Wayne County, North Carolina

Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 117,333.[1] Its county seat is Goldsboro[2] and it is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

For other uses, see Wayne County.

Wayne County
County
Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro
Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro
Official seal of Wayne County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Wayne 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°22′N 78°00′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1779
Named forAnthony Wayne
SeatGoldsboro
Largest communityGoldsboro
Area
 • Total557.72 sq mi (1,444.5 km2)
 • Land553.92 sq mi (1,434.6 km2)
 • Water3.80 sq mi (9.8 km2)  0.68%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total117,333
 • Estimate 
(2022)
117,286
 • Density211.74/sq mi (81.75/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts3rd, 13th
Websitewww.waynegov.com

Wayne County comprises the Goldsboro, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Prior to 1730, Native Americans were the only known occupants of the territory now known as Wayne County. Settlers trickled into the territory, occupying land along the Neuse River. There was no general migration here until after 1750; as populations built up in the coastal areas, some settlers moved west for land.[3]

Wayne County was established during the American Revolutionary War on November 2, 1779, from the western part of Dobbs County. It was named for "Mad Anthony" Wayne, a general in the war. The act establishing the County provided that the first court should be held at the home of Josiah Sasser, at which time the justices were to decide on a place for all subsequent courts until a courthouse could be erected. By 1782 the commissioners were named. In 1787 an act was passed establishing Waynesborough on the west side of the Neuse River, on the land of Doctor Andrew Bass. The courthouse was built here.[4]

In 1855, parts of Wayne County, Edgecombe County, Johnston County, and Nash County were combined to form Wilson County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 557.72 square miles (1,444.5 km2), of which 553.92 square miles (1,434.6 km2) is land and 3.80 square miles (9.8 km2) (0.68%) is water.[5]

Wayne County's surface is level to gently rolling uplands with broad bottoms along the rivers and some creeks. Elevations are predominantly 120 to 145 feet above sea level. The largest waterway, the Neuse River, bisects the lower central portion of the county and cuts a deep channel 20 to 40 feet deep as it flows in an eastward direction. Unusual river bluffs occur in the vicinity of Seven Springs. In addition to the Neuse River, the county is drained by the Little River, the Northeast Cape Fear River and numerous creeks.

Wayne County is underlain by unconsolidated beds of sand, clay and gravel. For the most part, these beds were deposited in seawater as the sea advanced and retreated during the geologic development of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. To a much lesser extent, streams deposited layers of sediment which mixed with that deposited on the sea floor.

The climate in Wayne County is characterized by warm summers and moderate winters. The average temperature is about 62 degrees. Annual precipitation is about 50 inches of rainfall per year, with the major portion occurring in the late spring and summer.[4]

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17906,115—
18006,77210.7%
18108,68728.3%
18209,0404.1%
183010,33114.3%
184010,8915.4%
185013,48623.8%
186014,90510.5%
187018,14421.7%
188024,95137.5%
189026,1004.6%
190031,35620.1%
191035,69813.8%
192043,64022.2%
193053,01321.5%
194058,32810.0%
195064,26710.2%
196082,05927.7%
197085,4084.1%
198097,05413.6%
1990104,6667.8%
2000113,3298.3%
2010122,6238.2%
2020117,333−4.3%
2022 (est.)117,286[1]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

2020 census
Wayne County racial composition[11]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 60,199 51.31%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 35,329 30.11%
Native American 335 0.29%
Asian 1,542 1.31%
Pacific Islander 71 0.06%
Other/Mixed 4,930 4.2%
Hispanic or Latino 14,927 12.72%

As of the 2020 census, there were 117,333 people, 48,482 households, and 30,990 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[12] there were 113,329 people, 42,612 households, and 30,254 families residing in the county. The population density was 205 people per square mile (79 people/km2). There were 47,313 housing units at an average density of 86 units per square mile (33 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 61.28% White, 33.02% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.07% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 4.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 42,612 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 15.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.20% under the age of 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,942, and the median income for a family was $40,492. Males had a median income of $28,396 versus $21,854 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,010. About 10.20% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.60% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Wayne was historically a typical "Solid South" county for the first two thirds of the twentieth century, as conservative white Democrats had passed a new constitution at the turn of the 20th century that disenfranchised most blacks. North Carolina became a virtually one-party state, with whites generally voting for Democratic Party Candidates.

