Stanly County, North Carolina

Stanly County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,504.[1] Its county seat is Albemarle.[2]

"Stanly County" redirects here. Not to be confused with Stanley County (disambiguation).

Stanly County
County
Stanly County Courthouse in Albemarle
Stanly County Courthouse in Albemarle
Official seal of Stanly County
Seal
Official logo of Stanly County
Logo
Motto(s): 
"Water, Air, Land, Success"
Map of North Carolina highlighting Stanly 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°19′N 80°15′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1841
Named forJohn Stanly
SeatAlbemarle
Largest communityAlbemarle
Area
 • Total404.81 sq mi (1,048.5 km2)
 • Land395.08 sq mi (1,023.3 km2)
 • Water9.73 sq mi (25.2 km2)  2.40%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total62,504
 • Estimate 
(2022)
64,153
 • Density158.21/sq mi (61.09/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Websitewww.stanlycountync.gov

Stanly County comprises the Albemarle, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Charlotte-Concord, NC-South Carolina Combined Statistical Area.

History

The site of modern-day Stanly County was originally peopled by small tribes of hunter-gatherers and Mound Builders whose artifacts and settlements have been dated back nearly 10,000 years. Large-scale European settlement of the region came in the mid-18th century via two primary waves: immigrants of Dutch, Scots-Irish and German descent moved from Pennsylvania and New Jersey seeking enhanced religious and political tolerance, while immigrants of English backgrounds came to the region from Virginia and the Cape Fear River Basin in Eastern North Carolina.

In early English colonial times, the Stanly County area was politically part of the New Hanover Precinct, out of which the Bladen Precinct was created in 1734.[3] The renamed Bladen County was subdivided to create Anson County in 1750, which in turn spawned Montgomery County in 1779.

Stanly County was formed in 1841 from the part of Montgomery County west of the Pee Dee River. It was named for John Stanly of New Bern (1774–1834), who served several terms in the North Carolina House of Commons and two terms (1801–1803, 1809–1811) in the United States House of Representatives.

Hanging of Alec Whitley

Whitley was accused of theft and murder in Stanly County and also in Arkansas. Following a short manhunt through several states, he was captured by a local posse near Big Lick in 1892. Shortly after his capture and incarceration a mob of angry citizens gathered at the jail to demand Whitley be turned over to them. Sheriff Snuggs had been alerted to the mob's intention and he transferred all the prisoners from the jail to his own home across the street—except Whitley, who was seized by the mob, beaten, and hanged from a tree off South Street in Albemarle.

Name

Research by Chris Bramlett indicates that John Stanly had no connection with the area named for him, but that the name was chosen to please state legislators. Bramlett also believed that Stanly's father John Wright Stanly was named Stanley and changed the spelling. Because the county's name was often misspelled, in 1971 the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation making the "Stanly" spelling official.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404.81 square miles (1,048.5 km2), of which 395.08 square miles (1,023.3 km2) is land and 9.73 square miles (25.2 km2) (2.40%) is water.[5]

National protected areas/sites

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18506,922—
18607,80112.7%
18708,3156.6%
188010,50526.3%
189012,13615.5%
190015,22025.4%
191019,90930.8%
192027,42937.8%
193030,21610.2%
194032,8348.7%
195037,13013.1%
196040,87310.1%
197042,8224.8%
198048,51713.3%
199051,7656.7%
200058,10012.2%
201060,6004.3%
202062,5043.1%
2022 (est.)64,153[1]2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2020[1]

2020 census
Stanly County racial composition[11]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 48,645 77.83%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 7,000 11.2%
Native American 210 0.34%
Asian 1,140 1.82%
Pacific Islander 9 0.01%
Other/Mixed 2,414 3.86%
Hispanic or Latino 3,086 4.94%

As of the 2020 census, there were 62,504 people, 23,332 households, and 16,569 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census,[12] there were 60,585 people. In 2000 there were 22,223 households, and 16,156 families residing in the county. The population density was 147 people per square mile (57 people/km2). There were 24,582 housing units at an average density of 62 units per square mile (24 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.67% White, 11.46% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.81% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 2.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 22,223 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% 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 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,898, and the median income for a family was $43,956. Males had a median income of $31,444 versus $21,585 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,825. About 8.10% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Stanly County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.[13]

The current sheriff of Stanly County is Jeff Crisco.[14]

Politics

Stanly is currently a solidly Republican county. It has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1944, with the sole exception of 1976 when Southern Democrat Jimmy Carter carried the county. It did vote Democratic in every election from 1876 to 1900, but since then it has voted solidly Republican except in the 1912 Wilson and 1932 to 1940 Franklin Roosevelt landslides, and with southerners John W. Davis and Carter heading the Democratic tickets.

