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Coordinates: 35°29′N 81°14′W / 35.49°N 81.23°W / 35.49; -81.23
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{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Lincoln County
| county = Lincoln County
| state = North Carolina
| state = North Carolina
| seal = Lincoln County Seal.png
| seal = Lincoln County Seal.png
| founded = 1779
| founded = 1779
| named for = [[Benjamin Lincoln]]
| named for = [[Benjamin Lincoln]]
| seat wl = Lincolnton
| seat wl = Lincolnton
| largest city wl = Lincolnton
| largest city wl = Lincolnton
| city type = community
| area_total_sq_mi = 304.87
| area_total_sq_mi = 304.87
| area_land_sq_mi = 295.85
| area_land_sq_mi = 295.85
Line 15: Line 16:
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_total = 86810
| population_total = 86810
| pop_est_as_of = 2022
| pop_est_as_of = 2023
| population_est = 93095
| population_est = 95675 {{gain}}
| density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 293.43
| coordinates = {{coord|35.49|-81.23|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
| web = www.lincolncounty.org
| web = www.lincolncounty.org
| district = 10th
| district = 10th
| time zone = Eastern
| time zone = Eastern
| ex image = Lincoln County Courthouse (Lincolnton, North Carolina).jpg
| ex image = Lincoln County Courthouse (Lincolnton, North Carolina).jpg
| ex image cap = [[Lincoln County Courthouse (North Carolina)|Lincoln County Courthouse]]
| ex image cap = [[Lincoln County Courthouse (North Carolina)|Lincoln County Courthouse]]
| flag = Lincoln County Flag.gif
| flag = Lincoln County Flag.gif }}
}}

⚫
'''Lincoln County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 86,810, making it the most populous "Lincoln County" in the United States.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lincoln County, North Carolina |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lincolncountynorthcarolina |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Lincolnton, North Carolina|Lincolnton]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>


⚫
'''Lincoln County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 86,810,<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> making it the most populous "Lincoln County" in the United States. Its [[county seat]] is [[Lincolnton, North Carolina|Lincolnton]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Lincoln County is included in the [[Charlotte metropolitan area|Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area]].
Lincoln County is included in the [[Charlotte metropolitan area|Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area]].


==History==
==History==
The county was formed in 1779 from the eastern part of [[Tryon County, North Carolina|Tryon County]], which had been settled by Europeans in the mid-18th Century. It was named for [[Benjamin Lincoln]], a general in the [[American Revolutionary War]]."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.co.lincoln.nc.us/index.aspx?NID=416|title=County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website - History Corner|website=www.co.lincoln.nc.us|language=en|access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref> During the American Revolution, the [[Battle of Ramsour's Mill]] occurred near a [[Gristmill|grist mill]] in Lincolnton.
The county was formed in 1779 from the eastern part of [[Tryon County, North Carolina|Tryon County]], which had been settled by Europeans in the mid-18th Century. It was named for [[Benjamin Lincoln]], a general in the [[American Revolutionary War]]."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.co.lincoln.nc.us/index.aspx?NID=416|title=County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website - History Corner|website=www.co.lincoln.nc.us|language=en|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref> During the American Revolution, the [[Battle of Ramsour's Mill]] occurred near a [[Gristmill|grist mill]] in Lincolnton.


