&&&&&0404 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01046.&&&&&01,046 km²)


Stokes County 169 Danbury 1789 Surry County John Stokes, a soldier of the Revolution who was seriously wounded at the Waxhaw massacre &&&&&&&&&&047242.&&&&&047,242 &&&&&&&&&&&&0456.&&&&&0456 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01181.&&&&&01,181 km²)


Surry County 171 Dobson 1771 Rowan County The county of Surrey in England, birthplace of then governor William Tryon &&&&&&&&&&073714.&&&&&073,714 &&&&&&&&&&&&0538.&&&&&0538 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01393.&&&&&01,393 km²)


Swain County 173 Bryson City 1871 Jackson County and Macon County David Lowry Swain (1801–1868), a governor of North Carolina and president of the University of North Carolina &&&&&&&&&&014043.&&&&&014,043 &&&&&&&&&&&&0541.&&&&&0541 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01401.&&&&&01,401 km²)


Transylvania County 175 Brevard 1861 Henderson County and Jackson County Derived from the Latin words, trans meaning across and sylva meaning woods &&&&&&&&&&032820.&&&&&032,820 &&&&&&&&&&&&0381.&&&&&0381 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0987.&&&&&0987 km²)


Tyrrell County 177 Columbia 1729 Chowan County, Currituck County, and Pasquotank County John Tyrrell, at one time was a Lords Proprietor &&&&&&&&&&&04364.&&&&&04,364 &&&&&&&&&&&&0600.&&&&&0600 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01554.&&&&&01,554 km²)		 State map highlighting Tyrrell County


Union County 179 Monroe 1842 Anson County and Mecklenburg County Created as a compromise after a dispute between local Whigs and Democrats as to whether it should be named Clay or Jackson county &&&&&&&&&0205463.&&&&&0205,463 &&&&&&&&&&&&0640.&&&&&0640 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01658.&&&&&01,658 km²)


Vance County 181 Henderson 1881 Franklin County, Granville County, and Warren County Zebulon Baird Vance (1830–1894), a Confederate military officer in the American Civil War, twice governor of North Carolina, and United States Senator &&&&&&&&&&045307.&&&&&045,307 &&&&&&&&&&&&0270.&&&&&0270 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0699.&&&&&0699 km²)


Wake County 183 Raleigh 1771 Cumberland County, Johnston County, and Orange County Margaret Wake, the wife of British colonial governor William Tryon &&&&&&&&&0929780.&&&&&0929,780 &&&&&&&&&&&&0857.&&&&&0857 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02220.&&&&&02,220 km²)


Warren County 185 Warrenton 1779 Bute County Joseph Warren (1741–1775), a Patriot and volunteer private who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill &&&&&&&&&&020861.&&&&&020,861 &&&&&&&&&&&&0444.&&&&&0444 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01150.&&&&&01,150 km²)


Washington County 187 Plymouth 1799 Tyrrell County George Washington (1732–1799), the 1st President of the United States &&&&&&&&&&012973.&&&&&012,973 &&&&&&&&&&&&0424.&&&&&0424 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01098.&&&&&01,098 km²)


Watauga County 189 Boone 1849 Ashe County, Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County The Watauga River, which came from an Indian word meaning "beautiful water" &&&&&&&&&&051333.&&&&&051,333 &&&&&&&&&&&&0313.&&&&&0313 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0811.&&&&&0811 km²)


Wayne County 191 Goldsboro 1779 Dobbs County Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), a general in the American Revolutionary War &&&&&&&&&0123697.&&&&&0123,697 &&&&&&&&&&&&0557.&&&&&0557 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01443.&&&&&01,443 km²)


Wilkes County 193 Wilkesboro 1777 Surry County John Wilkes (1725–1797), an English radical, journalist and politician &&&&&&&&&&068984.&&&&&068,984 &&&&&&&&&&&&0760.&&&&&0760 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01968.&&&&&01,968 km²)


Wilson County 195 Wilson 1855 Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash County, and Wayne County Louis D. Wilson, a state legislator from Edgecombe County who died of fever at Veracruz during the Mexican-American War &&&&&&&&&&081452.&&&&&081,452 &&&&&&&&&&&&0374.&&&&&0374 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0969.&&&&&0969 km²)


Yadkin County 197 Yadkinville 1850 Surry County The Yadkin River &&&&&&&&&&038279.&&&&&038,279 &&&&&&&&&&&&0337.&&&&&0337 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0873.&&&&&0873 km²)


Yancey County 199 Burnsville 1833 Buncombe County and Burke County Bartlett Yancey (1785–1828), a United States Congressman, Speaker of the North Carolina Senate, and early advocate for the North Carolina Public School System &&&&&&&&&&017701.&&&&&017,701 &&&&&&&&&&&&0313.&&&&&0313 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0811.&&&&&0811 km²)

Historic counties

County Created Abolished Fate
Albemarle County 1664 1689 Partitioned into Chowan County, Currituck County, Pasquotank County, and Perquimans County
Bath County 1696 1739 Renamed as Craven County
Bute County 1764 1779 Partitioned into Franklin County and Warren County
Dobbs County 1758 1791 Partitioned into Greene County, Lenoir County, and Wayne County
Tryon County 1768 1779 Partitioned into Lincoln County and Rutherford County

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List of counties in North Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.