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Haywood County, North Carolina
Haywood County Courthouse, Waynesville, NC (45800478465)
Haywood County Courthouse, built c. 1932
Seal of Haywood County, North Carolina
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Haywood County
Location in the state of North Carolina
Map of the U.S
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1808
Named for John Haywood
Seat Waynesville
Largest town Waynesville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

555 sq mi (1,437 km²)
554 sq mi (1,435 km²)
0.9 sq mi (2 km²), 0.2%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

62,089
107/sq mi (41/km²)
Congressional district 11th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website https://www.haywoodcountync.gov

Haywood County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,089.[1] The county seat and its largest city is Waynesville.[2] Haywood County is part of the Asheville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[]

Part of indigenous territory considered the Cherokee homeland, the county was formed by European Americans in 1808 from the western part of Buncombe County. It was named for John Haywood, who served as the North Carolina State Treasurer from 1787 to 1827.[3]

In 1828 the western part of Haywood County became Macon County. In 1851 parts of Haywood and Macon counties were combined to form Jackson County.

The last shot of the Civil War east of the Mississippi was fired in Waynesville on May 9, 1865, when elements of the Thomas Legion (Confederate) skirmished with the 2nd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (Union). A monument is situated on Sulphur Springs Road in Waynesville.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 555 square miles (1,440 km2), of which 554 square miles (1,430 km2) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km2) (0.2%) is water.[4]

The Pigeon River originates in Haywood County. All rivers and springs that flow in Haywood County originate in the county; no water flows into Haywood County from adjacent counties.[5]

Haywood County is situated amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and contains parts of several major subranges of the Blue Ridge, namely the Great Smoky Mountains in the west and the Plott Balsams and Great Balsam Mountains in the south. Notable peaks in the county include Cold Mountain, at 6,030 feet (1,840 m), Mount Sterling, at 5,835 feet (1,779 m), and Richland Balsam, at 6,410 feet (1,950 m) in elevation. Mt. Guyot, the county's highest point at 6,621 feet (2,018 m), is the 4th highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. Black Balsam Knob, in the Great Balsam Mountains in the southeastern section of the county, is the highest grassy bald in the entire Appalachian range. Haywood County is believed to be the highest county (by mean elevation) east of the Mississippi River, with a mean elevation of 3,597 feet or 1,096 m.[6]

A portion of Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies in the northwestern section of the county, north of Maggie Valley. Along with several mountains rising to over 6,000 feet (1,800 m) in elevation, the Haywood County area of the Smokies includes Cataloochee, which is home to a large campground and several historical structures dating to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Other protected areas include substantial sections of the Pisgah National Forest in the far northeastern and southern parts of the county.

National protected areas[]

  • Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park (part)
  • Pisgah National Forest (part)
  • The Appalachian Trail (part)
  • Mountains to Sea Trail (part)
  • Cherokee Indian Reservation/Qualla Boundary (part)
  • Middle Prong Wilderness Area
  • Shinning Rock Wilderness Area

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1810 2,780
1820 4,073 46.5%
1830 4,578 12.4%
1840 4,975 8.7%
1850 7,074 42.2%
1860 5,801 −18.0%
1870 7,921 36.5%
1880 10,271 29.7%
1890 13,346 29.9%
1900 16,222 21.5%
1910 21,020 29.6%
1920 23,496 11.8%
1930 28,273 20.3%
1940 34,804 23.1%
1950 37,631 8.1%
1960 39,711 5.5%
1970 41,710 5.0%
1980 46,495 11.5%
1990 46,942 1.0%
2000 54,033 15.1%
2010 59,036 9.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census[]

Haywood County racial composition[11]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 55,685 89.69%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 656 1.06%
Native American 308 0.5%
Asian 360 0.58%
Pacific Islander 1 0.0%
Other/Mixed 2,250 3.62%
Hispanic or Latino 2,829 4.56%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 62,089 people, 26,653 households, and 17,170 families residing in the county.

2000 census[]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 54,033 people, 23,100 households, and 16,054 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile (38/km2). There were 28,640 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.85% White, 1.27% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30.8% were of American, 12.9% English, 12.0% German, 10.4% Irish and 8.3% Scots-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.1% spoke English and 1.9% Spanish as their first language.

There were 23,100 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.80% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,922, and the median income for a family was $40,438. Males had a median income of $30,731 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,554. About 8.10% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.40% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.