In 1782 the southeastern part of [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke County]] was annexed to Lincoln County. In 1841, parts of Lincoln County and [[Rutherford County, North Carolina|Rutherford County]] were combined to form [[Cleveland County, North Carolina|Cleveland County]]. In 1842, the northern third of Lincoln County became [[Catawba County, North Carolina|Catawba County]]. In 1846, the southern half of what was left of Lincoln County became [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston County]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lincoln County {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/lincoln |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref>
In 1782 the southeastern part of [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke County]] was annexed to Lincoln County. In 1841, parts of Lincoln County and [[Rutherford County, North Carolina|Rutherford County]] were combined to form [[Cleveland County, North Carolina|Cleveland County]]. In 1842, the northern third of Lincoln County became [[Catawba County, North Carolina|Catawba County]]. In 1846, the southern half of what was left of Lincoln County became [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston County]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lincoln County {{!}} NCpedia |url=https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/lincoln |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=www.ncpedia.org}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
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===State and local protected areas===
===State and local protected areas===
* [[Mountain Island Educational State Forest]] (part)
* [[Mountain Island Educational State Forest]] (part)
* [[Pee Wee's Mountain Bike Trail]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks and Recreation {{!}} County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website |url=https://www.lincolncounty.org/129/Parks-and-Recreation |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.lincolncounty.org}}</ref>
* [[Pee Wee's Mountain Bike Trail]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks and Recreation {{!}} County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website |url=https://www.lincolncounty.org/129/Parks-and-Recreation |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=www.lincolncounty.org}}</ref>
* [[Rock Springs Nature Preserve]]
* [[Rock Springs Nature Preserve]]
* [[South Fork Rail Trail]]
* [[South Fork Rail Trail]]


===Major water bodies===
===Major water bodies===
* [[Anderson Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Anderson Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lincoln County North Carolina Streams |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/features/physical,class,stream,scfips,37109.cfm |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[Anderson Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Anderson Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lincoln County North Carolina Streams |url=https://northcarolina.hometownlocator.com/features/physical,class,stream,scfips,37109.cfm |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=northcarolina.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
* [[Ballard Creek (North Carolina)|Ballard Creek]]
* [[Ballard Creek (North Carolina)|Ballard Creek]]
* [[Buffalo Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Buffalo Creek]]
* [[Buffalo Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Buffalo Creek]]
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=== Major infrastructure ===
=== Major infrastructure ===
* [[Lincoln County Airport (North Carolina)|Lincoln County Airport]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airport (IPJ) {{!}} County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website |url=https://www.lincolncounty.org/93/Airport |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=www.lincolncounty.org}}</ref>
* [[Lincoln County Airport (North Carolina)|Lincoln County Airport]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airport (IPJ) {{!}} County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website |url=https://www.lincolncounty.org/93/Airport |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=www.lincolncounty.org}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
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|2010= 78265
|2010= 78265
|2020= 86810
|2020= 86810
|estyear=2022
|estyear=2023
|estimate=93095
|estimate=95675
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=2010-03-27 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37109.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607000335/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37109.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url= https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/lincolncountynorthcarolina|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lincoln County, North Carolina|publisher= www.census.gov|access-date=May 31, 2022}}</ref>}}
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37109.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607000335/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37109.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lincolncountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Lincoln County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>
}}


===2020 census===
===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Lincoln County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37109&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-21|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
|+Lincoln County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37109&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 21, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Number
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| 7.39%
| 7.39%
|}
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 86,810 people, 34,418 households, and 24,445 families residing in the county.<ref name=":1" />
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 86,810 people, 34,418 households, and 24,445 families residing in the county.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>


===2010 census===
===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-05-14|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 78,265 people, 30,343 households, and 22,221 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|261.76|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 33,641 housing units at an average density of {{convert|112.51|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 89.4% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 5.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.7% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 78,265 people, 30,343 households, and 22,221 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|261.76|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 33,641 housing units at an average density of {{convert|112.51|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 89.4% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 5.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.7% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.


