kids encyclopedia robot

List of counties in North Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Counties of North Carolina
Location State of North Carolina
Number 100
Populations 3,461 (Tyrrell) – 1,190,275 (Wake)
Areas 221 square miles (570 km2) (Clay) – 1,542 square miles (3,990 km2) (Dare)
Government County government
Subdivisions cities, towns, townships, unincorporated communities, census designated place
North Carolina population map
Map showing the population density of North Carolina

The U.S. state of North Carolina is divided into 100 counties. A county is a part of a state, like a smaller region, that has its own local government. North Carolina is the 28th largest state by land area. However, it has the seventh-highest number of counties in the country.

The story of North Carolina's counties began a long time ago. In 1660, King Charles II became king again. To thank eight people who supported him, he gave them a large area of land called Carolina in 1663. This land was named after his father, King Charles I. These eight people were called the Lords Proprietor. From 1663 to 1729, Carolina was an English, then British, colony. In 1729, the Province of North Carolina became a separate colony from the Province of South Carolina.

North Carolina started creating its counties in 1668 with Albemarle County. The last two counties, Avery and Hoke, were created in 1911. Over the years, five counties have been divided into new ones or stopped existing completely. The last one to be divided was Dobbs County in 1791.

The United States government uses a special code called the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) to identify states and counties. North Carolina's FIPS code is 37. When combined with a county's code, it looks like 37XXX.

Counties of North Carolina

Here is a list of all 100 counties in North Carolina. You can see when each county was created, where its name came from, its population, and its size.

