Caldwell County, North Carolina

Caldwell County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As at the 2010 census, the population was 83,029.[1] Its county seat is Lenoir.[2]

Caldwell County
U.S. county
Caldwell County Courthouse in Lenoir
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°57′N 81°33′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1841
Named forJoseph Caldwell
SeatLenoir
Largest cityLenoir
Area
 • Total474 sq mi (1,230 km2)
 • Land472 sq mi (1,220 km2)
 • Water2.7 sq mi (7 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
82,029
 • Density176/sq mi (68/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.caldwellcountync.org

Caldwell County is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke County and Wilkes County. It was named for Joseph Caldwell, presiding professor (1796–1797, 1799–1804) and the first president (1804–1812, 1816–1835) of the University of North Carolina.

A series of reductions in the county's territory followed. In 1847 parts of Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County were combined to form Alexander County. In 1849 parts of Caldwell County, Ashe County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County were combined to form Watauga County. In 1861, parts of Caldwell County, Burke County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County were combined to form Mitchell County. Finally, in 1911 parts of Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County were combined to form Avery County.

Geography
The rocky outcropping of Blowing Rock in the town of Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 474 square miles (1,230 km2), of which 472 square miles (1,220 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3]

Caldwell County is divided into three distinct geographic sections: the Blue Ridge Mountains, which dominate the northern and western parts of the county; the gently rolling Piedmont country in the middle and southern parts of the county; and the Brushy Mountains, an isolated remnant of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The "Brushies", as they are often called, run across much of Caldwell County's eastern section. Hibriten Mountain, located within the city limits of Lenoir, the county's largest city, marks the western end of the Brushy Mountain range. In the western part of the county is the Wilson Creek area.

National protected areas

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18506,317—
18607,49718.7%
18708,47613.1%
188010,29121.4%
189012,29819.5%
190015,69427.6%
191020,57931.1%
192019,984−2.9%
193028,01640.2%
194035,79527.8%
195043,35221.1%
196049,55214.3%
197056,69914.4%
198067,74619.5%
199070,7094.4%
200077,4159.5%
201083,0297.3%
2018 (est.)82,029[4]−1.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2014[1]

As of the census of 2010,[9] there were 83,029 people, 33,388 households, and 23,456 families residing in the county. The population density was 176.1 people per square mile (109.4/km2). There were 37,659 housing units at an average density of 79.9 per square mile (49.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.24% White, 4.92% Black or African American, 0.52% Asian, 0.31% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.47% from other races, and 1.51% from two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino (of any race) population was 4.57%.

There were 33,388 households, of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.16% were married couples living together, 12.52% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.75% were non-families. 25.39% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 41.16% of those households had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.

Of the county's entire population, 22.63% was under the age of 18, 18.33% were 18 to 34, 22.44% were 35 to 49, 21.17% were 50 to 64, and 15.44% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females there were 96.84 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.06 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,853, and the median income for a family was $47,028. Males had a median income of $36,429 versus $31,221 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,397. About 15.3% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.8% of single mothers and 13.2% of people age 65 or over.

Law and government

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners. They are elected by popular vote and appoint a County Manager to handle daily operations, currently Stan Kiser.[10][11] The members of the Board of Commissioners are Jeff Branch, Randy Church, Mike LaBrose, Donnie Potter, and Robbie Wilkie.[12] Caldwell County's sheriff is Alan C. Jones.[13] The Clerk of Superior Court is Angela Ashley Kidd.[14] The County's Register of Deeds is Wayne Rash.[15] Caldwell County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.[16]

In the North Carolina General Assembly, the county is represented by Republican Warren Daniel in the North Carolina Senate, as part of N.C. Senate District 46, and by Republican Destin Hall in the North Carolina House of Representatives, as N.C. House District 87.[17][18]

Caldwell County is part of North Carolina's 11th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives and was represented by Republican Mark Meadows until he resigned the seat in March 2020 to become White House Chief of Staff. The seat for NC-11 is currently vacant until the November election, but Caldwell County will be moving to North Carolina's 5th congressional district in 2021 per the latest court ruling involving redistricting in North Carolina.[19][20][21]

