Lenoir County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Lenoir County
state = North Carolina




map size = 250
founded = 1791
seat = Kinston | area_total_sq_mi =402
area_water_sq_mi =2
area percentage = 0.56%
census yr = 2000
pop = 59,648
density_km2 =58
web = www.co.lenoir.nc.us
|

Lenoir County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 59,648, and estimated to be 57,961 in 2005. [ [http://www.co.lenoir.nc.us/statistics.html Welcome to Lenoir County ] ] Its county seat is KinstonGR|6.

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, and prominent political leader who at the time of the county's establishment was serving as Speaker of the North Carolina Senate.

Law and government

Lenoir County is a member of the regional Eastern Carolina Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 402 square miles (1,041 km²), of which, 400 square miles (1,036 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (6 km²) of it (0.56%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into twelve townships: Contentnea Neck, Falling Creek, Institute, Kinston, Moseley Hall, Neuse, Pink Hill, Sand Hill, Southwest, Trent, Vance, and Woodington.

Adjacent counties

*Greene County, North Carolina - north
*Pitt County, North Carolina - northeast
*Craven County, North Carolina - east
*Jones County, North Carolina - southeast
*Duplin County, North Carolina - southwest
*Wayne County, North Carolina - west

Demographics

As of 2005, there were 57,961 people, 23,862 households, and 16,178 families residing in the county. The population density was 149.2 people per square mile (58/km²). There were 27,940 housing units at an average density of 68 per square mile (26/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.1% White, 40.9% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. 3.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [http://www.co.lenoir.nc.us/statistics.html]

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 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% 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 $30,952, 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 17.1% 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. [ [http://www.co.lenoir.nc.us/statistics.html Welcome to Lenoir County ] ]

Education

The City of Kinston and Lenoir County have a merged school system. There are three public high schools in Lenoir County: North Lenoir, South Lenoir, and Kinston High School. In addition, there are four public middle schools: E.B. Frink, Rochelle, Woodington, and Savannah. There are also ten public elementary schools: Banks, Bynum, Contentnea, La Grange, Moss Hill, Northwest, Pink Hill, Southeast, Southwood, and Teachers Memorial. There is one alternative school, Sampson. [ [http://www.lenoir.k12.nc.us/ Lenoir County Public Schools ] ] Lenoir County is home to three private schools: Arendell Parrott Academy, Bethel Christian Academy, and Kinston Charter Academy.

Transportation

Passenger

*Air: Lenoir County is served by the Kinston Regional Jetport airport codes|ISO|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.
*Interstate 95 is the closest Interstate Highway to the county, located 50 miles west in Selma.
*Lenoir County is not served directly by passenger trains. The closest Amtrak station is located in Selma.
*Bus: The county is served by Greyhound with a location in Kinston.

Roads

*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.

Health

Lenoir County is home to the Lenoir Memorial Hospital, a 261-bed non-proft facility located in Kinston.

Cities and towns

*Grifton
*Kinston
*La Grange
*Pink Hill
*Deep Run

References

External links

* [http://www.co.lenoir.nc.us Lenoir County government official website]