Government, law, and public safety[]

Government[]

Haywood County is governed by an elected five member four-year term County Board of Commissioners. The Board appoints and directs policy for a county manager. Haywood County is a member of the regional Southwestern Commission council of governments.[13]

Voter Registration Statistics In Haywood County:

  • Republicans- 15,637
  • Democrats- 13,538

Policing[]

Sheriff and municipal police[]

The Haywood County sheriff provides court protection and jail management for the entire county and provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated portions of the county.[14] The towns of Waynesville, Canton, and Maggie Valley have municipal police departments. As of October 1, 2020 the Sheriff's Office took over all law enforcement service for the town of Clyde.[15] Haywood County contains a portion of the Qualla Boundary which is a tribal reservation for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Lands and people living within this reservation are subject mostly to tribal/federal laws rather than county or state laws.[16]

Lake Junaluska[]

Security for Lake Junaluska is provided by the Haywood County sheriff. The security chief is a sheriff's captain and all responding officers are sworn deputies supported by LJ security officers. [17]

Fire protection[]

Fire protection and rescue services are provided by the Clyde, Cruso, North Canton, Saunook, Waynesville, Crabtree-Ironduff, Maggie Valley, Junaluska, Center Pigeon, Canton, Jonathan Creek, Fines Creek, and Lake Logan-Cecil Fire Departments. [18]

Politics[]

Haywood County was a Democratic-leaning swing county for essentially the entire 20th century. Since 2000, however, it has seen a strong trend toward the Republican Party in national elections. Donald Trump's 2020 performance of 62.5% was the best by a Republican in Haywood County since Nixon's 1972 landslide.

United States presidential election results for Haywood County, North Carolina[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 22,834 62.49% 13,144 35.97% 564 1.54%
2016 18,929 61.60% 10,473 34.08% 1,325 4.31%
2012 15,633 55.88% 11,833 42.30% 508 1.82%
2008 14,910 53.12% 12,730 45.36% 427 1.52%
2004 14,545 56.09% 11,237 43.33% 150 0.58%
2000 12,118 54.41% 9,793 43.97% 362 1.63%
1996 7,995 39.84% 9,350 46.59% 2,724 13.57%
1992 7,292 34.71% 10,385 49.43% 3,332 15.86%
1988 8,957 49.68% 9,010 49.98% 61 0.34%
1984 10,146 55.96% 7,958 43.89% 27 0.15%
1980 7,217 41.33% 9,814 56.20% 431 2.47%
1976 5,885 35.35% 10,692 64.22% 71 0.43%
1972 8,903 64.84% 4,515 32.88% 313 2.28%
1968 6,205 39.26% 5,703 36.08% 3,898 24.66%
1964 5,575 34.33% 10,664 65.67% 0 0.00%
1960 8,583 51.62% 8,044 48.38% 0 0.00%
1956 6,955 47.79% 7,598 52.21% 0 0.00%
1952 6,124 41.14% 8,761 58.86% 0 0.00%
1948 2,684 26.14% 7,373 71.82% 209 2.04%
1944 2,919 27.35% 7,755 72.65% 0 0.00%
1940 2,357 21.45% 8,631 78.55% 0 0.00%
1936 3,331 28.95% 8,175 71.05% 0 0.00%
1932 3,082 31.11% 6,790 68.54% 34 0.34%
1928 4,472 51.73% 4,173 48.27% 0 0.00%
1924 2,440 34.71% 4,582 65.18% 8 0.11%
1920 3,000 41.50% 4,229 58.50% 0 0.00%
1916 1,523 38.79% 2,403 61.21% 0 0.00%
1912 354 10.76% 2,068 62.88% 867 26.36%
1908 1,304 40.02% 1,952 59.91% 2 0.06%
1904 1,125 40.82% 1,631 59.18% 0 0.00%
1900 1,257 41.75% 1,735 57.62% 19 0.63%
1896 1,039 35.02% 1,901 64.07% 27 0.91%
1892 959 36.66% 1,525 58.30% 132 5.05%
1888 991 42.39% 1,325 56.67% 22 0.94%
1884 765 39.31% 1,181 60.69% 0 0.00%
1880 507 35.23% 932 64.77% 0 0.00%



Education[]

Haywood County Schools has 15 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. Those are separated into three high schools, three middle schools, and nine elementary schools.[20]

Tuscola-Pisgah rivalry[]

The two major high schools in the Haywood County Schools System, the Tuscola High School Mountaineers of Waynesville and Pisgah High School Black Bears of Canton participate in one of the fiercest high school rivalries in the Nation, as cited by the Great American Rivalry Series. The two high school football teams battle it out for the Haywood County Championship each fall, drawing up to 15,000 fans. Pisgah now leads the series at 30-26-1. The Pisgah Bears have won the last 8 meetings.