There were 30,343 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.
There were 30,343 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.
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==Government and politics==
==Government and politics==
{{PresHead|place=Lincoln County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=2018-03-16}}</ref>}}
{{PresHead|place=Lincoln County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->{{PresRow|2024|Republican|40,183|14,842|557|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|36,341|13,274|602|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|36,341|13,274|602|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|28,806|9,897|1,320|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|28,806|9,897|1,320|North Carolina}}
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=== Controversy ===
=== Controversy ===
In February 2020, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department received media attention when surveillance video was released showing first a pair of [[Atrium Health]] security guards assaulting a sixteen-year-old boy brought to the hospital's emergency room. When another pair of sheriff's deputies arrived, video shows one of the deputies hitting the boy, now handcuffed, in the face twice as the boy spit blood pooling in his mouth after being tackled from behind by security guards. The deputy then aggressively approached the mother, yelling at her before being pulled to the ground by a second deputy, In an interview with WBTV, Lincoln County Sheriff [[Bill Beam]] defended his deputies saying they did nothing wrong, denying that the officer struck the boy or that the officer was physically restrained by two additional sheriff's deputies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/video/2020/02/14/full-interview-lincoln-county-sheriff-bill-beam-teen-assaulted-outside-er/|title=FULL INTERVIEW: Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam on teen assaulted outside ER|website=WBTV|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref> The boy was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2020/02/14/video-shows-teen-assaulted-by-atrium-security-lincoln-co-sheriffs-deputy-outside-er/|title=Video shows teen assaulted by Atrium security, Lincoln Co. sheriff’s deputy outside ER|last=Ochsner|first=Nick|website=WBTV|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>
In February 2020, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department received media attention when surveillance video was released showing first a pair of [[Atrium Health]] security guards assaulting a sixteen-year-old boy brought to the hospital's emergency room. When another pair of sheriff's deputies arrived, video shows one of the deputies hitting the boy, now handcuffed, in the face twice as the boy spit blood pooling in his mouth after being tackled from behind by security guards. The deputy then aggressively approached the mother, yelling at her before being pulled to the ground by a second deputy, In an interview with WBTV, Lincoln County Sheriff [[Bill Beam]] defended his deputies saying they did nothing wrong, denying that the officer struck the boy or that the officer was physically restrained by two additional sheriff's deputies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/video/2020/02/14/full-interview-lincoln-county-sheriff-bill-beam-teen-assaulted-outside-er/|title=FULL INTERVIEW: Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam on teen assaulted outside ER|website=WBTV|language=en-US|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref> The boy was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbtv.com/2020/02/14/video-shows-teen-assaulted-by-atrium-security-lincoln-co-sheriffs-deputy-outside-er/|title=Video shows teen assaulted by Atrium security, Lincoln Co. sheriff’s deputy outside ER|last=Ochsner|first=Nick|website=WBTV|language=en-US|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
===Post-secondary education===
===Post-secondary education===
* [[Gaston College]] - Community College located in [[Dallas, North Carolina]] with a satellite campus in Lincolnton offering associate degree, Certificate, and Diploma programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=College |first=Gaston |title=Associate Degree Programs {{!}} Community College |url=https://www.gaston.edu/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=Gaston College |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Gaston College]] - Community College located in [[Dallas, North Carolina]] with a satellite campus in Lincolnton offering associate degree, Certificate, and Diploma programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=College |first=Gaston |title=Associate Degree Programs {{!}} Community College |url=https://www.gaston.edu/ |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=Gaston College |language=en}}</ref>


===Lincoln County Schools===
===Lincoln County Schools===
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==Communities==
==Communities==
[[Image:Map of Lincoln County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|upright=1.3|Map of Lincoln County with municipal and township labels]]
[[File:Map of Lincoln County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|upright=1.3|Map of Lincoln County with municipal and township labels]]


===City===
===City===
* [[Lincolnton, North Carolina|Lincolnton]] (county seat and largest city)
* [[Lincolnton, North Carolina|Lincolnton]] (county seat and largest community)


===Town===
===Town===
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|Northwest = [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke County]]
|Northwest = [[Burke County, North Carolina|Burke County]]
}}
}}

{{Lincoln County, North Carolina}}
{{Lincoln County, North Carolina}}
{{Charlotte/Metrolina}}
{{Charlotte/Metrolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
⚫
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|35.48|-81.22|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:UScensus1990}}