United States presidential election results for Stanly County, North Carolina[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 25,458 75.01% 8,129 23.95% 352 1.04%
2016 21,964 73.42% 7,094 23.71% 859 2.87%
2012 19,904 69.31% 8,431 29.36% 382 1.33%
2008 19,329 67.81% 8,878 31.14% 299 1.05%
2004 17,814 69.71% 7,650 29.94% 89 0.35%
2000 15,548 68.14% 7,066 30.97% 204 0.89%
1996 11,446 56.29% 7,131 35.07% 1,756 8.64%
1992 11,030 50.91% 7,735 35.70% 2,899 13.38%
1988 11,885 64.13% 6,627 35.76% 20 0.11%
1984 13,116 68.00% 6,138 31.82% 35 0.18%
1980 9,734 54.54% 7,784 43.62% 328 1.84%
1976 8,845 48.63% 9,262 50.93% 80 0.44%
1972 12,459 69.32% 5,218 29.03% 295 1.64%
1968 9,428 51.43% 4,199 22.90% 4,706 25.67%
1964 8,924 52.95% 7,931 47.05% 0 0.00%
1960 11,080 57.29% 8,259 42.71% 0 0.00%
1956 10,667 61.45% 6,693 38.55% 0 0.00%
1952 10,093 58.36% 7,202 41.64% 0 0.00%
1948 5,902 50.56% 4,415 37.82% 1,357 11.62%
1944 6,083 52.52% 5,499 47.48% 0 0.00%
1940 4,569 41.96% 6,321 58.04% 0 0.00%
1936 4,523 41.01% 6,505 58.99% 0 0.00%
1932 3,992 40.63% 5,785 58.87% 49 0.50%
1928 4,597 60.51% 3,000 39.49% 0 0.00%
1924 3,594 48.07% 3,832 51.26% 50 0.67%
1920 4,312 52.88% 3,843 47.12% 0 0.00%
1916 1,941 47.81% 2,110 51.97% 9 0.22%
1912 105 3.13% 1,702 50.73% 1,548 46.14%

Education

Universities
Patterson Building, Stanly Community College

High schools

Middle schools
  • Albemarle Middle School "Bulldogs
  • Carolina Christian School "Lions"
  • North Stanly Middle School "Comets"
  • South Stanly Middle School "Rebels"
  • West Stanly Middle School "Colts"

Elementary schools
  • Aquadale Elementary "Little Bulls"
  • Badin Elementary "Watts"
  • Carolina Christian School "Lions"
  • Central Elementary "Bulldogs"
  • East Albemarle Elementary "Bullpups"
  • Endy Elementary "Redskins"
  • Locust Elementary "Colts"
  • Millingport Elementary "Wildcats"
  • Norwood Elementary "Patriots"
  • Oakboro Elementary "Eagles"
  • Richfield Elementary "Tigers"
  • Stanfield Elementary "Wildcats"

Media

The area is served by The Weekly Post, a weekly newspaper. It is also served by The Stanly News and Press, a tri-weekly newspaper that also posts local news on its website, www.thesnaponline.com.

There are 2 radio stations locally owned by Stanly Communications, Inc. WSPC broadcasts at 1010 AM and 107.3 FM, and the current format is primarily news and conservative talk radio. WZKY broadcasts at 1580AM and 103.3 FM, and primarily plays music from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

Communities
Map of Stanly County with municipal and township labels

Cities

Towns

Townships
  • Almond
  • Big Lick
  • Center
  • Endy
  • Furr
  • Harris
  • North Albemarle
  • Ridenhour
  • South Albemarle
  • Tyson

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Stanly County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Huneycutt, A. C. (c. 1920). History of Stanly County and a Record of Stanly County's Service Record in World War I.
  4. Miller, Chris (March 27, 2022). "Spirit of Stanly: What's in a name? Quite a bit for Stanly County residents". Stanly News and Press. Retrieved July 16, 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 February 7, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 7, 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 February 7, 2015.
  11. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. "Centralina Council of Governments". Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  14. "Stanly County". Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
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