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Lenoir County, North Carolina
Lenoir County Courthouse
Lenoir County Courthouse located at 130 S Queen Street, Kinston.
Seal of Lenoir County, North Carolina
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Lenoir County
Location in the state of North Carolina
Map of the U.S
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1791
Named for William Lenoir
Seat Kinston
Largest city Kinston
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

403 sq mi (1,044 km²)
401 sq mi (1,039 km²)
2.2 sq mi (6 km²), 0.6%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

55,122
136.4/sq mi (53/km²)
Congressional district 3rd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.co.lenoir.nc.us

Lenoir County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, its population was 55,122.[1] Its county seat is Kinston,[2] located on the Neuse River, across which the county has its territory.

Lenoir County comprises the Kinston 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 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2) (0.6%) are covered by water.[4]

State and local protected areas[]

  • Barnet Park
  • Pine Bush Beach
  • Wyse Fork

Adjacent counties[]

Major water-bodies[]

  • Contentnea Creek
  • Neuse River
  • Southwest Creek
  • Wheat Swamp (Contentnea Creek tributary)

Major highways[]

  • US 70 US 70
  • By-pass plate
    US 70 US 70 Byp.
  • US 258 US 258
  • NC 11 NC 11
  • NC 55 NC 55
  • NC 58 NC 58
  • NC 118 NC 118
  • NC 148 NC 148
  • NC 241 NC 241
  • NC 903 NC 903

[[Template:Infobox road/NC/link I-Future|Template:Infobox road/NC/abbrev I-Future]] (Concurrency with US-70)

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.

Other major Infrastructure[]

  • Kinston Regional Jetport (IATA: ISOICAO: 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.
  • Greyhound Bus Terminal with a location in Kinston.

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1800 4,005
1810 5,572 39.1%
1820 6,799 22.0%
1830 7,723 13.6%
1840 7,605 −1.5%
1850 7,828 2.9%
1860 10,220 30.6%
1870 10,434 2.1%
1880 15,344 47.1%
1890 14,879 −3.0%
1900 18,639 25.3%
1910 22,769 22.2%
1920 29,555 29.8%
1930 35,716 20.8%
1940 41,211 15.4%
1950 45,953 11.5%
1960 55,276 20.3%
1970 55,204 −0.1%
1980 59,819 8.4%
1990 57,274 −4.3%
2000 59,648 4.1%
2010 59,495 −0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[9]

2020 census[]

Lenoir County racial composition[10]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 26,582 48.22%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 22,034 39.97%
Native American 134 0.24%
Asian 332 0.6%
Pacific Islander 22 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,653 3.0%
Hispanic or Latino 4,365 7.92%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 55,122 people, 23,148 households, and 14,863 families residing in the county.

2010 census[]

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.[11] 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

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

City[]

  • Kinston (county seat and largest city)

Towns[]

  • La Grange
  • Pink Hill

Census-designated places[]

  • Deep Run
  • Graingers
  • Jackson Heights

Other unincorporated community[]

  • Tick Bite

Voting districts[]

  • Contentnea Neck
  • Falling Creek
  • Institute
  • Kinston (with nine precincts)
  • Moseley Hall
  • Neuse
  • Pink Hill (with two precincts)
  • Sand Hill
  • Southwest
  • Trent
  • Vance
  • Woodington

Law, government and politics[]

