Haywood County, North Carolina

Haywood County
County
Haywood County Courthouse
Haywood County Courthouse
Official seal of Haywood County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Haywood 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°34′N 82°59′W / 35.56°N 82.98°W / 35.56; -82.98
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1808
Named forJohn Haywood
SeatWaynesville
Largest communityWaynesville
Area
 • Total
554.50 sq mi (1,436.1 km2)
 • Land553.56 sq mi (1,433.7 km2)
 • Water0.94 sq mi (2.4 km2)  0.17%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
62,089
 • Estimate 
(2023)
62,969
 • Density112.16/sq mi (43.31/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitewww.haywoodcountync.gov

Haywood County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,089.[1] The county seat and its largest community is Waynesville.[2]

Haywood County is part of the Waynesville, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.[3]

History

The earliest inhabitants of the area eventually comprising Haywood County were Cherokee Native Americans. Their local population was severely impacted by a smallpox outbreak in 1715.[4] In July 1776, during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, Cherokee warriors began attacking white settlements in western North Carolina. In response, a militia led by General Griffith Rutherford led an expedition through the region and destroyed dozens of Cherokee villages.[5] White settlement increased after the war, with most of the settlers being of English, Scotch-Irish, German, and Dutch descent.[4] The county was formed in 1808 from the western part of Buncombe County. It was named for John Haywood, who served as the North Carolina State Treasurer from 1787 to 1827.[6] The county seat was designated at Mount Pleasant, which was renamed Waynesville in 1811.[7] The first county courthouse was completed the following year.[8] In 1828, a part of Haywood County was split off and made Macon County.[9] In 1851, parts of Haywood and Macon counties were combined to form Jackson County.[10]

The last shot of the Civil War east of the Mississippi was fired in Waynesville on May 9, 1865, when elements of the Thomas Legion (Confederate) skirmished with the 2nd North Carolina Mounted Infantry (Union).[11][12][13] In the 1880s, the Western North Carolina Railroad extended lines through the county, creating new economic industries centered on logging and tourism.[4]

Geography

Map
Interactive map of Haywood County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 554.5 square miles (1,436 km2), of which 553.56 square miles (1,433.7 km2) is land and 0.94 square miles (2.4 km2) (0.17%) is water.[14] It is bordered by Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania, Jackson, Swain counties in North Carolina, and Cocke and Sevier counties in Tennessee.[15]

Haywood County lies within the French Broad River basin.[4] Since the county's borders follow mountain ridgelines, all water in the county derives from rain fallen over it or from local springs, with no external watercourses crossing its boundaries.[16] The Pigeon River originates in Haywood County.[17]

Haywood County is situated amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains and contains parts of several major subranges of the Blue Ridge, namely the Great Smoky Mountains in the west and the Plott Balsams and Great Balsam Mountains in the south. Notable peaks in the county include Cold Mountain, at 6,030 feet (1,840 m), Mount Sterling, at 5,835 feet (1,779 m), and Richland Balsam, at 6,410 feet (1,950 m) in elevation. Mt. Guyot, the county's highest point at 6,621 feet (2,018 m), is the 4th highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. Black Balsam Knob, in the Great Balsam Mountains in the southeastern section of the county, is the highest grassy bald in the entire Appalachian range. Haywood County is believed to be the highest county (by mean elevation) east of the Mississippi River, with a mean elevation of 3,597 feet or 1,096 metres.[18] About 40 percent of the county's land lies within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Pisgah National Forest.[4]

National protected areas

State and local protected areas

See also: Category:Protected areas of Haywood County, North Carolina

Major water bodies

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18102,780—
18204,07346.5%
18304,57812.4%
18404,9758.7%
18507,07442.2%
18605,801−18.0%
18707,92136.5%
188010,27129.7%
189013,34629.9%
190016,22221.5%
191021,02029.6%
192023,49611.8%
193028,27320.3%
194034,80423.1%
195037,6318.1%
196039,7115.5%
197041,7105.0%
198046,49511.5%
199046,9421.0%
200054,03315.1%
201059,0369.3%
202062,0895.2%
2023 (est.)62,969[1]1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790–1960[21] 1900–1990[22]
1990–2000[23] 2010[24] 2020[1]