County FIPS code County seat Est. Origin Meaning of Name Pop.
(2023)
Area Map
Alamance County 001 Graham 1849 Orange County Named after the Battle of Alamance. The name comes from a local Native American word meaning "blue clay" found in the Great Alamance Creek area. &&&&&&&&&0179165.&&&&&0179,165 &&&&&&&&&&&&0434.&&&&&0434 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01124.&&&&&01,124 km2)
State map highlighting Alamance County
Alexander County 003 Taylorsville 1847 Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County Named for William J. Alexander, a member of the state legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons (a leader in the state government). &&&&&&&&&&036473.&&&&&036,473 &&&&&&&&&&&&0264.&&&&&0264 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0684.&&&&&0684 km2)
State map highlighting Alexander County
Alleghany County 005 Sparta 1859 Ashe County Comes from a Native American (Delaware Indian) name for the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, meaning "a fine stream." &&&&&&&&&&011342.&&&&&011,342 &&&&&&&&&&&&0236.&&&&&0236 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0611.&&&&&0611 km2)
State map highlighting Alleghany County
Anson County 007 Wadesboro 1750 Bladen County Named for George, Lord Anson (1697–1762), a famous English admiral who sailed around the world. &&&&&&&&&&021897.&&&&&021,897 &&&&&&&&&&&&0537.&&&&&0537 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01391.&&&&&01,391 km2)
State map highlighting Anson County
Ashe County 009 Jefferson 1799 Wilkes County Named for Samuel Ashe (1725–1813), a patriot during the American Revolutionary War, a judge, and a governor of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&027063.&&&&&027,063 &&&&&&&&&&&&0429.&&&&&0429 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01111.&&&&&01,111 km2)
State map highlighting Ashe County
Avery County 011 Newland 1911 Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County Named for Waightstill Avery (1741–1821), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War and the Attorney General of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&017561.&&&&&017,561 &&&&&&&&&&&&0248.&&&&&0248 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0642.&&&&&0642 km2)
State map highlighting Avery County
Beaufort County 013 Washington 1712 Bath County Named for Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort, who became one of the Lords Proprietor (owners) of the colony in 1709. &&&&&&&&&&044481.&&&&&044,481 &&&&&&&&&&&&0963.&&&&&0963 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02494.&&&&&02,494 km2)
State map highlighting Beaufort County
Bertie County 015 Windsor 1722 Chowan County Named for James or Henry Bertie, two of the Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&016922.&&&&&016,922 &&&&&&&&&&&&0741.&&&&&0741 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01919.&&&&&01,919 km2)
State map highlighting Bertie County
Bladen County 017 Elizabethtown 1734 New Hanover County Named for Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade (a British government group). &&&&&&&&&&029484.&&&&&029,484 &&&&&&&&&&&&0888.&&&&&0888 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02300.&&&&&02,300 km2)
State map highlighting Bladen County
Brunswick County 019 Bolivia 1764 Bladen County and New Hanover County Named for George I of Great Britain (1660–1727), who was also the Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg. &&&&&&&&&0159964.&&&&&0159,964 &&&&&&&&&&&01050.&&&&&01,050 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02719.&&&&&02,719 km2)
State map highlighting Brunswick County
Buncombe County 021 Asheville 1791 Burke County and Rutherford County Named for Edward Buncombe, a soldier in the American Revolutionary War. He was wounded and captured during a battle. &&&&&&&&&0275901.&&&&&0275,901 &&&&&&&&&&&&0660.&&&&&0660 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01709.&&&&&01,709 km2)
State map highlighting Buncombe County
Burke County 023 Morganton 1777 Rowan County Named for Thomas Burke (1747–1783), a member of the Continental Congress (an early U.S. government group) and a governor of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&088338.&&&&&088,338 &&&&&&&&&&&&0514.&&&&&0514 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01331.&&&&&01,331 km2)
State map highlighting Burke County
Cabarrus County 025 Concord 1792 Mecklenburg County Named for Stephen Cabarrus (1754–1808), a member of the state legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. &&&&&&&&&0240016.&&&&&0240,016 &&&&&&&&&&&&0364.&&&&&0364 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0943.&&&&&0943 km2)
State map highlighting Cabarrus County
Caldwell County 027 Lenoir 1841 Burke County and Wilkes County Named for Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), the first president of the University of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&080574.&&&&&080,574 &&&&&&&&&&&&0475.&&&&&0475 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01230.&&&&&01,230 km2)
State map highlighting Caldwell County
