Lenoir County

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. He was a prominent political leader; when the county was established, he was serving as Speaker of the North Carolina Senate.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 55,122 people, 22,930 households, and 14,863 families residing in the county. The median age was 43.1 years, 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 20.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.9 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 49.2% White, 40.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.9% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.9% of the population.

There were 22,930 households in the county, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.9% were married-couple households, 19.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 36.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 26,577 housing units, of which 13.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 60.1% were owner-occupied and 39.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.

38.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 61.8% lived in rural areas.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 59,495 residents with 24,327 households and 15,993 families residing within the county. The population density was 149 people per square mile (58 people/km2). There were 27,184 housing units at an average density of 68 units per square mile (26 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 56.47% White, 40.43% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.88% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 3.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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.