2020 census

Haywood County racial composition[25]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 55,685 89.69%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 656 1.06%
Native American 308 0.5%
Asian 360 0.58%
Pacific Islander 1 0.0%
Other/Mixed 2,250 3.62%
Hispanic or Latino 2,829 4.56%

As of the 2020 census, there were 62,089 people, 26,653 households, and 17,170 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[26] there were 54,033 people, 23,100 households, and 16,054 families residing in the county. The population density was 98 people per square mile (38 people/km2). There were 28,640 housing units at an average density of 52 units per square mile (20 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.85% White, 1.27% Black or African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.41% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30.8% were of American, 12.9% English, 12.0% German, 10.4% Irish and 8.3% Scots-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.1% spoke English and 1.9% Spanish as their first language.

There were 23,100 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.80% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 27.10% from 45 to 64, and 19.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,922, and the median income for a family was $40,438. Males had a median income of $30,731 versus $21,750 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,554. About 8.10% of families and 11.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.40% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government, law, and public safety

Government

Haywood County is governed by an elected five-member board of commissioners. Each member is popularly-elected to serve a four-year term. The board is responsible for adopting the county budget, setting the local property tax rate, making zoning decisions, and hiring the county attorney and county manager.[27] The county manager oversees county government administration.[28]

Haywood County is a member of the regional Southwestern Commission council of governments.[29] It is located in the North Carolina Senate's 47th district, the Senate's 50th district, the North Carolina House of Representatives' 118th district,[30] and North Carolina's 11th congressional district.[31]

Haywood County contains a small portion of the Qualla Boundary, a tribal reservation for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.[32]

Public safety

The Haywood County Sheriff's Office provides court protection and jail management for the entire county and provides patrol and detective services for the unincorporated portions of the county.[33] The towns of Waynesville, Canton, and Maggie Valley have municipal police departments.[34][35][36] On October 1, 2020, the Haywood County Sheriff's Office took over all law enforcement service for the town of Clyde. They are expected to continue operations in the town until June 2025.[37]

Fire protection and rescue services are provided by the Clyde, Cruso, North Canton, Saunook, Waynesville, Crabtree-Ironduff, Maggie Valley, Junaluska, Center Pigeon, Canton, Jonathan Creek, Fines Creek, and Lake Logan-Cecil Fire Departments.[38]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Haywood County, North Carolina[39]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 23,393 61.80% 13,913 36.76% 545 1.44%
2020 22,834 62.49% 13,144 35.97% 564 1.54%
2016 18,929 61.60% 10,473 34.08% 1,325 4.31%
2012 15,633 55.88% 11,833 42.30% 508 1.82%
2008 14,910 53.12% 12,730 45.36% 427 1.52%
2004 14,545 56.09% 11,237 43.33% 150 0.58%
2000 12,118 54.41% 9,793 43.97% 362 1.63%
1996 7,995 39.84% 9,350 46.59% 2,724 13.57%
1992 7,292 34.71% 10,385 49.43% 3,332 15.86%
1988 8,957 49.68% 9,010 49.98% 61 0.34%
1984 10,146 55.96% 7,958 43.89% 27 0.15%
1980 7,217 41.33% 9,814 56.20% 431 2.47%
1976 5,885 35.35% 10,692 64.22% 71 0.43%
1972 8,903 64.84% 4,515 32.88% 313 2.28%
1968 6,205 39.26% 5,703 36.08% 3,898 24.66%
1964 5,575 34.33% 10,664 65.67% 0 0.00%
1960 8,583 51.62% 8,044 48.38% 0 0.00%
1956 6,955 47.79% 7,598 52.21% 0 0.00%
1952 6,124 41.14% 8,761 58.86% 0 0.00%
1948 2,684 26.14% 7,373 71.82% 209 2.04%
1944 2,919 27.35% 7,755 72.65% 0 0.00%
1940 2,357 21.45% 8,631 78.55% 0 0.00%
1936 3,331 28.95% 8,175 71.05% 0 0.00%
1932 3,082 31.11% 6,790 68.54% 34 0.34%
1928 4,472 51.73% 4,173 48.27% 0 0.00%
1924 2,440 34.71% 4,582 65.18% 8 0.11%
1920 3,000 41.50% 4,229 58.50% 0 0.00%
1916 1,523 38.79% 2,403 61.21% 0 0.00%
1912 354 10.76% 2,068 62.88% 867 26.36%

