Jones County, North Carolina

Jones County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,172,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Trenton.[2] Jones County is part of the New Bern, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Jones County
County
Jones County Courthouse
Jones County Courthouse
Flag of Jones County
Flag
Official seal of Jones County
Seal
Official logo of Jones County
Logo
Motto: 
"Small Living. Big Opportunity. Ready to Grow."
Map of North Carolina highlighting Jones County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°01′N 77°22′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1779
Named forWillie Jones
SeatTrenton
Largest communityMaysville
Area
 • Total473.72 sq mi (1,226.9 km2)
 • Land471.39 sq mi (1,220.9 km2)
 • Water2.33 sq mi (6.0 km2)  0.49%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total9,172
 • Estimate 
(2021)
9,233
 • Density19.59/sq mi (7.56/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitejonescountync.gov

There are only three incorporated towns in Jones County, Pollocksville, Trenton, and Maysville. Two major highways in the county include: US 17 which runs south to Jacksonville, and north to New Bern and US 70 which runs west to Kinston, and east to Morehead City.

History

The county was formed in 1779 from the southwestern part of Craven County. It was named for Willie Jones,[3] a planter, slaveholder, Revolutionary leader and president of the North Carolina Committee of Safety during the war. He opposed state ratification of the United States Constitution and refused to vote on it at the Hillsborough Convention.

The rural Low Country county was originally developed for plantations, which were dependent on the labor of enslaved African Americans. The county's has heavily relied on agriculture (mostly tobacco) and lumber from its nearby forest.[4]

In 2004, the county's population slightly rose above 10,000 in a census estimate but has since decreased to 9,172 in the 2020 census.[4][1]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 473.72 square miles (1,226.9 km2), of which 471.39 square miles (1,220.9 km2) is land and 2.33 square miles (6.0 km2) (0.49%) is water.[5]

National protected areas

State and local protected areas
  • Croatan Game Land (part)[6]
  • Hofmann Forest (part)

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17904,796—
18004,339−9.5%
18104,96814.5%
18205,2165.0%
18305,6087.5%
18404,945−11.8%
18505,0381.9%
18605,73013.7%
18705,002−12.7%
18807,49149.8%
18907,403−1.2%
19008,22611.1%
19108,7216.0%
19209,91213.7%
193010,4285.2%
194010,9264.8%
195011,0040.7%
196011,0050.0%
19709,779−11.1%
19809,705−0.8%
19909,414−3.0%
200010,38110.3%
201010,153−2.2%
20209,172−9.7%
2022 (est.)9,233[1]0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1]

2020 census
Jones County racial composition[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 5,787 63.09%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,564 27.95%
Native American 42 0.46%
Asian 32 0.35%
Other/Mixed 353 3.85%
Hispanic or Latino 394 4.3%

As of the 2020 census, there were 9,172 people, 4,045 households, and 2,644 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[13] there were 10,381 people, 4,061 households, and 2,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 4,679 housing units at an average density of 10 units per square mile (3.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.97% White, 35.87% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.70% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 2.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,061 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 15.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,882, and the median income for a family was $35,180. Males had a median income of $28,662 versus $19,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,916. About 14.20% of families and 16.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

Law, government and politics

Jones County is a member of the regional Eastern Carolina Council of Governments. The Jones County Government relies entirely upon an all volunteer (non-paid) fire department force segregated by geographic location(s). The Law Enforcement structure consists of one paid Pollocksville Police Chief, one paid Maysville Police Chief, and an elected Sheriff with a small (less than 25 person force) to handle law enforcement, detention, and emergency communications. The county government relies heavily on volunteer deputization. Emergency ambulance services consist of one full-time medical unit dispatched from the town of Trenton and relies heavily on other volunteer EMS personnel geographically scattered around the county to assist with a medical emergency. Additional EMS transportation vehicles are subsidized by EMS services provided by adjacent counties or private enterprises. There is no animal control unit. The County Detention Facility is a 21-bed (3 female) facility located in the basement of the county courthouse and the detention staff double up as the communications/911 emergency communications staff.

United States presidential election results for Jones County, North Carolina[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,280 59.37% 2,197 39.76% 48 0.87%
2016 2,974 57.92% 2,065 40.21% 96 1.87%
2012 2,837 54.24% 2,352 44.97% 41 0.78%
2008 2,817 53.89% 2,378 45.49% 32 0.61%
2004 2,607 57.77% 1,893 41.95% 13 0.29%
2000 2,114 53.33% 1,822 45.96% 28 0.71%
1996 1,682 45.28% 1,829 49.23% 204 5.49%
1992 1,438 37.39% 1,962 51.01% 446 11.60%
1988 1,649 45.78% 1,946 54.03% 7 0.19%
1984 2,062 50.30% 2,025 49.40% 12 0.29%
1980 1,401 38.60% 2,198 60.55% 31 0.85%
1976 948 31.48% 2,016 66.95% 47 1.56%
1972 1,650 58.93% 1,093 39.04% 57 2.04%
1968 361 10.72% 1,225 36.39% 1,780 52.88%
1964 776 26.71% 2,129 73.29% 0 0.00%
1960 585 23.35% 1,920 76.65% 0 0.00%
1956 415 17.53% 1,952 82.47% 0 0.00%
1952 331 16.52% 1,673 83.48% 0 0.00%
1948 113 8.04% 1,238 88.05% 55 3.91%
1944 211 14.73% 1,221 85.27% 0 0.00%
1940 233 14.53% 1,371 85.47% 0 0.00%
1936 188 10.74% 1,563 89.26% 0 0.00%
1932 132 8.33% 1,449 91.42% 4 0.25%
1928 658 57.52% 486 42.48% 0 0.00%
1924 179 20.50% 692 79.27% 2 0.23%
1920 385 28.54% 964 71.46% 0 0.00%
1916 233 24.66% 712 75.34% 0 0.00%
1912 35 4.40% 635 79.87% 125 15.72%

Recreation

Jones County lies 8 miles (13 km) west of the Atlantic Ocean but the only waterfront areas in the county are along the Trent and White Oak rivers. Part of the Great Dover Swamp also lies within the county lines. Many enjoy boating and fishing activities as well as camping at the 17 Family Campground along Highway 17 north in Maysville. The Croatan National Forest offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing and the wide open spaces of fields and forests are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Communities
Map of Jones County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

The county is divided into seven townships, which are both numbered and named:

  • 1 (White Oak)
  • 2 (Pollocksville)
  • 3 (Trenton)
  • 4 (Cypress Creek)
  • 5 (Tuckahoe)
  • 6 (Chinquapin)
  • 7 (Beaver Creek)

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Jones County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 170.
  4. "Jones County | NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  5. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  6. "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
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