Camden County 029 Camden 1777 Pasquotank County Named for Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (1714–1794), who was against the taxation of the American colonists. &&&&&&&&&&011137.&&&&&011,137 &&&&&&&&&&&&0310.&&&&&0310 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0803.&&&&&0803 km2)
State map highlighting Camden County
Carteret County 031 Beaufort 1722 Craven County Named for John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited a share of the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather. &&&&&&&&&&069615.&&&&&069,615 &&&&&&&&&&&01330.&&&&&01,330 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&03445.&&&&&03,445 km2)
State map highlighting Carteret County
Caswell County 033 Yanceyville 1777 Orange County Named for Richard Caswell (1729–1789), a member of the first Continental Congress and the first governor of North Carolina after the Declaration of Independence. &&&&&&&&&&022807.&&&&&022,807 &&&&&&&&&&&&0429.&&&&&0429 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01111.&&&&&01,111 km2)
State map highlighting Caswell County
Catawba County 035 Newton 1842 Lincoln County Named for the Catawba Native American tribe. &&&&&&&&&0164645.&&&&&0164,645 &&&&&&&&&&&&0416.&&&&&0416 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01077.&&&&&01,077 km2)
State map highlighting Catawba County
Chatham County 037 Pittsboro 1771 Orange County Named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), who was a Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and later a Prime Minister of Great Britain. &&&&&&&&&&081624.&&&&&081,624 &&&&&&&&&&&&0709.&&&&&0709 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01836.&&&&&01,836 km2)
State map highlighting Chatham County
Cherokee County 039 Murphy 1839 Macon County Named for the Cherokee Native American tribe. &&&&&&&&&&029959.&&&&&029,959 &&&&&&&&&&&&0467.&&&&&0467 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01210.&&&&&01,210 km2)
State map highlighting Cherokee County
Chowan County 041 Edenton 1668 Albemarle County Named for the Chowan Native American tribe. &&&&&&&&&&013891.&&&&&013,891 &&&&&&&&&&&&0234.&&&&&0234 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0606.&&&&&0606 km2)
State map highlighting Chowan County
Clay County 043 Hayesville 1861 Cherokee County Named for Henry Clay (1777–1852), a famous statesman and speaker who represented Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate. &&&&&&&&&&011864.&&&&&011,864 &&&&&&&&&&&&0221.&&&&&0221 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0572.&&&&&0572 km2)
State map highlighting Clay County
Cleveland County 045 Shelby 1841 Lincoln County and Rutherford County Named for Benjamin Cleveland (1738–1806), a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain. &&&&&&&&&0101378.&&&&&0101,378 &&&&&&&&&&&&0468.&&&&&0468 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01212.&&&&&01,212 km2)
State map highlighting Cleveland County
Columbus County 047 Whiteville 1808 Bladen County and Brunswick County Named for Christopher Columbus (1451–1507), a famous navigator and explorer who was one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas. &&&&&&&&&&050121.&&&&&050,121 &&&&&&&&&&&&0955.&&&&&0955 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02473.&&&&&02,473 km2)
State map highlighting Columbus County
Craven County 049 New Bern 1705 Bath County Named for William, Earl of Craven (1608–1697), who was one of the Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&0102391.&&&&&0102,391 &&&&&&&&&&&&0773.&&&&&0773 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02002.&&&&&02,002 km2)
State map highlighting Craven County
Cumberland County 051 Fayetteville 1754 Bladen County Named for Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (1721–1765), a military leader and son of King George II. &&&&&&&&&0337890.&&&&&0337,890 &&&&&&&&&&&&0658.&&&&&0658 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01704.&&&&&01,704 km2)
State map highlighting Cumberland County
Currituck County 053 Currituck 1668 Albemarle County Traditionally a Native American word for wild geese. It was also spelled "Coratank." &&&&&&&&&&031593.&&&&&031,593 &&&&&&&&&&&&0526.&&&&&0526 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01362.&&&&&01,362 km2)
State map highlighting Currituck County
Dare County 055 Manteo 1870 Currituck County, Hyde County, and Tyrrell County Named for Virginia Dare (born 1587), who was the first child born to English parents in America. &&&&&&&&&&038110.&&&&&038,110 &&&&&&&&&&&01542.&&&&&01,542 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&03994.&&&&&03,994 km2)
State map highlighting Dare County
Davidson County 057 Lexington 1822 Rowan County Named for William Lee Davidson (1746–1781), an American Revolutionary War general who was badly wounded in battle. &&&&&&&&&0174804.&&&&&0174,804 &&&&&&&&&&&&0568.&&&&&0568 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01471.&&&&&01,471 km2)
State map highlighting Davidson County
