Catawba County, North Carolina
Catawba County, North Carolina | ||
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Location in the state of North Carolina | ||
North Carolina's location in the U.S. | ||
Founded | 1842 | |
Named for | Catawba tribe | |
Seat | Newton | |
Largest city | Hickory | |
Area | ||
• Total | 413 sq mi (1,070 km2) | |
• Land | 399 sq mi (1,033 km2) | |
• Water | 15 sq mi (39 km2), 3.6% | |
Population | ||
• (2010) | 154,810 | |
• Density | 387/sq mi (149/km²) | |
Congressional districts | 5th, 10th | |
Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 | |
Website |
www |
Catawba County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 154,810.[1] Its county seat is Newton,[2] and its largest city is Hickory.
Catawba County is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Catawba County is part of the data center corridor. Maiden is home to the Apple iCloud data center, and Conover is home to the ncDataCampus, and the largest privately owned solar farm in the United States operated by Apple.
Conover, North Carolina is home to the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn.
History
The county was formed in 1842 from Lincoln County. It was named for the Catawba tribe of Native Americans, who once inhabited the area. German Lutheran farmers settled the area in the 1700s.
Law and government
Year | Republican | Democratic | Other |
---|---|---|---|
2012[3] | 64.0% 44,538 | 34.6% 24,069 | 1.4% 994 |
2008[4] | 61.9% 42,993 | 36.9% 25,656 | 1.2% 802 |
2004[5] | 67.5% 39,602 | 32.1% 18,858 | 0.4% 228 |
2000[6] | 67.4% 34,244 | 32.0% 16,246 | 0.7% 351 |
1996[7] | 58.0% 26,898 | 33.7% 15,601 | 8.3% 3,855 |
1992[8] | 51.5% 25,466 | 33.1% 16,334 | 15.4% 7,609 |
1988[9] | 69.0% 28,872 | 30.9% 12,922 | 0.1% 44 |
1984[10] | 72.8% 31,476 | 27.1% 11,700 | 0.2% 74 |
1980[11] | 60.4% 22,873 | 36.6% 13,873 | 3.0% 1,132 |
1976[12] | 52.4% 18,696 | 47.2% 16,862 | 0.4% 150 |
1972[13] | 74.5% 21,106 | 23.9% 7,744 | 1.6% 525 |
1968[14] | 56.3% 18,393 | 21.4% 6,974 | 22.3% 7,285 |
1964[15] | 52.0% 17,116 | 48.0% 15,814 | 0% 0 |
Catawba County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 413 square miles (1,070 km2), of which 399 square miles (1,030 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (3.6%) is water.[16]
Adjacent counties
- Alexander County - north
- Iredell County - east
- Lincoln County - south
- Burke County - west
- Caldwell County - northwest
- Mecklenburg County - southeast
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1850 | 8,862 | — | |
1860 | 10,729 | 21.1% | |
1870 | 10,984 | 2.4% | |
1880 | 14,946 | 36.1% | |
1890 | 18,689 | 25.0% | |
1900 | 22,133 | 18.4% | |
1910 | 27,918 | 26.1% | |
1920 | 33,839 | 21.2% | |
1930 | 43,991 | 30.0% | |
1940 | 54,653 | 24.2% | |
1950 | 61,794 | 13.1% | |
1960 | 73,191 | 18.4% | |
1970 | 90,873 | 24.2% | |
1980 | 105,208 | 15.8% | |
1990 | 118,412 | 12.6% | |
2000 | 141,685 | 19.7% | |
2010 | 154,358 | 8.9% | |
Est. 2014 | 154,534 | [17] | 0.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census[18] 1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20] 1990-2000[21] 2010-2014[1] |
As of the census[22] of 2010, there were 154,358 people, 55,533 households, and 39,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 354 people per square mile (137/km²). There were 59,919 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile (58/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.1% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.1% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 1.14% from two or more races, 9.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 55,533 households out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.60% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,536, and the median income for a family was $47,474. Males had a median income of $30,822 versus $23,352 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,358. About 6.50% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 9.70% of those age 65 or over.
Education
- Most of the county is served by Catawba County Schools.
- Newton and Conover are served by the Newton-Conover City School System.
- Most of Hickory is served by the Hickory City School System.
