Lenoir County, North Carolina

Lenoir County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 59,495.[1] Its county seat is Kinston,[2] located on the Neuse River, across which the county has its territory.

Not to be confused with Lenoir, North Carolina.
Lenoir County
U.S. county
Lenoir County Courthouse located at 130 S Queen Street, Kinston.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°14′N 77°38′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1791
Named forWilliam Lenoir
SeatKinston
Largest cityKinston
Area
 • Total403 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Land401 sq mi (1,040 km2)
 • Water2.2 sq mi (6 km2)  0.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
55,976
 • Density149/sq mi (58/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.lenoir.nc.us

Lenoir County comprises the Kinston, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1791 from the southern part of Dobbs County. It was named for William Lenoir (1751-1839), an officer in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain.[3] He was a prominent political leader; when the county was established, he was serving as Speaker of the North Carolina Senate.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 403 square miles (1,040 km2), of which 401 square miles (1,040 km2) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18004,005—
18105,57239.1%
18206,79922.0%
18307,72313.6%
18407,605−1.5%
18507,8282.9%
186010,22030.6%
187010,4342.1%
188015,34447.1%
189014,879−3.0%
190018,63925.3%
191022,76922.2%
192029,55529.8%
193035,71620.8%
194041,21115.4%
195045,95311.5%
196055,27620.3%
197055,204−0.1%
198059,8198.4%
199057,274−4.3%
200059,6484.1%
201059,495−0.3%
2018 (est.)55,976[5]−5.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[1]

The United States Census Bureau's most recent census, taken on April 1, 2010, estimated there were 59,495 residents with 24,327 households and 15,993 families residing within the county.[10] The population density was 149 people per square mile (58/km2). There were 27,184 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km2). The county's racial makeup was 56.47% White, 40.43% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 23,862 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.40% were married couples living together, 17.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 90.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,191, and the median income for a family was $38,815. Males had a median income of $28,879 versus $21,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,744. About 12.60% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.00% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.

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

City

Towns

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Voting Districts
  • Contentnea Neck
  • Falling Creek
  • Institute
  • Kinston (with 9 precincts)
  • Moseley Hall
  • Neuse
  • Pink Hill (with 2 precincts)
  • Sand Hill
  • Southwest
  • Trent
  • Vance
  • Woodington

Law, government and politics
Presidential Election Results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 51.1% 14,500 47.5% 13,494 1.4% 386
2016 50.8% 13,613 47.1% 12,634 2.1% 560
2012 49.8% 13,980 49.7% 13,948 0.6% 158
2008 49.8% 13,401 49.7% 13,378 0.4% 118
2004 55.8% 12,939 44.0% 10,207 0.1% 33
2000 54.4% 11,512 45.0% 9,527 0.6% 124
1996 49.8% 9,433 45.6% 8,635 4.5% 857
1992 45.0% 8,932 44.3% 8,793 10.7% 2,117
1988 58.1% 10,669 41.7% 7,649 0.2% 35
1984 60.8% 13,321 39.0% 8,556 0.2% 37
1980 55.5% 9,832 42.6% 7,546 1.9% 336
1976 49.9% 7,715 49.4% 7,650 0.7% 109
1972 73.9% 11,065 24.5% 3,672 1.6% 238
1968 24.4% 3,844 24.5% 3,853 51.1% 8,036
1964 42.4% 5,617 57.6% 7,617
1960 31.0% 3,658 69.0% 8,126
1956 27.2% 2,564 72.8% 6,847
1952 24.9% 2,233 75.1% 6,723
1948 8.4% 515 88.5% 5,445 3.1% 190
1944 9.5% 554 90.5% 5,253
1940 6.6% 440 93.4% 6,247
1936 5.7% 351 94.3% 5,854
1932 6.9% 350 92.6% 4,677 0.5% 24
1928 35.7% 1,311 64.3% 2,363
1924 18.8% 514 80.3% 2,191 0.9% 25
1920 31.1% 1,153 69.0% 2,560
1916 28.6% 667 71.4% 1,666 0.1% 2
1912 6.0% 122 77.0% 1,568 17.0% 347