Caldwell County's partisan lean is very Republican. Of the county's elected legislative representatives at the county, state, and national level, all are Republicans. Since 2010, the average federal election vote in Caldwell County goes 70% Republican.[22][23][24][25][26]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 75.0% 32,119 23.9% 10,245 1.1% 465
2016 73.3% 26,621 23.2% 8,425 3.5% 1,274
2012 66.9% 23,229 31.4% 10,898 1.7% 605
2008 64.1% 22,526 34.4% 12,081 1.6% 548
2004 67.6% 21,186 31.9% 9,999 0.5% 163
2000 66.4% 17,337 32.9% 8,588 0.7% 190
1996 55.2% 12,653 35.1% 8,050 9.7% 2,228
1992 49.0% 12,543 35.3% 9,033 15.6% 4,000
1988 65.8% 15,176 34.1% 7,862 0.1% 33
1984 69.8% 17,024 30.0% 7,311 0.2% 59
1980 58.1% 12,965 39.2% 8,738 2.7% 607
1976 45.2% 9,872 54.4% 11,894 0.5% 100
1972 71.4% 12,976 26.9% 4,886 1.7% 309
1968 51.5% 10,433 23.4% 4,746 25.1% 5,095
1964 44.6% 8,733 55.4% 10,846
1960 57.0% 11,553 43.0% 8,722
1956 61.2% 10,833 38.8% 6,861
1952 54.9% 9,160 45.1% 7,533
1948 46.2% 4,987 46.7% 5,033 7.1% 765
1944 44.6% 4,365 55.4% 5,419
1940 32.2% 3,005 67.8% 6,334
1936 33.4% 3,421 66.6% 6,809
1932 40.4% 3,750 59.1% 5,479 0.5% 46
1928 64.7% 4,207 35.3% 2,291
1924 42.6% 2,503 57.0% 3,348 0.4% 26
1920 53.0% 3,298 47.1% 2,931
1916 49.0% 1,659 51.0% 1,725
1912 14.7% 482 49.5% 1,627 35.8% 1,178

Education

Elementary schools
  • Baton
  • Davenport
  • Dudley Shoals
  • Gamewell
  • Granite Falls
  • Hudson
  • Lower Creek
  • Sawmills
  • Valmead
  • West Lenoir
  • Whitnel

K-8 schools
  • Collettsville
  • Happy Valley
  • Kings Creek
  • Oak Hill (defunct as of 2020)

Middle schools
  • Gamewell
  • Granite Falls
  • Hudson
  • William Lenoir

High schools

Alternative schools
  • Horizons Elementary
  • Gateway School

Private schools
  • Heritage Christian School (K-12)

College

Transportation

Major highways

US 321 is the busiest highway in the county with an annual average daily traffic count of 39,000.[30]

Other major highways include:

The Blue Ridge Parkway also crosses the northern tip of the county.

Railroads

Caldwell County has one railroad, the Caldwell County Railroad which interchanges with the Norfolk Southern Railway in Hickory, North Carolina.[31]

Communities
Map of Caldwell County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

County Seat

Towns

Village

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  7. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  9. "Caldwell County North Carolina Quickfacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  10. "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  11. "Administration". Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  12. "Commissioners". Caldwell County Government. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  13. "Sheriff's Office". Caldwell County Government. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  14. "11/06/2018 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - CALDWELL". ncsbe.gov. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  15. "About Your Register". Caldwell County Register of Deeds. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  16. "WPCOG". Western Piedmont Council of Governments. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  17. "Senator Warren Daniel (Republican, 2019-2020 Session)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  18. "Representative Destin Hall (Republican, 2017-2018 Session)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  19. "Congressman Mark Meadows". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  20. "Multitude of Candidates Have Filed for Avery County, State and Federal Government Offices; Foxx No Longer Will Represent Avery Following Court Ruling". http://highcountrypress.com/. High Country Press. Retrieved 14 January 2020. External link in |website= (help)
  21. "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  22. NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=14&office=FED&contest=0. Retrieved 14 January 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=14&office=FED&contest=0. Retrieved 14 January 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=14&office=FED&contest=0. Retrieved 14 January 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=14&office=FED&contest=0. Retrieved 14 January 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=14&office=FED&contest=0. Retrieved 14 January 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  28. "Caldwell County Schools - School Directory". Caldwell County Schools. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  29. "ASU Center at Caldwell (located on the Hudson Campus of Caldwell Community College and Tech Institute)". Appalachian State University. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  30. "2014 AADT PDF Report" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  31. Infrastructure, Caldwell County Economic Development Commission (retrieved 16 June 2014)

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