Iredell County, North Carolina
U.S. County|
county = Iredell County|
state = North Carolina |
seal = Iredell County nc seal.gif |
map size = 250|
founded =
1788| seat =
Statesville | area = 1,546
km² (597
mi²) |
area land = 1,491 km² (576 mi²) |
area water = 56 km² (21 mi²) |
area percentage = 3.59% |
census yr = 2000|
pop = 122,660 |
density = 82|
web = www.co.iredell.nc.us|}}
Iredell County is a
county located in the
U.S. state of
North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 122,660. Its
county seat is
Statesville6. It is a major hub of
NASCAR racing, with many race shops located in the county (mostly around
Mooresville). NASCAR also operates the
NASCAR Technical Institute in the county. Many NASCAR drivers live around
Mooresville and
Lake Norman. Although northern Iredell County has retained much of its rural character, the southern half of the county is experiencing rapid urbanization and population growth, largely due to the immense popularity of the Lake Norman area for residents of nearby
Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city.
The county was formed in
1788 from
Rowan County. It was named for
James Iredell, an advocate of ratification of the
United States Constitution, who was appointed an associate justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States by
George Washington in
1790.
In
1847 parts of Iredell County,
Caldwell County, and
Wilkes County were combined to form
Alexander County.
Iredell County is a member of the regional
Centralina Council of Governments.
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,546
km² (597
mi²). 1,491 km² (576 mi²) of it is land and 56 km² (21 mi²) of it (3.59%) is water.
Iredell County is located within the
Piedmont Region of western North Carolina. The northern section of the county contains the
Brushy Mountains, a deeply eroded spur of the
Blue Ridge Mountains far to the west. Although the "Brushies", as they are called locally, rarely rise above 2,000 feet, they stand out prominently above the surrounding lower countryside. The rest of Iredell County's terrain consists of gently rolling countryside occasionally broken by small river valleys. The county's largest river, the
Catawba, forms much of its western border.
Lake Norman, one of North Carolina's largest manmade lakes, is the most prominent geographic feature of southern Iredell County.
Townships
The county is divided into sixteen
townships: Barringer, Bethany, Chambersburg, Concord, Coddle Creek, Cool Springs, Davidson, Eagle Mills, Fallstown, New Hope, Olin, Sharpesburg, Shiloh, Statesville, Turnersburg, and
Union Grove.
Adjacent Counties
*
Yadkin County, North Carolina - north-northeast
*
Davie County, North Carolina - east-northeast
*
Rowan County, North Carolina - east
*
Cabarrus County, North Carolina - south-southeast
*
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina - south
*
Lincoln County, North Carolina - south-southwest
*
Catawba County, North Carolina - southwest
*
Alexander County, North Carolina - west-northwest
*
Wilkes County, North Carolina - north-northwest
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 122,660 people, 47,360 households, and 34,667 families residing in the county. The
population density was 82/km² (213/mi²). There were 51,918 housing units at an average density of 35/km² (90/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.17%
White, 13.67%
Black or
African American, 0.27%
Native American, 1.27%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 1.68% from
other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 3.41% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race.
There were 47,360 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were
married couples living together, 11.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.80% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $41,920, and the median income for a family was $49,078. Males had a median income of $34,590 versus $24,031 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $21,148. About 6.20% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 10.10% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.
*
Harmony*
Love Valley*
Mooresville*
Statesville*
TroutmanDavidson is partly in Iredell County.
*
Union Grove*
Iredell County government official websiteSee also:
List of North Carolina counties