Throughout the first two-thirds of the twentieth century, Lenoir County was a typical overwhelmingly Democratic "Solid South" county. It was always carried by the Democratic Presidential nominee between at least 1876 and 1964, following upon which "American Independent" candidate George Wallace obtained a majority of the county's vote in 1968 amidst large-scale opposition to racial desegregation and civil rights for African-Americans. In every election since, Lenoir County has voted for the Republican presidential nominee, although on several occasions the GOP margin has been extremely close and on only five occasions out of twelve has the margin been more than ten percentage points.

Lenoir County is a member of the Eastern region in the North Carolina Councils of Government.

Lenoir County is represented by Chris Humphrey in the House of Representatives and Jim Perry[11] in the Senate, who was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper on January 31, 2019.[11] As of 2018, after some redistricting, Lenoir County is in the 12th district for the North Carolinian House, represented by George Graham. The current county commissioners are J. Mac Daughety (R), Eric Rouse (R), Craig Hill (D-Chairman), Preston Harris (D), and Roland Best (D), at large commissioners are Linda R Sutton (D-Vice Chairman) and Reuben J. Davis (D).[12] The Board of Education's chairman is Jonathan Sargeant (D), vice chairman Bruce Hill (D), and members Billy Davis (R), Keith King (R), Elijah Woods (D), and Merwyn K. Smith (D).[13]

Education

Higher Education

Lenoir County is home to one higher learning institution, Lenoir Community College - which is located at 231 NC HWY 58 South, Kinston and is part of the North Carolina Community College System. The college offers associate degrees, diplomas, or certificates for educational programs in college transfer, business, industry, public services, health sciences, and continuing education. Programs and support services are accessible through traditional and distance learning options.[14]

Primary and Secondary Education

Public education in Lenoir County is administered and supported by the Lenoir County Public School Board, which formed from a merge of the City of Kinston and Lenoir County school systems in 1992. There are four public high schools in Lenoir County: Lenoir County Early College, North Lenoir, South Lenoir, and Kinston High School. Three public middle schools: E.B. Frink, Rochelle, and Woodington. There are also eight public elementary schools: Banks, La Grange, Moss Hill, Northeast, Northwest, Pink Hill, Southeast and Southwood. Additionally, Contentnea-Savannah is a K-8 school.

Lenoir County is also home to two private academies - Arendell Parrott Academy and Bethel Christian Academy - and two charter academies - Kinston Charter Academy and Children's Village Academy.

Libraries

Neuse Regional Library serves the residents of Lenoir, Greene, and Jones counties. With eight different locations, the library system offers services such as 3D printing and an inter-library loan system, as well as an eLibrary.

Transportation

Airport

Lenoir County is served by the Kinston Regional Jetport (IATA: ISO, ICAO: KISO) with service to Orlando, Florida. Raleigh–Durham International Airport is the closest major airport with service to more than 45 domestic and international destinations.

Major highways

The main highway in the county is US 70, which offers access to the North Carolina coast and I-95. Other highways that run through the county include US 258, NC 11, NC 58, NC 903 and NC 55. Interstate 95 is the closest Interstate Highway to the county, 50 miles west in Selma.

Bus

The county is served by Greyhound with a location in Kinston.

Health

Lenoir County is home to UNC Lenoir Healthcare, a 261-bed non-profit hospital in Kinston.

Notable People

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 185.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  10. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Community Facts". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  11. "Lenoir County Representation - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  12. "Welcome to Lenoir County". www.co.lenoir.nc.us. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  13. "Board Members". www.lcpsnc.org. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  14. "About LCC - Lenoir Community College". Lenoir Community College. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  15. Writer, Jessika Morgan, Staff. "Meet 25 famous Kinstonians". The Free Press. Retrieved 2020-06-14.

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