⚫
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Lincoln County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:Lincoln County, North Carolina| ]]

Latest revision as of 04:45, 20 November 2024

Lincoln County
County
Lincoln County Courthouse
Lincoln County Courthouse
Flag of Lincoln County
Flag
Official seal of Lincoln County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Lincoln 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°29′N 81°14′W / 35.49°N 81.23°W / 35.49; -81.23
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1779
Named forBenjamin Lincoln
SeatLincolnton
Largest communityLincolnton
Area
 • Total
304.87 sq mi (789.6 km2)
 • Land295.85 sq mi (766.2 km2)
 • Water9.02 sq mi (23.4 km2)  2.96%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
86,810
 • Estimate 
(2023)
95,675 Increase
 • Density280/sq mi (110/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.lincolncounty.org

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,810,[1] making it the most populous "Lincoln County" in the United States. Its county seat is Lincolnton.[2] Lincoln County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

[edit]

The county was formed in 1779 from the eastern part of Tryon County, which had been settled by Europeans in the mid-18th Century. It was named for Benjamin Lincoln, a general in the American Revolutionary War."[3] During the American Revolution, the Battle of Ramsour's Mill occurred near a grist mill in Lincolnton.

In 1782 the southeastern part of Burke County was annexed to Lincoln County. In 1841, parts of Lincoln County and Rutherford County were combined to form Cleveland County. In 1842, the northern third of Lincoln County became Catawba County. In 1846, the southern half of what was left of Lincoln County became Gaston County.[3][4]

Geography

[edit]
Map
Interactive map of Lincoln County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 304.87 square miles (789.6 km2), of which 295.85 square miles (766.2 km2) is land and 9.02 square miles (23.4 km2) (2.96%) is water.[5]

State and local protected areas

[edit]

Major water bodies

[edit]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Major highways

[edit]

Major infrastructure

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17909,246—
180012,66036.9%
181016,35929.2%
182018,14710.9%
183022,45523.7%
184025,16012.0%
18507,746−69.2%
18608,1955.8%
18709,57316.8%
188011,06115.5%
189012,58613.8%
190015,49823.1%
191017,13210.5%
192017,8624.3%
193022,87228.0%
194024,1875.7%
195027,45913.5%
196028,8144.9%
197032,68213.4%
198042,37229.6%
199050,31918.8%
200063,78026.8%
201078,26522.7%
202086,81010.9%
2023 (est.)95,675[1]10.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010[13] 2020[1]

2020 census

[edit]
Lincoln County racial composition[14]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 71,661 82.55%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,405 5.07%
Native American 237 0.27%
Asian 692 0.8%
Pacific Islander 15 0.02%
Other/Mixed 3,388 3.9%
Hispanic or Latino 6,412 7.39%

As of the 2020 census, there were 86,810 people, 34,418 households, and 24,445 families residing in the county.[1]

2010 census

[edit]