Voter Registration Statistics: Republicans=16,916 Democrats=11,544

Prior to the Civil War, Haywood County elected several Whigs to office. After the war ended in 1865, Unionists established a local branch of the Republican Party. Republicans dominated local offices until 1870, when the Democratic Party—often as a member of fusionist anti-Reconstruction "Conservative" coalitions alongside former Whigs as well as Moderate Republicans and independents opposed to Reconstruction—experienced a resurgence across the state. By 1876, the county was firmly dominated by Democrats.[40] Democrats remained dominant in the county into the early 21st century. Over the subsequent 20 years, the Republican Party's presence rapidly increased due to the increase of new residents and the defection of local Southern Democrats.[41] In November 2022, Republicans won all contested local races in Haywood, making the county commission entirely occupied by Republicans for the first time in its history.[40]

Economy

Pactiv Evergreen is largest employer in Haywood County, and operates a large paper mill in Canton and another facility in Waynesville. In March 2023, the company announced it would close the Canton mill by the end of June.[42] The closure is projected to result in the loss of hundreds of jobs and $500 million in overall economic impact,[43] and Haywood County Schools is expected to become the largest employer.[42]

Transportation

Rail line in Canton

The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad operates a rail line with freight service through Haywood County.[44]

Major highways

Education

Haywood County Schools operates 15 schools: an early college (Haywood Early College High School), three high schools (Tuscola, Pisgah, and Central Haywood), three middle schools, eight elementary schools.[45] The districts has no low-performing schools and had the seventh highest combined test results among school districts in the state in 2021–22. The county also hosts Haywood Community College.[42] According to the 2021 American Community Survey, an estimated 27.7 percent of county residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher level of education.[15]

Culture

Tuscola–Pisgah rivalry

Main article: Tuscola–Pisgah rivalry

Two county high schools' football teams, the Tuscola High School Mountaineers of Waynesville and Pisgah High School Black Bears of Canton, have maintained a rivalry dating back to the school teams' predecessors' first game in 1922.[46] Annual football games between the two teams are popular events for locals and sometimes attract over 10,000 spectators.[46][47]

Festivals

Since the 1930s, Haywood County has hosted an annual ramp (Allium tricoccum) convention.[48][49][50]

Folkmoot USA is an international folk festival held since 1984 in Waynesville, North Carolina and surrounding communities. During its history, the two-week event has featured around 200 groups from approximately 100 countries. The Southeast Tourism Society has named Folkmoot USA one of its top twenty events for 20 years. The North Carolina General Assembly declared Folkmoot USA to be the state's official international folk festival in 2003.[51][52][53]

Communities

Map of Haywood County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Haywood County townships include:[55]

  • Beaverdam
  • Cataloochee
  • Cecil
  • Clyde
  • Crabtree
  • East Fork
  • Fines Creek
  • Iron Duff
  • Ivy Hill
  • Jonathan Creek
  • Pigeon
  • Suttontown
  • Waynesville
  • White Oak