Following Congressional passage of major civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s, this county's white voters, like most across the South, gradually started to support Republican national candidates and ultimately changed parties, joining the Republicans. But in 1968, they voted for segregationist "American Independent" George Wallace. Since 1972, the white majority of Wayne County has carried it for Republican presidential candidates in every election.

United States presidential election results for Wayne County, North Carolina[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 30,709 55.29% 24,215 43.60% 613 1.10%
2016 27,540 54.33% 21,770 42.95% 1,379 2.72%
2012 27,641 53.83% 23,314 45.40% 397 0.77%
2008 26,952 54.03% 22,671 45.45% 259 0.52%
2004 24,883 62.14% 15,076 37.65% 87 0.22%
2000 20,758 61.26% 13,005 38.38% 121 0.36%
1996 16,588 56.44% 11,580 39.40% 1,222 4.16%
1992 14,397 52.29% 10,307 37.44% 2,828 10.27%
1988 15,292 62.48% 9,135 37.33% 47 0.19%
1984 17,961 64.13% 10,011 35.74% 36 0.13%
1980 12,860 56.31% 9,586 41.98% 390 1.71%
1976 9,607 50.58% 9,265 48.78% 121 0.64%
1972 14,352 72.33% 5,234 26.38% 256 1.29%
1968 5,678 28.79% 5,338 27.06% 8,709 44.15%
1964 7,555 43.55% 9,791 56.45% 0 0.00%
1960 5,474 41.07% 7,856 58.93% 0 0.00%
1956 4,220 38.45% 6,756 61.55% 0 0.00%
1952 4,662 39.04% 7,281 60.96% 0 0.00%
1948 1,658 19.86% 6,111 73.20% 579 6.94%
1944 1,914 23.51% 6,228 76.49% 0 0.00%
1940 1,649 18.59% 7,222 81.41% 0 0.00%
1936 1,751 19.81% 7,087 80.19% 0 0.00%
1932 1,631 20.25% 6,365 79.01% 60 0.74%
1928 4,340 53.85% 3,720 46.15% 0 0.00%
1924 1,379 28.81% 3,366 70.32% 42 0.88%
1920 2,822 37.05% 4,794 62.95% 0 0.00%
1916 1,446 35.48% 2,625 64.40% 5 0.12%
1912 95 2.71% 2,293 65.46% 1,115 31.83%
1908 1,504 40.41% 2,207 59.30% 11 0.30%
1904 1,162 35.69% 2,060 63.27% 34 1.04%
1900 1,965 38.48% 3,104 60.79% 37 0.72%
1896 2,248 40.95% 3,215 58.56% 27 0.49%
1892 1,645 34.31% 2,261 47.15% 889 18.54%
1888 2,629 48.51% 2,748 50.71% 42 0.78%
1884 2,542 48.09% 2,744 51.91% 0 0.00%
1880 2,257 48.19% 2,427 51.81% 0 0.00%

Wayne County is governed by a commissioner-manager system, consisting of seven members elected to four-year terms. One commissioner is elected from each of six single-member districts in the county and one is elected at-large countywide. All seven members serve concurrent four-year terms. The partisan elections for the Board of Commissioners are held in November in even-numbered years. The Board elects a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members annually at the first meeting in December.[4] The Board meets on the first and third Tuesday each month.

These are the elected officials representing Wayne County following the 2020 elections.

Position (2020 district boarders)NamePartyFirst elected
State Senate District 7Jim PerryRepublican2020
State House District 10John BellRepublican2012
State House District 21Raymond SmithDemocratic2018
District AttorneyMatthew DelbridgeRepublican2014
SheriffLarry PierceRepublican2014
Register of DeedsConstance Bryant CoramDemocratic2020

Wayne County will be represented in the 13th District in the United States House of Representatives, the 4th District in the North Carolina State House of Representatives, and the 4th and 10th District in the North Carolina State Senate due to the 2020 redistricting cycle.