United States presidential election results for Lenoir County, North Carolina[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 14,590 51.36% 13,605 47.89% 214 0.75%
2016 13,613 50.78% 12,634 47.13% 560 2.09%
2012 13,980 49.78% 13,948 49.66% 158 0.56%
2008 13,401 49.82% 13,378 49.74% 118 0.44%
2004 12,939 55.82% 10,207 44.04% 33 0.14%
2000 11,512 54.40% 9,527 45.02% 124 0.59%
1996 9,433 49.84% 8,635 45.63% 857 4.53%
1992 8,932 45.02% 8,793 44.32% 2,117 10.67%
1988 10,669 58.13% 7,649 41.68% 35 0.19%
1984 13,321 60.79% 8,556 39.04% 37 0.17%
1980 9,832 55.50% 7,546 42.60% 336 1.90%
1976 7,715 49.86% 7,650 49.44% 109 0.70%
1972 11,065 73.89% 3,672 24.52% 238 1.59%
1968 3,844 24.43% 3,853 24.49% 8,036 51.08%
1964 5,617 42.44% 7,617 57.56% 0 0.00%
1960 3,658 31.04% 8,126 68.96% 0 0.00%
1956 2,564 27.24% 6,847 72.76% 0 0.00%
1952 2,233 24.93% 6,723 75.07% 0 0.00%
1948 515 8.37% 5,445 88.54% 190 3.09%
1944 554 9.54% 5,253 90.46% 0 0.00%
1940 440 6.58% 6,247 93.42% 0 0.00%
1936 351 5.66% 5,854 94.34% 0 0.00%
1932 350 6.93% 4,677 92.60% 24 0.48%
1928 1,311 35.68% 2,363 64.32% 0 0.00%
1924 514 18.83% 2,191 80.26% 25 0.92%
1920 1,153 31.05% 2,560 68.95% 0 0.00%
1916 667 28.57% 1,666 71.35% 2 0.09%
1912 122 5.99% 1,568 76.98% 347 17.03%
1908 966 40.90% 1,393 58.98% 3 0.13%
1904 674 32.70% 1,386 67.25% 1 0.05%
1900 1,224 38.66% 1,942 61.34% 0 0.00%
1896 1,410 41.74% 1,966 58.20% 2 0.06%
1892 957 34.18% 1,388 49.57% 455 16.25%
1888 1,427 46.56% 1,598 52.14% 40 1.31%
1884 1,408 46.67% 1,609 53.33% 0 0.00%
1880 1,353 54.45% 1,132 45.55% 0 0.00%



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[13] in the Senate, who was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper on January 31, 2019.[13] 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).[14] 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).[15]

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.[16]

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.

Health[]

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

Notable people[]

  • Brandon Ingram (NBA player)
  • Larry Beck (professional golfer)
  • Jocelyn Brown (R&B singer)
  • Reggie Bullock (NBA player)
  • Dwight Clark (49ers wide receiver)
  • David Christopher Hatcher (MLB pitcher)
  • Donna Horton White (professional golfer)
  • Malcolm Howard (U.S. Judge appointed by Ronald Reagan)
  • Susan Owens (the seventh woman to serve on Washington Supreme Court)
  • Maceo and Melvin Parker (Jazz musicians)
  • Jamie Pressley (U.S. actor)
  • Frank Snepp (journalist)
  • Jerry Stackhouse (NBA player)
  • Quinton Coples (NFL defensive end)
  • Frank Lucas (American mobster)
  • Vivian Howard (American chef)[17]

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Lenoir County, North Carolina
  • List of future or partially complete Interstates in North Carolina

References[]

  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lenoir County, North Carolina" (in en). https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lenoircountynorthcarolina. 
  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. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 185. 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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  7. ^ 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. 
  8. ^ "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. 
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37107.html. 
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37107&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 
  11. ^ Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Community Facts" (in en). https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/cf/1.0/en/county/Lenoir%20County,%20North%20Carolina/POPULATION/DECENNIAL_CNT. 
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  13. ^ a b "Lenoir County Representation - North Carolina General Assembly". https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Lenoir. 
  14. ^ "Welcome to Lenoir County". http://www.co.lenoir.nc.us/members.html. 
  15. ^ "Board Members" (in en). http://www.lcpsnc.org/site/default.aspx?DomainID=58. 
  16. ^ "About LCC - Lenoir Community College" (in en-US). Lenoir Community College. https://www.lenoircc.edu/aboutlcc/. 
  17. ^ Writer, Jessika Morgan, Staff. "Meet 25 famous Kinstonians" (in en). https://www.kinston.com/article/20121031/news/310319991. 

External links[]

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Coordinates: 35°14′N 77°38′W / 35.24, -77.64

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Lenoir 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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