Cabarrus County, North Carolina
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Cabarrus County is a county located in the south-central part of the state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 131,063. A population of approximately 140,000 in 2003 represents a vast increase in population over the past 30 years, due largely to the increase in urban sprawl of Charlotte, North Carolina to the southwest. Its county seat is Concord6, and dates from the latter eighteenth century.
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History
The county was formed in 1792 from Mecklenburg County. It was named after Stephen Cabarrus of Chowan County, speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons.
Law and government
Cabarrus County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 945 km² (365 mi²). 944 km² (364 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.16% water.
Cabarrus County sits in gently rolling country with no significantly high peaks or points. Altitude ranges from approximately 500-800 feet above sea level. No large or navigable rivers flow through the county. Land slope is generally toward the southeast. Weather is temperate with hot summers and chilly winters. Severe weather occurs occasionally, with thunderstorms in the warmer months of the year and ice storms and snowfalls occurring on occasion in winter. From zero to three accumulating snowfalls may be expected in an average winter. Snow generally melts between accumulating snowfalls, and there is no consistent snowpack. An average of four inches of snow and 46 inches of rain falls each year. At summer solstice, the length of day is approximately 14 hours and 33 minutes, with visible light lasting 15 hours and 32 minutes.
Townships
The county is divided into twelve townships, which are both numbered and named: 1 (Harrisburg), 2 (Poplar Tent), 3 (Odell), 4 (Kannapolis), 5 (New Gilead), 6 (Rimertown), 7 (Gold Hill), 8 (Mount Pleasant), 9 (Georgeville), 10 (Midland), 11 (Central Cabarrus), and 12 (Concord).
Adjacent Counties
- Rowan County, North Carolina - north
- Stanly County, North Carolina - east
- Union County, North Carolina - south
- Mecklenburg County, North Carolina - west
- Iredell County, North Carolina - northwest
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 131,063 people, 49,519 households, and 36,545 families residing in the county. The population density is 139/km² (360/mi²). There are 52,848 housing units at an average density of 56/km² (145/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 83.26% White, 12.18% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.30% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 5.05% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 49,519 households out of which 34.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% are married couples living together, 10.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% are non-families. 21.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.03.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 32.50% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $46,140, and the median income for a family is $53,692. Males have a median income of $36,714 versus $26,010 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,121. 7.10% of the population and 4.80% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.30% of those under the age of 18 and 9.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Agriculture has played an important part in the economic life of the county for over 200 years. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, textiles became a vital part of the local economy, especially in the northern portion of the county. Today, the local economy has a more varied base.
Communication is via an Interstate highway, Interstate 85, which travels southwest to northeast across the county's northern portion, and several U.S. and state highways. A general aviation airport (airport code JQF) is located seven miles west of Concord. Commercial flights to the area are accessed through the airports at Charlotte, or at Greensboro, North Carolina. Passenger rail service to Concord is available via Amtrak. Both wired and wireless telephone services are nearly universally available in the county. Cable television is available in much of the county. Cabarrus County is within the Greater Charlotte area for broadcast communications.
Most residents of Cabarrus County are Caucasian of Scotch-Irish, German, or English-Welsh extraction. A minority population of African American residents inhabit the county, and in recent years, a remarkable influx of Hispanic residents, mostly Mexican, has arrived in the area, largely in support of the area's agriculture.
Culturally, Cabarrus County residents are historically Christian of low-church protestant traditions, especially Southern Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist, with a significant number of Lutherans. A Roman Catholic parish is organized in Concord, and a small Jewish community exists in the area. Eastern Orthodox congregations are available in nearby Charlotte.
Attractions
Essential services, including a hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, are available in Concord. There are no VA hospitals or military installations in the county.
A popular motor racing track is located in the county and hosts nationally-broadcast races each year. Beaches of both North and South Carolina provide recreation to residents of Cabarrus County, and are located about three hours away by automobile. The Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina provide cool relief from summer heat as well as winter sports, and are located approximately two to three hours away from the area via automobile. Shopping and golf are available in the county. Cabarrus County is home to the Reed Gold Mine, site of the first gold discovery in the United States.
Cities and towns
External links
- Cabarrus County government official website (http://www.co.cabarrus.nc.us)