Davie County 059 Mocksville 1836 Rowan County Named for William Richardson Davie (1756–1820), a member of the Federal Convention (where the U.S. Constitution was written) and a governor of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&044599.&&&&&044,599 &&&&&&&&&&&&0266.&&&&&0266 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0689.&&&&&0689 km2)
State map highlighting Davie County
Duplin County 061 Kenansville 1750 New Hanover County Named for Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin (1710–1787), who was the 9th Earl of Kinnoull. &&&&&&&&&&049520.&&&&&049,520 &&&&&&&&&&&&0820.&&&&&0820 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02124.&&&&&02,124 km2)
State map highlighting Duplin County
Durham County 063 Durham 1881 Orange County and Wake County Named after the city of Durham. The city was named in honor of Dr. Bartlett Snipes Durham, who gave the land where the city was first built. &&&&&&&&&0336892.&&&&&0336,892 &&&&&&&&&&&&0298.&&&&&0298 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0772.&&&&&0772 km2)
State map highlighting Durham County
Edgecombe County 065 Tarboro 1741 Bertie County Named for Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe (1680–1758), who held important financial roles in the British government. &&&&&&&&&&048832.&&&&&048,832 &&&&&&&&&&&&0507.&&&&&0507 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01313.&&&&&01,313 km2)
State map highlighting Edgecombe County
Forsyth County 067 Winston-Salem 1849 Stokes County Named for Benjamin Forsyth (died 1814), an American officer during the War of 1812. &&&&&&&&&0392921.&&&&&0392,921 &&&&&&&&&&&&0412.&&&&&0412 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01067.&&&&&01,067 km2)
State map highlighting Forsyth County
Franklin County 069 Louisburg 1779 Bute County Named for Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), a famous author, politician, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. &&&&&&&&&&077001.&&&&&077,001 &&&&&&&&&&&&0494.&&&&&0494 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01279.&&&&&01,279 km2)
State map highlighting Franklin County
Gaston County 071 Gastonia 1846 Lincoln County Named for William Gaston (1778–1844), a U.S. Congressman and a justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. &&&&&&&&&0237242.&&&&&0237,242 &&&&&&&&&&&&0364.&&&&&0364 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0943.&&&&&0943 km2)
State map highlighting Gaston County
Gates County 073 Gatesville 1779 Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans County Named for Horatio Gates (1727–1806), an American general during the American Revolutionary War who fought in the Battle of Saratoga. &&&&&&&&&&010343.&&&&&010,343 &&&&&&&&&&&&0346.&&&&&0346 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0896.&&&&&0896 km2)
State map highlighting Gates County
Graham County 075 Robbinsville 1872 Cherokee County Named for William Alexander Graham (1804–1875), a U.S. Senator, a governor of North Carolina, and a United States Secretary of the Navy. &&&&&&&&&&&08052.&&&&&08,052 &&&&&&&&&&&&0302.&&&&&0302 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0782.&&&&&0782 km2)
State map highlighting Graham County
Granville County 077 Oxford 1746 Edgecombe County Named for John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited a share of the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather. &&&&&&&&&&062192.&&&&&062,192 &&&&&&&&&&&&0538.&&&&&0538 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01393.&&&&&01,393 km2)
State map highlighting Granville County
Greene County 079 Snow Hill 1799 Dobbs County Named for Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. It was originally named Glasgow County. &&&&&&&&&&020530.&&&&&020,530 &&&&&&&&&&&&0267.&&&&&0267 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0692.&&&&&0692 km2)
State map highlighting Greene County
Guilford County 081 Greensboro 1771 Orange County and Rowan County Named for Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford (1704–1790), a British politician and father of Prime Minister Frederick North. &&&&&&&&&0549866.&&&&&0549,866 &&&&&&&&&&&&0658.&&&&&0658 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01704.&&&&&01,704 km2)
State map highlighting Guilford County
Halifax County 083 Halifax 1758 Edgecombe County Named for George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716–1771), a British statesman and president of the Board of Trade. &&&&&&&&&&047298.&&&&&047,298 &&&&&&&&&&&&0730.&&&&&0730 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01891.&&&&&01,891 km2)
State map highlighting Halifax County
Harnett County 085 Lillington 1855 Cumberland County Named for Cornelius Harnett (1723–1781), an American Revolutionary and a delegate in the Continental Congress. &&&&&&&&&0141477.&&&&&0141,477 &&&&&&&&&&&&0601.&&&&&0601 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01557.&&&&&01,557 km2)
State map highlighting Harnett County
Haywood County 087 Waynesville 1808 Buncombe County Named for John Haywood (1754–1827), who was the North Carolina State Treasurer. &&&&&&&&&&062969.&&&&&062,969 &&&&&&&&&&&&0555.&&&&&0555 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01437.&&&&&01,437 km2)
State map highlighting Haywood County