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Haywood County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Vocci, Robert Blair (2006). "Haywood County". NCPedia. North Carolina Government & Heritage Library. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Beadle & Yurko 2010, p. 7.
  6. ^ Corbitt 2000, p. 117.
  7. ^ Corbitt 2000, pp. 117–118.
  8. ^ Beadle & Yurko 2010, p. 14.
  9. ^ Corbitt 2000, p. 118.
  10. ^ Corbitt 2000, p. 119.
  11. ^ ""Last Shot" Confederate Memorial". www.ncpedia.org. UNC Libraries. July 11, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Ross, Kathy N. (May 2, 2022). "State's last Civil War surrender like no other". The Mountaineer. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Fisher, Bernard; Morfe, Don (June 16, 2016) [July 19, 2014]. "Waynesville Engagement - Among the Last to Die". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  14. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Haywood County, North Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  16. ^ "Water". Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. March 3, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  17. ^ "Did you know: Fast Facts about Haywood County". Haywood County North Carolina. Haywood County Government. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  18. ^ "Mean County Elevation Lists". cohp.org. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  19. ^ a b c d "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  20. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  21. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  22. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  25. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  26. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  27. ^ "Board of County Commissioners". Haywood County, North Carolina. Haywood County Government. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  28. ^ "Office of the County Manager". Haywood County, North Carolina. Haywood County Government. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  29. ^ "Haywood County, NC". www.haywoodcountync.gov. September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  30. ^ "Haywood County Representation : 2023-2024 Session". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  31. ^ "Democratic candidates for US House to debate". The McDowell News. April 6, 2022. pp. A1, A4.
  32. ^ "Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians". United South and Eastern Tribes. September 23, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  33. ^ "Welcome". Haywood County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  34. ^ "Police". www.waynesvillenc.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  35. ^ "Police Department". Town of Canton. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "Police Department". Town of Maggie Valley. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  37. ^ Vaillancourt, Cory (September 23, 2020). "County will assume Clyde PD duties". Smoky Mountain News.
  38. ^ "Links | Haywood County Fire Departments". The Town of Waynesville, NC. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  39. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  40. ^ a b Hyatt, Vicki (December 7, 2022). "Republican dominance in election marks historic time for Haywood politics". The Mountaineer. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  41. ^ Johnson, Becky (November 9, 2022). "GOP election sweep ousts long-time Haywood County commissioner". The Mountaineer. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  42. ^ a b c Rash, Mebane (March 20, 2023). "When the lights go out in a mill town that truly loves being a mill town". EducationNC. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  43. ^ Perez, Charles (March 8, 2023). "Ripple effects on economy from Pactiv Evergreen paper mill closure estimated to be $500M". WLOS News 13. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  44. ^ Hyatt, Vicki (February 20, 2023). "Expanded rail service in Haywood? There are plenty of obstacles". The Mountaineer. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  45. ^ "Facts about HCS". Haywood County Schools. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  46. ^ a b Auffhammer, Tyler (October 13, 2022). "A great American rivalry continues". The Mountaineer. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  47. ^ Thompson, David (September 5, 2019). "Planning a rivalry: Behind the scenes of how the Pisgah-Tuscola game comes together". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  48. ^ Tetterton, Beverly (2006). "Ramps". NCPedia. North Carolina Government & Heritage Library. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  49. ^ Vaillancourt, Cory (May 14, 2018). "Ramps: Cuisine Meets Culture In The Mountains Of Western North Carolina". Blue Ridge Public Radio. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  50. ^ Harrell, Shelby (April 28, 2021). "Get ready for Ramps". The Mountaineer. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  51. ^ Beadle, Michael (July 18, 2007). "A World of Difference". Smoky Mountain News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  52. ^ "Folkmoot USA International Festival". www.romanticasheville.com. June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  53. ^ "Folkmoot USA—The State International Festival of North Carolina". www.folkmoot.org. June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 17, 2010.
  54. ^ a b c "Our Community". Haywood County, North Carolina. Haywood County Government. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  55. ^ Powell 1976, p. 219.

Works cited

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