Swain County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swain County
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Old Swain County Courthouse in Bryson City
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Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
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 North Carolina's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  North Carolina |
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| Founded | 1871 | |
| Named for | David L. Swain | |
| Seat | Bryson City | |
| Largest town | Bryson City | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 541 sq mi (1,400 km2) | |
| • Land | 528 sq mi (1,370 km2) | |
| • Water | 13 sq mi (30 km2) 2.3%% | |
| Population | ||
| • Estimate
(2018)
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14,245 | |
| • Density | 26/sq mi (10/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 11th | |
Swain County is a county located on the far western border of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,981. Its county seat is Bryson City.
Four rivers flow through the mountainous terrain of Swain County: the Nantahala, Oconaluftee, Tuckaseegee and the Little Tennessee. Their valleys were occupied for thousands of years by various societies of indigenous peoples, including the South Appalachian Mississippian culture era, and the historic Cherokee people. Today Native Americans, mostly members of the federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, comprise 29% of the population in Swain County.
Contents
History
The county was formed in 1871 from parts of Jackson County and Macon County. It was named for David L. Swain, governor of North Carolina from 1832 to 1835, and president of the University of North Carolina from 1835 to 1868.
In 2011, the Swain County High School football team captured its eighth state football championship, winning the state 1A championships by a score of 20-14 over the Ayden-Grifton Chargers. The Maroon Devils as a team won three consecutive state championships (1988, 1989, 1990); several noteworthy players were on this team while being led by former University of Tennessee and National Football League quarterback and departing U.S. Representative Heath Shuler (Source: North Carolina High School Athletic Association). The school has also won one state championship in volleyball (2008) and two team state championships in cross country (1999 and 2000).
In 2006, the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NC-200610) was established at Swain County High School. The unit was created to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline, and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 541 square miles (1,400 km2), of which 528 square miles (1,370 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (2.3%) is water.
The county is located in the western part of North Carolina in the Great Smoky Mountains and has a larger proportion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than any other county in North Carolina or Tennessee.
The highest point in the county is Clingmans Dome, elevation 6,643 feet, located on the NC/TN border. This mountain is the third highest peak in North Carolina, and an observation tower is located on its summit.
Adjacent counties
- Sevier County, Tennessee - north
- Haywood County - east
- Jackson County - southeast
- Macon County - south
- Graham County - southwest
- Blount County, Tennessee - northwest
National protected areas
- Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (part)
- Nantahala National Forest (part)
- Cherokee Indian Reservation, Eastern Band of Cherokees (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 3,784 | — | |
| 1890 | 6,577 | 73.8% | |
| 1900 | 8,401 | 27.7% | |
| 1910 | 10,403 | 23.8% | |
| 1920 | 13,224 | 27.1% | |
| 1930 | 11,568 | −12.5% | |
| 1940 | 12,177 | 5.3% | |
| 1950 | 9,921 | −18.5% | |
| 1960 | 8,387 | −15.5% | |
| 1970 | 7,861 | −6.3% | |
| 1980 | 10,283 | 30.8% | |
| 1990 | 11,268 | 9.6% | |
| 2000 | 12,968 | 15.1% | |
| 2010 | 13,981 | 7.8% | |
| 2020 | 14,117 | 1.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 |
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2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 8,541 | 60.5% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 102 | 0.72% |
| Native American | 4,030 | 28.55% |
| Asian | 53 | 0.38% |
| Pacific Islander | 10 | 0.07% |
| Other/Mixed | 789 | 5.59% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 592 | 4.19% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 14,117 people, 5,620 households, and 3,615 families residing in the county.
Transportation
Major highways
US 19
US 74
US 129
US 441
NC 28
Railroads
Swain County has one railroad, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which has its headquarters in Bryson City.
Communities
Town
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Townships
- Charleston
- Forney Creek
- Nantahala
Education
Swain County Schools serves all of the county except for the part in the Cherokee reservation, which is in Cherokee Central Schools. Swain County High School serves the former and Cherokee Central High School serves the latter.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Swain para niños
 | Raymond Telles |
 | Esteban Torres |
 | Romualdo Pacheco |
 | Raúl Héctor Castro |