Henderson County 089 Hendersonville 1838 Buncombe County Named for Leonard Henderson (1772–1833), Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. &&&&&&&&&0119230.&&&&&0119,230 &&&&&&&&&&&&0375.&&&&&0375 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0971.&&&&&0971 km2)
State map highlighting Henderson County
Hertford County 091 Winton 1759 Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County Named for Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford (1718–1794), who served King George II and George III. &&&&&&&&&&019453.&&&&&019,453 &&&&&&&&&&&&0360.&&&&&0360 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0932.&&&&&0932 km2)
State map highlighting Hertford County
Hoke County 093 Raeford 1911 Cumberland County and Robeson County Named for Robert Hoke (1837–1912), a Confederate general during the American Civil War. &&&&&&&&&&054446.&&&&&054,446 &&&&&&&&&&&&0392.&&&&&0392 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01015.&&&&&01,015 km2)
State map highlighting Hoke County
Hyde County 095 Swan Quarter 1712 Bath County Named for Edward Hyde (1667–1712), a governor of colonial North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&&04607.&&&&&04,607 &&&&&&&&&&&01459.&&&&&01,459 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&03779.&&&&&03,779 km2)
State map highlighting Hyde County
Iredell County 097 Statesville 1788 Rowan County Named for James Iredell (1751–1799), an early justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. &&&&&&&&&0199710.&&&&&0199,710 &&&&&&&&&&&&0597.&&&&&0597 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01546.&&&&&01,546 km2)
State map highlighting Iredell County
Jackson County 099 Sylva 1851 Haywood County and Macon County Named for Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the 7th President of the United States. &&&&&&&&&&044574.&&&&&044,574 &&&&&&&&&&&&0495.&&&&&0495 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01282.&&&&&01,282 km2)
State map highlighting Jackson County
Johnston County 101 Smithfield 1746 Craven County Named for Gabriel Johnston (1699–1752), a governor of colonial North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&0241955.&&&&&0241,955 &&&&&&&&&&&&0796.&&&&&0796 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02062.&&&&&02,062 km2)
State map highlighting Johnston County
Jones County 103 Trenton 1779 Craven County Named for Willie Jones (1740–1801), who was against the ratification (approval) of the U.S. Constitution. &&&&&&&&&&&09401.&&&&&09,401 &&&&&&&&&&&&0474.&&&&&0474 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01228.&&&&&01,228 km2)
State map highlighting Jones County
Lee County 105 Sanford 1907 Chatham County and Moore County Named for Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), a general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War. &&&&&&&&&&067059.&&&&&067,059 &&&&&&&&&&&&0259.&&&&&0259 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0671.&&&&&0671 km2)
State map highlighting Lee County
Lenoir County 107 Kinston 1791 Dobbs County Named for William Lenoir (1751–1839), a captain in the American Revolutionary War who fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain. &&&&&&&&&&054895.&&&&&054,895 &&&&&&&&&&&&0401.&&&&&0401 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01039.&&&&&01,039 km2)
State map highlighting Lenoir County
Lincoln County 109 Lincolnton 1779 Tryon County Named for Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a major general during the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Siege of Yorktown. &&&&&&&&&&095675.&&&&&095,675 &&&&&&&&&&&&0305.&&&&&0305 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0790.&&&&&0790 km2)
State map highlighting Lincoln County
Macon County 113 Franklin 1828 Haywood County Named for Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), a member and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. &&&&&&&&&&038412.&&&&&038,412 &&&&&&&&&&&&0520.&&&&&0520 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01347.&&&&&01,347 km2)
State map highlighting Macon County
Madison County 115 Marshall 1851 Buncombe County and Yancey County Named for James Madison (1751–1836), the 4th President of the United States. &&&&&&&&&&022071.&&&&&022,071 &&&&&&&&&&&&0451.&&&&&0451 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01168.&&&&&01,168 km2)
State map highlighting Madison County
Martin County 117 Williamston 1774 Halifax County and Tyrrell County Named for Josiah Martin (1737–1786), the last governor of colonial North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&021447.&&&&&021,447 &&&&&&&&&&&&0457.&&&&&0457 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01184.&&&&&01,184 km2)
State map highlighting Martin County
McDowell County 111 Marion 1842 Burke County and Rutherford County Named for Joseph McDowell (1756–1801), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War who fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain. &&&&&&&&&&044893.&&&&&044,893 &&&&&&&&&&&&0445.&&&&&0445 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01153.&&&&&01,153 km2)
State map highlighting McDowell County