At the 2010 census,[15] there were 78,265 people, 30,343 households, and 22,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 261.76 people per square mile (101.07 people/km2). There were 33,641 housing units at an average density of 112.51 units per square mile (43.44 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 89.4% White, 5.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. 6.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 30,343 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.4 years. For every 100 females there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,456, and the median income for a family was $48,298. Males had a median income of $41,441 versus $30,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,861. About 10.4% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, as well as 25.3% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, North Carolina[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 40,183 72.29% 14,842 26.70% 557 1.00%
2020 36,341 72.37% 13,274 26.43% 602 1.20%
2016 28,806 71.97% 9,897 24.73% 1,320 3.30%
2012 25,267 68.71% 11,024 29.98% 484 1.32%
2008 23,631 66.01% 11,713 32.72% 454 1.27%
2004 20,052 67.79% 9,434 31.89% 93 0.31%
2000 15,951 65.03% 8,412 34.29% 166 0.68%
1996 11,439 54.86% 7,721 37.03% 1,690 8.11%
1992 11,018 49.29% 8,150 36.46% 3,187 14.26%
1988 11,651 64.26% 6,444 35.54% 35 0.19%
1984 12,621 67.64% 5,996 32.13% 42 0.23%
1980 9,009 52.39% 7,796 45.34% 391 2.27%
1976 6,682 41.22% 9,462 58.37% 66 0.41%
1972 8,597 61.88% 5,100 36.71% 195 1.40%
1968 6,188 46.20% 4,044 30.19% 3,161 23.60%
1964 5,869 44.55% 7,304 55.45% 0 0.00%
1960 6,816 50.32% 6,728 49.68% 0 0.00%
1956 6,637 53.20% 5,838 46.80% 0 0.00%
1952 6,228 53.61% 5,389 46.39% 0 0.00%
1948 3,635 43.49% 3,570 42.71% 1,153 13.80%
1944 3,678 46.88% 4,168 53.12% 0 0.00%
1940 3,099 38.74% 4,901 61.26% 0 0.00%
1936 3,501 38.83% 5,515 61.17% 0 0.00%
1932 3,563 44.56% 4,399 55.02% 34 0.43%
1928 3,930 57.43% 2,913 42.57% 0 0.00%
1924 2,658 47.39% 2,909 51.86% 42 0.75%
1920 3,137 48.50% 3,331 51.50% 0 0.00%
1916 1,369 47.22% 1,521 52.47% 9 0.31%
1912 49 2.03% 1,280 53.11% 1,081 44.85%

Lincoln County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.[17]

Controversy

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In February 2020, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department received media attention when surveillance video was released showing first a pair of Atrium Health security guards assaulting a sixteen-year-old boy brought to the hospital's emergency room. When another pair of sheriff's deputies arrived, video shows one of the deputies hitting the boy, now handcuffed, in the face twice as the boy spit blood pooling in his mouth after being tackled from behind by security guards. The deputy then aggressively approached the mother, yelling at her before being pulled to the ground by a second deputy, In an interview with WBTV, Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam defended his deputies saying they did nothing wrong, denying that the officer struck the boy or that the officer was physically restrained by two additional sheriff's deputies.[18] The boy was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer.[19]

Education

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Post-secondary education

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Lincoln County Schools

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High schools

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Middle school

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  • Asbury Academy
  • East Lincoln
  • Lincolnton
  • North Lincoln
  • West Lincoln

Intermediate schools

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  • Pumpkin Center Intermediate School

Elementary schools

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  • Asbury
  • Battleground
  • Catawba Springs
  • G. E. Massey
  • Iron Station
  • Love Memorial
  • Norris S. Childers
  • North Brook
  • Pumpkin Center Primary
  • Rock Springs
  • S. Ray Lowder
  • St. James
  • Union

Charter schools

  • Lincoln Charter School

Communities

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Map of Lincoln County with municipal and township labels

City

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Town

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

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  • Catawba Springs
  • Howards Creek
  • Ironton
  • Lincolnton
  • North Brook

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "QuickFacts: Lincoln County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website - History Corner". www.co.lincoln.nc.us. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  4. ^ "Lincoln County | NCpedia". www.ncpedia.org. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  5. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  6. ^ "Parks and Recreation | County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website". www.lincolncounty.org. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "Lincoln County North Carolina Streams". northcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "Airport (IPJ) | County of Lincoln, NC - Official Website". www.lincolncounty.org. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  11. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "Centralina Council of Governments". Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  18. ^ "FULL INTERVIEW: Lincoln County Sheriff Bill Beam on teen assaulted outside ER". WBTV. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  19. ^ Ochsner, Nick. "Video shows teen assaulted by Atrium security, Lincoln Co. sheriff's deputy outside ER". WBTV. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  20. ^ College, Gaston. "Associate Degree Programs | Community College". Gaston College. Retrieved May 27, 2022.

Further reading

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