Higher education
- Lenoir–Rhyne University
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Appalachian Center at Hickory
- NC Center for Engineering Technologies
Libraries
- The Catawba County Library System serves the residents of Catawba County. The library system operates 7 libraries throughout the county.
- The Hickory Public Library System serves the residents of Hickory. The library system operates 2 libraries: The Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, and the Ridgeview Library.
Points of Interest
Museums and libraries
- Catawba County FireFighters Museum
- Catawba County Museum of History
- Hickory Aviation Museum
- Hickory Museum of Art
- Catawba County Science Center
- Murrays Mill
- Public Libraries of Catawba County
- Public Libraries of Hickory
Sports and entertainment
Music and performing arts
- Newton-Conover Auditorium
- The Green-Room Theatre
- Western Piedmont Symphony
- Hickory Community Theatre
Other attractions
- Valley Hills Mall
- Lake Norman
- Lake Hickory
- Lake Lookout
Transportation
Major highways
Air
The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Hickory Regional Airport.
Mass transit
Rail
With approximately twenty freight trains a day, Catawba County is a freight railroad transportation center. This is largely due to the areas strong manufacturing based economy, and its placement along the Norfolk Southern Railway line. The Caldwell County Railroad also serves the county and interchanges with Norfolk Southern in Hickory.[23]
Conover has been designated as the Catawba County passenger rail stop for the Western North Carolina Railroad planned to run from Salisbury, NC to Asheville.
Communities
Cities
Towns
Census-designated places
Unincorporated communities
Townships
- Bandy's
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Clines
- Hickory
- Jacobs Fork
- Mountain Creek
- Newton
Notable people
- Dale Jarrett-NASCAR Driver.1999 Winston Cup Champion
- Ryan Newman-NASCAR Driver.
- Michael Waltrip-NASCAR Driver.
- Morgan Shepherd-NASCAR Driver.
- Matt Kenseth-NASCAR Driver.
- Rob Moroso-NASCAR Driver.
- Robert Huffman-Former NASCAR Driver.
- Ned Jarrett-Former NASCAR Driver.
- Glenn Jarrett-Former NASCAR Driver.
- Tommy Houston-Former NASCAR Driver.
- Bobby Isaac-1970 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion.
- Dennis Setzer-NASCAR Driver.
- Jason Line – NHRA Pro Stock driver.
- Elliott Forbes-Robinson –Sports car driver in Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
- James Best- Actor.
- Matthew Settle- Actor.
- Jon Reep- Comedian and Winner of Last Comic Standing
- Tom Constanten-Musician, composer, former member of The Grateful Dead and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Tori Amos-Musician songwriter.
- Madison Bumgarner- 2010, 2012, 2014 (MVP) World Series Champion Pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
- Ryan Succop- American football Placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Rick Barnes- Coach for Texas Longhorns men's basketball.
- Chris Washburn-American former professional basketball player.
- Paul Burris-Pitcher for Boston/Milwaukee Braves.
- Chad Lail-Professional Wrestler known as Gunner in TNA Wrestling.
- Chris Hughes-Co-founder of Facebook.
- The Cockman Family -Bluegrass musicians.
- Bryan Harvey - Major League Baseball player
- Paul Whitener- Artist and founder of the Hickory Museum of Art.
See also
References
- 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ "2012 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "2008 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "2004 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "2000 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1996 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1992 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1988 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1984 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1980 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1976 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1972 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1968 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "1964 Presidential General Election Data Graphs - North Carolina". Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Infrastructure, Caldwell County Economic Development Commission (retrieved 16 June 2014)
Further reading
- Freeze, Gary R. The Catawbans: Crafters of a North Carolina County, 1747-1900 Catawba County Historical Association, 1995. ISBN 0-9702776-2-8.
- Freeze, Gary R. The Catawbans: Pioneers in Progress, Vol. 2. Catawba County Historical Association, 2002.
External links
- Geographic data related to Catawba County, North Carolina at OpenStreetMap
- Official website
- Catawba County Chamber of Commerce
Caldwell County | Alexander County | |||
Burke County | Iredell County | |||
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Lincoln County | Mecklenburg County |
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Coordinates: 35°40′N 81°13′W / 35.66°N 81.21°W