Mecklenburg County 119 Charlotte 1762 Anson County Named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818), who was the queen of King George III of the United Kingdom. &&&&&&&&01163701.&&&&&01,163,701 &&&&&&&&&&&&0546.&&&&&0546 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01414.&&&&&01,414 km2)
State map highlighting Mecklenburg County
Mitchell County 121 Bakersville 1861 Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County Named for Elisha Mitchell (1793–1857), a professor at the University of North Carolina who measured the height of Mount Mitchell. &&&&&&&&&&014999.&&&&&014,999 &&&&&&&&&&&&0222.&&&&&0222 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0575.&&&&&0575 km2)
State map highlighting Mitchell County
Montgomery County 123 Troy 1779 Anson County Named for Richard Montgomery (1738–1775), a major general during the American Revolutionary War who was killed in battle. &&&&&&&&&&026085.&&&&&026,085 &&&&&&&&&&&&0502.&&&&&0502 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01300.&&&&&01,300 km2)
State map highlighting Montgomery County
Moore County 125 Carthage 1784 Cumberland County Named for Alfred Moore (1755–1810), a captain in the American Revolutionary War and a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. &&&&&&&&&0106898.&&&&&0106,898 &&&&&&&&&&&&0706.&&&&&0706 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01829.&&&&&01,829 km2)
State map highlighting Moore County
Nash County 127 Nashville 1777 Edgecombe County Named for Francis Nash (1742–1777), a general in the American Revolutionary War who was badly wounded in battle. &&&&&&&&&&096551.&&&&&096,551 &&&&&&&&&&&&0543.&&&&&0543 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01406.&&&&&01,406 km2)
State map highlighting Nash County
New Hanover County 129 Wilmington 1729 Craven County Named for the royal family of England, the House of Hanover. &&&&&&&&&0238852.&&&&&0238,852 &&&&&&&&&&&&0329.&&&&&0329 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0852.&&&&&0852 km2)
State map highlighting New Hanover County
Northampton County 131 Jackson 1741 Bertie County Named for James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton (1687–1754), a British noble and politician. &&&&&&&&&&016715.&&&&&016,715 &&&&&&&&&&&&0551.&&&&&0551 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01427.&&&&&01,427 km2)
State map highlighting Northampton County
Onslow County 133 Jacksonville 1734 New Hanover County Named for Arthur Onslow (1691–1768), Speaker of the House of Commons (a leader in the British Parliament). &&&&&&&&&0213676.&&&&&0213,676 &&&&&&&&&&&&0905.&&&&&0905 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02344.&&&&&02,344 km2)
State map highlighting Onslow County
Orange County 135 Hillsborough 1752 Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County The exact reason for the name is unknown. It might be named after Prince William V of Orange (1748–1806), or William of Orange (1650–1702), who became King of England. &&&&&&&&&0150626.&&&&&0150,626 &&&&&&&&&&&&0401.&&&&&0401 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01039.&&&&&01,039 km2)
State map highlighting Orange County
Pamlico County 137 Bayboro 1872 Beaufort County and Craven County Named for Pamlico Sound and the Pamlico Native American tribe. &&&&&&&&&&012423.&&&&&012,423 &&&&&&&&&&&&0562.&&&&&0562 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01456.&&&&&01,456 km2)
State map highlighting Pamlico County
Pasquotank County 139 Elizabeth City 1668 Albemarle County Comes from the Native American word "pasketanki," meaning "where the current of the stream divides or forks." &&&&&&&&&&041444.&&&&&041,444 &&&&&&&&&&&&0289.&&&&&0289 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0749.&&&&&0749 km2)
State map highlighting Pasquotank County
Pender County 141 Burgaw 1875 New Hanover County Named for William Dorsey Pender (1834–1863), a Confederate soldier who was badly wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. &&&&&&&&&&068521.&&&&&068,521 &&&&&&&&&&&&0934.&&&&&0934 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02419.&&&&&02,419 km2)
State map highlighting Pender County
Perquimans County 143 Hertford 1668 Albemarle County The Native American word "perquimans" means "land of beautiful women." It was named by a group of the Yeopim tribe. &&&&&&&&&&013377.&&&&&013,377 &&&&&&&&&&&&0329.&&&&&0329 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0852.&&&&&0852 km2)
State map highlighting Perquimans County
Person County 145 Roxboro 1791 Caswell County Named for Thomas Person, a patriot during the American Revolutionary War. &&&&&&&&&&039737.&&&&&039,737 &&&&&&&&&&&&0404.&&&&&0404 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01046.&&&&&01,046 km2)
State map highlighting Person County
Pitt County 147 Greenville 1760 Beaufort County Named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), who was a Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and later a Prime Minister of Great Britain. &&&&&&&&&0175119.&&&&&0175,119 &&&&&&&&&&&&0656.&&&&&0656 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01699.&&&&&01,699 km2)
