Caldwell County, NC Visitor Center

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Caldwell County is a county located in the state of North Carolina, USA. As of 2000, the population was 77,415. Its county seat is Lenoir.

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.

Law and government

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners, who appoint a County Manager.

Caldwell County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

Geography and Climate

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,228 km˛ (474 mi˛). 1,221 km˛ (472 mi˛) of it is land and 7 km˛ (3 mi˛) of it (0.57%) is water. 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.

Notable Natives or Residents

• Dr. Vaughn Starnes, Considered the foremost pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon in the world, he made history performing the first successful 'living related' lung transplant.
• Etta Baker, musician
• William Horton Bower, US Congressman.
• Jim Broyhill, US Congressman and US Senator.
• Claudia Church, country music artist.
• Eric Church, country music artist.
• Clinton A. Cilley, mayor of Lenoir and Medal of Honor winner.
• Dr. Linda Combs, U.S. government official.
• William Lenoir.
• Kary Mullis, scientist and Nobel laureate.
• William C. Newland, NC Lt. Governor.
• George W. Petrie Jr., Major, U.S. Army Special Forces (retired),Son Tay Raider, Caldwell County's Most Decorated Soldier; two time recipient of the Silver Star.
• James Pritchett, actor.
• Larry Smith, NASCAR driver .

At least four Major League Baseball players:

• Johnny Allen
• Lindsay Deal
• Charlie Cozart
• Rube Walker

Cities & Towns

• Blowing Rock
• Cajah's Mountain
• Cedar Rock
• Collettsville
• Gamewell
• Granite Falls
• Hudson
• Lenoir
• Sawmills

Demographics

As of the census˛ of 2000, there were 77,415 people, 30,768 households, and 22,399 families residing in the county. The population density was 63/km˛ (164/mi˛). There were 33,430 housing units at an average density of 27/km˛ (71/mi˛). The racial makeup of the county was 91.74% White, 5.46% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 2.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,768 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,739, and the median income for a family was $41,665. Males had a median income of $28,820 versus $21,850 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,353. About 7.60% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.