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 of the 2020 census, the population was 80,652.[1] Its county seat is Lenoir.[2] Caldwell County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Caldwell County
County
Caldwell County Courthouse in Lenoir
Caldwell County Courthouse in Lenoir
Flag of Caldwell County
Flag
Official seal of Caldwell County
Seal
Official logo of Caldwell County
Logo
Nickname: 
The Gateway To The Blue Ridge
Map of North Carolina highlighting Caldwell County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting 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 communityLenoir
Area
 • Total474.61 sq mi (1,229.2 km2)
 • Land471.89 sq mi (1,222.2 km2)
 • Water2.72 sq mi (7.0 km2)  0.57%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total80,652
 • Estimate 
(2022)
80,492
 • Density170.91/sq mi (65.99/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts5th, 10th
Websitewww.caldwellcountync.org

History

The county was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke County and Wilkes County. It was named for Joseph Caldwell, presiding professor and the first president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

A series of reductions to the county's territory have taken place since its initial formation. 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 474.61 square miles (1,229.2 km2), of which 471.89 square miles (1,222.2 km2) is land and 2.72 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.57%) 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

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies
  • Beaver Creek
  • Blue Creek
  • Catawba River
  • Gunpowder Creek
  • Husband Creek
  • Johns River
  • Lake Hickory
  • Little Gunpowder Creek
  • Little King Creek
  • Lower Creek
  • Mill Creek
  • Mulberry Creek
  • Rhodhiss Lake
  • Rock Creek
  • Silver Creek
  • Upper Little River
  • Wilson Creek
  • Yadkin River

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
202080,652−2.9%
2022 (est.)80,492[1]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1]

2020 census
Caldwell County racial composition[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 67,868 84.15%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 3,843 4.76%
Native American 196 0.24%
Asian 527 0.65%
Pacific Islander 15 0.02%
Other/Mixed 3,280 4.07%
Hispanic or Latino 4,923 6.1%

As of the 2020 census, there were 80,652 people, 32,513 households, and 20,975 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census,[13] 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 (68.0 people/km2). There were 37,659 housing units at an average density of 79.9 units per square mile (30.8 units/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.

Government and politics
County government offices in Lenoir

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners.[14] The members of the Board of Commissioners are Jeff Branch, Randy Church, Mike LaBrose, Donnie Potter, and Robbie Wilkie.[14] The Clerk to the Board is Abby Rich.[14] The County Manager is Donald E. Duncan Jr. and Deputy County Manager is Jimmy Harrison.[15] The Caldwell County Sheriff is Alan C. Jones.[16] The Clerk of Superior Court is Angela Ashley Kidd.[17] The county's Register of Deeds is Wayne Rash.[18] Caldwell County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.[19]

In the North Carolina General Assembly, the county is represented by Republican Warren Daniel in the North Carolina Senate, as part of North Carolina Senate district 46, and by Republican Destin Hall in the North Carolina House of Representatives, as North Carolina House district 87.[20][21]

Caldwell County is part of North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives and is represented by Republican Virginia Foxx. The county was moved from North Carolina's 11th congressional district in 2021 due to court ordered redistricting in North Carolina. North Carolina's congressional districts for 2023 and beyond have not yet been approved.[22][23][24][25]

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 over 70% Republican.[26][27][28][29][30]

United States presidential election results for Caldwell County, North Carolina[31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 32,119 74.99% 10,245 23.92% 465 1.09%
2016 26,621 73.30% 8,425 23.20% 1,274 3.51%
2012 23,229 66.88% 10,898 31.38% 605 1.74%
2008 22,526 64.08% 12,081 34.36% 548 1.56%
2004 21,186 67.58% 9,999 31.90% 163 0.52%
2000 17,337 66.39% 8,588 32.89% 190 0.73%
1996 12,653 55.18% 8,050 35.11% 2,228 9.72%
1992 12,543 49.04% 9,033 35.32% 4,000 15.64%
1988 15,176 65.78% 7,862 34.08% 33 0.14%
1984 17,024 69.79% 7,311 29.97% 59 0.24%
1980 12,965 58.11% 8,738 39.17% 607 2.72%
1976 9,872 45.15% 11,894 54.39% 100 0.46%
1972 12,976 71.41% 4,886 26.89% 309 1.70%
1968 10,433 51.46% 4,746 23.41% 5,095 25.13%
1964 8,733 44.60% 10,846 55.40% 0 0.00%
1960 11,553 56.98% 8,722 43.02% 0 0.00%
1956 10,833 61.22% 6,861 38.78% 0 0.00%
1952 9,160 54.87% 7,533 45.13% 0 0.00%
1948 4,987 46.24% 5,033 46.67% 765 7.09%
1944 4,365 44.61% 5,419 55.39% 0 0.00%
1940 3,005 32.18% 6,334 67.82% 0 0.00%
1936 3,421 33.44% 6,809 66.56% 0 0.00%
1932 3,750 40.43% 5,479 59.07% 46 0.50%
1928 4,207 64.74% 2,291 35.26% 0 0.00%
1924 2,503 42.59% 3,348 56.97% 26 0.44%
1920 3,298 52.95% 2,931 47.05% 0 0.00%
1916 1,659 49.02% 1,725 50.98% 0 0.00%
1912 482 14.66% 1,627 49.50% 1,178 35.84%

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 Charter School

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

High schools

Alternative schools
  • Horizons Elementary
  • Gateway School

Private schools
  • Heritage Christian School (K-12)

Independent school
  • Moravian Prep

College

Communities
Map of Caldwell County with municipal and township labels

City
  • Lenoir (county seat and largest community)

Towns

Village

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Townships in Caldwell County include:[34]

  • Globe
  • Hudson
  • Johns River
  • Kings Creek
  • Lenoir
  • Little River
  • Lovelady
  • Lower Creek
  • Mullberry
  • North Catawba
  • Paterson
  • Wilson Creek
  • Yadkin Valley

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Caldwell County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  4. "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  5. "2014 AADT PDF Report" (PDF). North Carolina Department of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 25, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  6. Infrastructure, Caldwell County Economic Development Commission (retrieved 16 June 2014)
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  13. "Caldwell County North Carolina Quickfacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  14. "Board of Commissioners | Caldwell County, NC". www.caldwellcountync.org. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  15. "Administration | Caldwell County, NC". caldwellcountync.org. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  16. "Caldwell County". ncsheriffs.org. 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  17. "11/06/2018 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - CALDWELL". ncsbe.gov. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  18. "About Your Register". Caldwell County Register of Deeds. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  19. "WPCOG". Western Piedmont Council of Governments. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  20. "Senator Warren Daniel (Republican, 2019-2020 Session)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  21. "Representative Destin Hall (Republican, 2017-2018 Session)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  22. "HB 1029, 3rd Edition map". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  23. "Representatives". house.gov. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  24. "Multitude of Candidates Have Filed for Avery County, State and Federal Government Offices; Foxx No Longer Will Represent Avery Following Court Ruling". highcountrypress.com/. High Country Press. December 20, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  25. "New NC political maps coming soon, as redistricting starts". newsobserver.com. The News & Observer. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  26. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  27. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  28. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  29. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  30. "NC SBE Contest Results". NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  31. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  32. "Caldwell County Schools - School Directory". Caldwell County Schools. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  33. "ASU Center at Caldwell (located on the Hudson Campus of Caldwell Community College and Tech Institute)". Appalachian State University. Retrieved May 7, 2016.
  34. "Mindat.org". www.mindat.org. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
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