State map highlighting Pitt County
Polk County 149 Columbus 1855 Henderson County and Rutherford County Named for William Polk (1758–1834), an officer in the American Revolutionary War and the first president of the State Bank of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&020060.&&&&&020,060 &&&&&&&&&&&&0238.&&&&&0238 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0616.&&&&&0616 km2)
State map highlighting Polk County
Randolph County 151 Asheboro 1779 Guilford County Named for Peyton Randolph (around 1721–1755), the first President of the Continental Congress. &&&&&&&&&0147458.&&&&&0147,458 &&&&&&&&&&&&0790.&&&&&0790 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02046.&&&&&02,046 km2)
State map highlighting Randolph County
Richmond County 153 Rockingham 1779 Anson County Named for Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond (1735–1806), who strongly supported the American colonists and wanted British troops removed. &&&&&&&&&&042324.&&&&&042,324 &&&&&&&&&&&&0480.&&&&&0480 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01243.&&&&&01,243 km2)
State map highlighting Richmond County
Robeson County 155 Lumberton 1787 Bladen County Named for Thomas Robeson, an officer in the American Revolutionary War. &&&&&&&&&0117365.&&&&&0117,365 &&&&&&&&&&&&0949.&&&&&0949 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02458.&&&&&02,458 km2)
State map highlighting Robeson County
Rockingham County 157 Wentworth 1785 Guilford County Named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730–1782), a British statesman and a two-time Prime Minister of Great Britain. &&&&&&&&&&092518.&&&&&092,518 &&&&&&&&&&&&0573.&&&&&0573 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01484.&&&&&01,484 km2)
State map highlighting Rockingham County
Rowan County 159 Salisbury 1753 Anson County Named for Matthew Rowan (died 1769), who was the acting Governor of colonial North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&0151661.&&&&&0151,661 &&&&&&&&&&&&0524.&&&&&0524 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01357.&&&&&01,357 km2)
State map highlighting Rowan County
Rutherford County 161 Rutherfordton 1779 Tryon County Named for Griffith Rutherford (around 1721–1805), an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a political leader in North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&065507.&&&&&065,507 &&&&&&&&&&&&0567.&&&&&0567 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01469.&&&&&01,469 km2)
State map highlighting Rutherford County
Sampson County 163 Clinton 1784 Duplin County Named for John Sampson, a member of Governor Josiah Martin's council. &&&&&&&&&&059601.&&&&&059,601 &&&&&&&&&&&&0948.&&&&&0948 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02455.&&&&&02,455 km2)
State map highlighting Sampson County
Scotland County 165 Laurinburg 1899 Richmond County Named for the country Scotland, which is part of the United Kingdom. &&&&&&&&&&034376.&&&&&034,376 &&&&&&&&&&&&0321.&&&&&0321 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0831.&&&&&0831 km2)
State map highlighting Scotland County
Stanly County 167 Albemarle 1841 Montgomery County Named for John Stanly (1774–1834), a U.S. Congressman and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons. &&&&&&&&&&065699.&&&&&065,699 &&&&&&&&&&&&0405.&&&&&0405 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01049.&&&&&01,049 km2)
State map highlighting Stanly County
Stokes County 169 Danbury 1789 Surry County Named for John Stokes, a soldier of the Revolution who was seriously wounded in battle. &&&&&&&&&&045532.&&&&&045,532 &&&&&&&&&&&&0456.&&&&&0456 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01181.&&&&&01,181 km2)
State map highlighting Stokes County
Surry County 171 Dobson 1771 Rowan County Named for the county of Surrey in England, which was the birthplace of the governor at the time, William Tryon. &&&&&&&&&&071462.&&&&&071,462 &&&&&&&&&&&&0537.&&&&&0537 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01391.&&&&&01,391 km2)
State map highlighting Surry County
Swain County 173 Bryson City 1871 Jackson County and Macon County Named for David Lowry Swain (1801–1868), a governor of North Carolina and president of the University of North Carolina. &&&&&&&&&&013916.&&&&&013,916 &&&&&&&&&&&&0540.&&&&&0540 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01399.&&&&&01,399 km2)
State map highlighting Swain County
Transylvania County 175 Brevard 1861 Henderson County and Jackson County Comes from the Latin words, trans meaning "across" and sylva meaning "woods." So, "across the woods." &&&&&&&&&&033549.&&&&&033,549 &&&&&&&&&&&&0380.&&&&&0380 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0984.&&&&&0984 km2)
State map highlighting Transylvania County
Tyrrell County 177 Columbia 1729 Chowan County, Currituck County, and Pasquotank County Named for John Tyrrell, who was once one of the Lords Proprietor. &&&&&&&&&&&03461.&&&&&03,461 &&&&&&&&&&&&0597.&&&&&0597 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01546.&&&&&01,546 km2)
State map highlighting Tyrrell County