Transportation[]

Major highways and roads[]

  • I-40 I-40
  • US 19 US 19
  • US 23 US 23
  • US 74 US 74
  • US 276 US 276
  • NC 110 NC 110
  • NC 209 NC 209
  • NC 215 NC 215

Railroads[]

The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates a portion a line through Haywood County, providing a rail connection with the rest of the country. The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad's main classification yard is located in Canton, which directly serves Evergreen Packaging (owned by International Paper) and originates several local runs.

Communities[]

Map of Haywood County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Map of Haywood County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Towns[]

  • Waynesville, (county seat) population 9,869, elevation 2,752.
  • Canton, population 4,227, elevation 2615 ft.
  • Clyde, population 1,223, elevation 2,543 ft.
  • Maggie Valley, population 1,150, elevation 3,018 ft.


Census-designated places[]

  • Lake Junaluska
  • West Canton

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Cruso
  • Saunook

Other well known communities/areas[]

  • Eagles Nest
  • Max Patch
  • Cataloochee
  • Junaluska
  • Center Pigeon
  • Dutch Cove

Townships[]

  • Beaverdam
  • Bethel
  • Cataloochee
  • Cecil
  • Clyde
  • Crabtree
  • Cruso
  • East Fork
  • Fines Creek
  • Iron Duff
  • Ivy Hill
  • Jonathan Creek
  • Pigeon
  • Suttontown
  • Waynesville
  • White Oak

Festivals[]

The annual ramp (Allium tricoccum) convention in Haywood County, known as the oldest in the Nation, has drawn as many as 4,000 participants a year since its inception circa 1925.[21] It is held each May.

Folkmoot USA is an international folk festival held since 1984 in Waynesville, North Carolina and surrounding communities. During its history, the two-week event has featured around 200 groups from approximately 100 countries. The Southeast Tourism Society has named Folkmoot USA one of its top twenty events for 20 years. The North Carolina General Assembly declared Folkmoot USA to be the state's official international folk festival in 2003.[22][23][24]

In popular culture[]

Cold Mountain, in southeast Haywood County within the Pisgah National Forest, became popularly known when featured as the title and setting of the 1997 historical novel Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier. He explored the later stages of the American Civil War in the area and a Confederate soldier's effort to return home. The novel was adapted as a major motion picture, released by Miramax Films in 2003 and starring Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, and Renée Zellweger.

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Haywood County, North Carolina

References[]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37087.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off.. pp. 153. https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ. 
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_37.txt. 
  5. ^ "Did you know: Fast Facts about Haywood County". Haywood County Government. http://www.haywoodnc.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=169:fast-facts&catid=83:about-haywood-co&Itemid=106. 
  6. ^ "Mean County Elevation Lists". http://cohp.org/records/mean_elevation/mean_elevations.html. 
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt. 
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37087&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  13. ^ https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/
  14. ^ https://www.haywoodncsheriff.com/
  15. ^ Vaillancourt, Cory (September 23, 2020). "County will assume Clyde PD duties". https://www.smokymountainnews.com/archives/item/29909-county-will-assume-clyde-pd-duties. 
  16. ^ Qualla Boundary, NCPedia.org (retrieved 15 April 2015)
  17. ^ "Lake Junaluska Community". https://www.lakejunaluska.com/about_us/community/community_security/. 
  18. ^ https://www.firedepartment.net/directory/north-carolina/haywood-county
  19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  20. ^ "Haywood County Schools". North Carolina's School Report Cards. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. 
  21. ^ Davies, D. (1992). Alliums: The Ornamental Onions. Portland: Timber Press. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-88192-241-7. https://archive.org/details/alliums00dily. 
  22. ^ Beadle, Michael (2007-07-18). "A World of Difference". Smoky Mountain News. http://www.smokymountainnews.com/issues/07_07/07_18_07/fm_world_diff.html. 
  23. ^ "Folkmoot USA International Festival". http://www.romanticasheville.com/folkmoot.htm. 
  24. ^ "Folkmoot USA--The State International Festival of North Carolina". http://www.folkmootusa.org/. 

External links[]


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Haywood County, North Carolina. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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