Stokes County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Stokes County

U.S. county

Stokes County Courthouse in Danbury

Flag

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina

North Carolina's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

North Carolina

Founded

1789

John Stokes

Largest community

Area

• Total

456.14 sq mi (1,181.4 km²)

• Land

449.35 sq mi (1,163.8 km²)

• Water

6.79 sq mi (17.6 km²) 1.49%

Population

(2020)

• Total

44,520

• Estimate

(2023)

45,532

• Density

99.08/sq mi (38.26/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

5th

Stokes County is a county in North Carolina, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 44,520 people lived there. The main town and county seat is Danbury.

Stokes County is part of the larger Winston-Salem area. This area is also part of the Piedmont Triad, which includes Greensboro and High Point.

History of Stokes County

Ruins of the Rock House, built around 1770 by Captain Jack Martin.

Stokes County was created in 1789 from Surry County. Before 1770, it was part of Rowan County. The county is named after John Stokes. He was a brave captain in the American Revolutionary War. He was badly hurt in a battle in 1780. After the war, he became a judge.

In 1849, the southern part of Stokes County became Forsyth County.

Early Settlers and the Great Wagon Road

Most people settled in Stokes County between 1750 and 1775. The Great Wagon Road was a major travel route. It went through the eastern part of the county. This road helped many settlers come from Virginia and other colonies like Pennsylvania.

Stokes County During the Civil War

When North Carolina decided to leave the United States in 1861, John Hill represented Stokes County. Sadly, he died during the meeting in Raleigh. He is buried near Germanton.

During the American Civil War, the Moratock Iron Furnace near Danbury made metal for the Confederate Army. Union soldiers destroyed it in April 1865. This happened when General George Stoneman's cavalry rode through the area.

Hanging Rock State Park's Beginning

Hanging Rock State Park was created mostly from land given in 1936. By 2005, it covered about 6,921 acres (28 square kilometers). Many buildings and paths in the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This group worked there between 1935 and 1942. The park is on top of the Sauratown Mountains. It has a visitor center, a lake, and many trails for hiking and climbing. There are also picnic areas and places to camp.

Geography and Nature

The Sauratown Mountains stand out in Stokes County. The Blue Ridge Mountains are in the distance.

Stokes County covers about 456 square miles (1,181 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

The county is in the Piedmont region of western North Carolina. This means the land is mostly gently rolling hills. Stokes County is also part of Appalachia. The Sauratown Mountains run through the middle of the county. These mountains are named after the Saura Native American tribe. They lived in the county before European settlers arrived.

The Sauratown Mountains are a chain of jagged ridges. They are a small part of the Blue Ridge Mountains that are much further west. Even though they only cover a small part of Stokes County, they are very noticeable. They rise sharply from 800 to 1,700 feet (244 to 518 meters) above the land around them. Moore's Knob is the highest point, reaching 2,579 feet (786 meters). Most of the county is less than 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level.

The Dan River flows through Stokes County for over 56 miles (90 kilometers). This river is great for recreation. Stokes County is home to Hanging Rock State Park. It also has most of Belews Lake in its southeastern corner.

Climate and Weather Patterns

Weather chart for Danbury, NC

3.7

4.3

3.6

4.3

4.6

3.6

3.3

3.6

temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: Applied Climate Information System

Metric conversion

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
93 9 -4	77 11 -3	109 16 -0	90 21 4	102 25 10	102 29 15	127 31 18	109 30 17	116 27 12	91 22 5	83 17 0	91 11 -3
temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm

Stokes County has a mixed-humid climate. This means it gets both warm and cold weather, with plenty of rain. In Danbury, the county seat, about 39.73 inches (100.9 centimeters) of rain falls each year. About 9.0 inches (22.9 centimeters) of snow also falls.

Temperatures usually range from a low of 24.2°F (–4.3°C) in January to a high of 87.7°F (30.9°C) in July. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 103.0°F (39.4°C) in August 1983. The coldest was –10°F (–23.3°C) in January 1985. In 1996, a big snowstorm brought 34.0 inches (86.4 centimeters) of snow over three days.

Protected Natural Areas

East Walnut Cove Community Park
Hanging Rock State Park
Hill Farm Game Land

Major Rivers and Lakes

Belews Creek
Belews Lake
Big Beaver Island Creek
Big Creek
Buffalo Creek
Crooked Creek
Dan River
Flat Shoal Creek
Little Dan River
Little Neatman Creek
Little Peters Creek
Little Yadkin River
Mill Creek
Neatman Creek
Oldfield Creek
Peters Creek
Pinch Gut Creek
Snow Creek
Vade Mecum Creek

Neighboring Counties

Patrick County, Virginia – to the north
Henry County, Virginia – to the northeast
Rockingham County – to the east
Guilford County – to the southeast
Forsyth County – to the south
Surry County – to the west

Main Roads and Highways

Future I-74
US 52
US 311
NC 8
NC 65
NC 66
NC 89
NC 268
NC 704
NC 770
NC 772

People of Stokes County

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	8,423	—
1800	11,026	30.9%
1810	11,645	5.6%
1820	14,033	20.5%
1830	16,196	15.4%
1840	16,265	0.4%
1850	9,206	−43.4%
1860	10,402	13.0%
1870	11,208	7.7%
1880	15,353	37.0%
1890	17,199	12.0%
1900	19,866	15.5%
1910	20,151	1.4%
1920	20,575	2.1%
1930	22,290	8.3%
1940	22,656	1.6%
1950	21,520	−5.0%
1960	22,314	3.7%
1970	23,782	6.6%
1980	33,086	39.1%
1990	37,223	12.5%
2000	44,712	20.1%
2010	47,401	6.0%
2020	44,520	−6.1%
2023 (est.)	45,532	−3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020

In 2020, the census counted 44,520 people living in Stokes County. There were 19,578 households and 13,348 families. Most people living in the county are White.

Economy and Jobs

Stokes County is often called a "bedroom community." This means many people who live here travel to bigger towns for work. These towns include Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Mount Airy.

The county has faced challenges in growing its economy. However, many small and medium-sized businesses have found success. There are also retail stores, restaurants, and service businesses. The biggest employer in Stokes County is the local government and school system. In 2023, the county was rated as a "Tier 2" county. This means its economy is somewhere between the most successful and the most struggling counties in the state.

Education in Stokes County

Stokes County Schools serves the county's students. It has 11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 5 high schools. There is also an early college program.

Communities in Stokes County

Map of Stokes County showing its towns and townships.

Cities in Stokes County

Danbury (This is the county seat, where the main government offices are.)
King (This is the largest community. Part of it is also in Forsyth County.)

Towns in Stokes County

Walnut Cove
Stokesdale (Most of this town is in Guilford County.)

Villages in Stokes County

Tobaccoville (Part of this village is also in Forsyth County.)

Census-Designated Places

These are areas that are like towns but are not officially incorporated.

Other Communities (Unincorporated)

Townships

Townships are smaller areas within a county, often used for local government or land division.

Beaver Island
Big Creek
Danbury
Meadows
Peters Creek
Quaker Gap
Sauratown
Snow Creek
Yadkin

Images for kids

Stokes County Courthouse in Danbury
Seal of Stokes County
Flag of Stokes County