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

Economy

Wayne County's local industries are involved in a range of operations from simple assembly to complex manufacturing processes resulting in products ranging from bread and poultry feed to automobile parts and electric transformers. Substantial technological improvements in recent years involving modernization of plant facilities and the addition of sophisticated manufacturing equipment have resulted in enhanced profitability and productivity for many of the local manufacturing firms.

The combination of a mild climate, a freeze-free growing season of about 225 days and a wide range of soil types contribute to a highly productive agricultural area. Total gross farm sales in Wayne County in 2006 was approximately US$329,082,138. Field crops, including the primary crops of tobacco, corn, cotton, soybeans, and wheat accounted for nearly 12% of the farm income or US$38,583,389.

Income from livestock and poultry production was US$236,287,547 in 2006 and derived primarily from swine operations. Swine production has increased rapidly, making it the single largest source of farm income. In 2006 farm income from swine production was US$75,409,690 or 23% of all farm income. Wayne County ranks 7th in the nation for production of swine.[14]

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is home to the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing. The annual civilian and military payroll is over $282 millionUSD. In fiscal year 2006 the economic impact at the base totaled over $460 millionUSD.[4]

Education

Wayne County is home to three colleges: Wayne Community College, University of Mount Olive (formerly known as Mount Olive College), and the Goldsboro campus of the North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Public schools are administered by the Wayne County Public Schools system. The public schools include nine high schools and college preparation schools, nine middle schools, fourteen elementary schools and one special education school. The county is also home to one charter public school and six private schools.

High schools

Middle schools
  • Brogden Middle School
  • Dillard Middle School
  • Eastern Wayne Middle School
  • Grantham Middle School
  • Greenwood Middle School
  • Mount Olive Middle School
  • Norwayne Middle School
  • Rosewood Middle School
  • Spring Creek Middle School

Elementary schools
  • Brogden Primary School
  • Carver Elementary School
  • Carver Heights Elementary School
  • Eastern Wayne Elementary School
  • Fremont Stars Elementary School
  • Grantham Elementary School
  • Meadow Lane Elementary School
  • North Drive Elementary School
  • Northeast Elementary School
  • Northwest Elementary School
  • Rosewood Elementary School
  • School Street Early Learning Center
  • Spring Creek Elementary School
  • Tommy's Road Elementary School

Special Education Schools
  • Edgewood Community Developmental School

Private schools
  • Faith Christian Academy
  • Pathway Christian Academy
  • Wayne Christian School
  • Wayne Country Day School
  • St. Mary Catholic School
  • Wayne Preparatory Academy

Media
  • NewOldNorth.com
  • The Goldsboro News-Argus
  • Goldsboro Daily News
  • The Buzz Around Wayne County
  • Mount Olive Tribune
  • The Wayne Weekly
  • Wayne-Wilson News Leader
  • WGBR 98.3 FM/1150 AM — Classic Hits
  • WFMC 105.7 FM/730 AM — Gospel
  • WZKT 97.7 FM — Katie Country
  • WSSG 92.7 FM/1300 AM — Hip Hop & R&B
  • “Eastbound & Downtown” magazine

Hospitals

Communities
Map of Wayne County with municipal and township labels

City
  • Goldsboro (county seat and largest community)

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships
  • Brogden
  • Buck Swamp
  • Fork
  • Fremont
  • Goldsboro
  • Grantham
  • Hood Swamp
  • Indian Springs
  • Nahunta
  • New Hope
  • Pikeville
  • Saulston
  • Stoney Creek

Notable people
Jerry Narron

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Wayne County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Wayne County Heritage Book Committee (1982). "The Heritage of Wayne County, North Carolina". pp. 137, 232, 530.
  4. "Wayne County Facts". Archived from the original on July 24, 2008.
  5. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  9. "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 20, 2015.
  10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  11. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  14. "Wayne County, North Carolina NC, county profile - hotels, festivals, genealogy, newspapers - ePodunk".
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