Union County 179 Monroe 1842 Anson County and Mecklenburg County Created as a compromise after a disagreement between local political groups (Whigs and Democrats) about whether to name it Clay or Jackson county. &&&&&&&&&0256452.&&&&&0256,452 &&&&&&&&&&&&0640.&&&&&0640 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01658.&&&&&01,658 km2)
State map highlighting Union County
Vance County 181 Henderson 1881 Franklin County, Granville County, and Warren County Named for Zebulon Baird Vance (1830–1894), a Confederate military officer in the American Civil War. He was also a two-time governor of North Carolina and a U.S. Senator. &&&&&&&&&&042301.&&&&&042,301 &&&&&&&&&&&&0269.&&&&&0269 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0697.&&&&&0697 km2)
State map highlighting Vance County
Wake County 183 Raleigh 1771 Cumberland County, Johnston County, and Orange County Named for Margaret Wake, the wife of British colonial governor William Tryon. &&&&&&&&01190275.&&&&&01,190,275 &&&&&&&&&&&&0857.&&&&&0857 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&02220.&&&&&02,220 km2)
State map highlighting Wake County
Warren County 185 Warrenton 1779 Bute County Named for Joseph Warren (1741–1775), a Patriot who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. &&&&&&&&&&018836.&&&&&018,836 &&&&&&&&&&&&0444.&&&&&0444 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01150.&&&&&01,150 km2)
State map highlighting Warren County
Washington County 187 Plymouth 1799 Tyrrell County Named for George Washington (1732–1799), the 1st president of the United States. &&&&&&&&&&010713.&&&&&010,713 &&&&&&&&&&&&0422.&&&&&0422 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01093.&&&&&01,093 km2)
State map highlighting Washington County
Watauga County 189 Boone 1849 Ashe County, Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County Named for the Watauga River, which comes from a Native American word meaning "beautiful water." &&&&&&&&&&054748.&&&&&054,748 &&&&&&&&&&&&0313.&&&&&0313 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0811.&&&&&0811 km2)
State map highlighting Watauga County
Wayne County 191 Goldsboro 1779 Dobbs County Named for Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), a general in the American Revolutionary War. &&&&&&&&&0118686.&&&&&0118,686 &&&&&&&&&&&&0558.&&&&&0558 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01445.&&&&&01,445 km2)
State map highlighting Wayne County
Wilkes County 193 Wilkesboro 1777 Surry County Named for John Wilkes (1725–1797), an English journalist and politician. &&&&&&&&&&066013.&&&&&066,013 &&&&&&&&&&&&0756.&&&&&0756 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&01958.&&&&&01,958 km2)
State map highlighting Wilkes County
Wilson County 195 Wilson 1855 Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash County, and Wayne County Named for Louis D. Wilson, a state lawmaker who died during the Mexican–American War. &&&&&&&&&&078970.&&&&&078,970 &&&&&&&&&&&&0373.&&&&&0373 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0966.&&&&&0966 km2)
State map highlighting Wilson County
Yadkin County 197 Yadkinville 1850 Surry County Named for the Yadkin River. &&&&&&&&&&037774.&&&&&037,774 &&&&&&&&&&&&0338.&&&&&0338 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0875.&&&&&0875 km2)
State map highlighting Yadkin County
Yancey County 199 Burnsville 1833 Buncombe County and Burke County Named for Bartlett Yancey (1785–1828), a U.S. Congressman, a leader in the state Senate, and an early supporter of North Carolina's public school system. &&&&&&&&&&018938.&&&&&018,938 &&&&&&&&&&&&0313.&&&&&0313 sq mi
(&&&&&&&&&&&&0811.&&&&&0811 km2)
State map highlighting Yancey County

Historic Counties

Some counties in North Carolina's history no longer exist today. They were either divided into new counties or completely removed.

County Created Abolished What Happened to It
Albemarle County 1664 1738 Divided into Chowan County, Currituck County, Pasquotank County, and Perquimans County.
Bath County 1696 1738 Divided into Beaufort County, Craven County, and Hyde County.
Bute County 1764 1779 Divided into Franklin County and Warren County.
Dobbs County 1758 1791 Divided into Greene County, Lenoir County, and Wayne County.
Tryon County 1768 1779 Divided into Lincoln County and Rutherford County.

For a few months in 1784, Cumberland County was known as Fayette County. It even sent representatives to the state government under that name.

Proposed Counties That Weren't Created

Throughout North Carolina's history, two counties were officially suggested but never actually created. These were Hooper County (in 1851) and Lillington County (in 1859). Hooper County was planned to be made from parts of Richmond and Robeson Counties. Lillington County was meant to be created from parts of New Hanover County. Both ideas were voted on but did not pass. Later, Scotland County was created in the area where Hooper County was proposed, and Pender County was created where Lillington County was suggested.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Condados de Carolina del Norte para niños

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