Montgomery County is a rural county located in the southern Piedmont of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,751. [1] Its county seat is Troy. [2]
The first inhabitants of the area eventually comprising Montgomery County were Keyauwee and Cheraw Native Americans. The first European settlers were German and Scottish. [3]
Montgomery County was created in 1779 out of Anson County. It was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War general killed in 1775 while attempting to capture Quebec City, Canada. The law establishing the county also directed a group of commissioners to secure land near the center of the county for the construction of a country courthouse and prison. Many residents were dissatisfied with the location chosen, and after several years of demurring on a decision, a courthouse was erected in the community of Henderson, created at the confluence of the Yadkin and Uwharrie rivers in 1794. [4] In 1816, the old courthouse was sold another was erected at the new community of Laurenceville. [5] In 1841, the portion of Montgomery County west of the Yadkin/Pee Dee River became Stanly County. [6] Two years later, commissioners were selected to move the courthouse to Montgomery's geographic center, and in 1844 Troy was established as the county seat. [7]
The county's first paved roads were established in the 1920s. The Great Depression, which began in 1929, had a large adverse impact on the local agricultural and manufacturing industries. By 1933, 30 percent of local residents were unemployed. [8]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 501.54 square miles (1,299.0 km2), of which 491.54 square miles (1,273.1 km2) is land and 10.00 square miles (25.9 km2) (1.99%) is water. [9] Montgomery is bordered by Davidson, Moore, Richmond, Randolph, and Stanly counties. Most of the county lies within the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin, with some smaller areas lying within the Cape Fear and Lumber River basins. The Uwharrie National Forest encompasses a large swathe of the county. [3]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1790 | 5,039 | — | |
1800 | 7,677 | 52.4% | |
1810 | 8,430 | 9.8% | |
1820 | 8,693 | 3.1% | |
1830 | 10,919 | 25.6% | |
1840 | 10,780 | −1.3% | |
1850 | 6,872 | −36.3% | |
1860 | 7,649 | 11.3% | |
1870 | 7,487 | −2.1% | |
1880 | 9,374 | 25.2% | |
1890 | 11,239 | 19.9% | |
1900 | 14,197 | 26.3% | |
1910 | 14,967 | 5.4% | |
1920 | 14,607 | −2.4% | |
1930 | 16,218 | 11.0% | |
1940 | 16,280 | 0.4% | |
1950 | 17,260 | 6.0% | |
1960 | 18,408 | 6.7% | |
1970 | 19,267 | 4.7% | |
1980 | 22,469 | 16.6% | |
1990 | 23,346 | 3.9% | |
2000 | 26,822 | 14.9% | |
2010 | 27,798 | 3.6% | |
2020 | 25,751 | −7.4% | |
2023 (est.) | 26,085 | [1] | 1.3% |
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13] 1990–2000 [14] 2010 [15] 2020 [1] |
Race | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic) | 16,504 | 64.0% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,192 | 16.28% |
Native American | 76 | 0.3% |
Asian | 391 | 1.52% |
Pacific Islander | 2 | 0.01% |
Other/Mixed | 662 | 2.57% |
Hispanic or Latino | 3,924 | 15.24% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 25,751 people, 10,195 households, and 6,788 families residing in the county.
At the 2000 census, [17] there were 26,822 people, 9,848 households, and 7,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 14,145 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.07% White, 21.84% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.61% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 5.75% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 10.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,848 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.080.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,903, and the median income for a family was $39,616. Males had a median income of $27,832 versus $21,063 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,505. About 10.90% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.
The county's government is led by a board of commissioners, is responsible for levying taxes and appropriating county funds, issuing ordinances to regulate resident behavior, and overseeing county government administration. [18] A county manager oversees most regular administrative activities and is responsible for executing the board's wishes. [19]
Montgomery County is a member of the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, a regional voluntary association of 12 counties, [20] It is located entirely in the North Carolina Senate's 29th district, the North Carolina House of Representatives' 67th district, [21] and North Carolina's 8th congressional district. It is represented in the 118th United States Congress by Dan Bishop (R).
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 9,044 | 68.48% | 4,055 | 30.71% | 107 | 0.81% |
2020 | 8,411 | 65.46% | 4,327 | 33.68% | 111 | 0.86% |
2016 | 7,130 | 61.79% | 4,150 | 35.96% | 260 | 2.25% |
2012 | 6,404 | 57.02% | 4,706 | 41.90% | 121 | 1.08% |
2008 | 6,155 | 54.91% | 4,926 | 43.94% | 129 | 1.15% |
2004 | 5,745 | 56.99% | 4,313 | 42.79% | 22 | 0.22% |
2000 | 4,946 | 55.11% | 3,979 | 44.34% | 49 | 0.55% |
1996 | 3,379 | 43.11% | 3,856 | 49.20% | 603 | 7.69% |
1992 | 3,543 | 38.67% | 4,422 | 48.27% | 1,196 | 13.06% |
1988 | 4,504 | 52.80% | 3,995 | 46.83% | 31 | 0.36% |
1984 | 5,109 | 57.07% | 3,831 | 42.79% | 12 | 0.13% |
1980 | 3,587 | 45.74% | 4,129 | 52.65% | 126 | 1.61% |
1976 | 2,872 | 39.83% | 4,308 | 59.74% | 31 | 0.43% |
1972 | 4,417 | 65.67% | 2,175 | 32.34% | 134 | 1.99% |
1968 | 3,070 | 39.67% | 2,410 | 31.14% | 2,259 | 29.19% |
1964 | 3,385 | 46.26% | 3,933 | 53.74% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 3,649 | 52.53% | 3,297 | 47.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 3,359 | 52.10% | 3,088 | 47.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 3,181 | 50.04% | 3,176 | 49.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 1,975 | 43.33% | 2,165 | 47.50% | 418 | 9.17% |
1944 | 1,963 | 42.42% | 2,665 | 57.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
1940 | 1,789 | 37.30% | 3,007 | 62.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 2,506 | 41.84% | 3,484 | 58.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 2,153 | 42.23% | 2,927 | 57.41% | 18 | 0.35% |
1928 | 2,653 | 56.82% | 2,016 | 43.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 2,077 | 45.50% | 2,483 | 54.39% | 5 | 0.11% |
1920 | 2,304 | 49.82% | 2,321 | 50.18% | 0 | 0.00% |
1916 | 1,196 | 49.46% | 1,222 | 50.54% | 0 | 0.00% |
1912 | 144 | 7.19% | 1,012 | 50.55% | 846 | 42.26% |
As of March 2022, 35.9 percent of registered voters in Montgomery County were Republicans, 34.1 percent were registered Democrats, and 29.4 percent were registered unaffiliated. [23]
One of the United States' largest lumber mills, a Jordan Lumber & Supply facility, is located near Mt. Gilead. [24]
Interstate 73/Interstate 74 runs through the eastern portion of Montgomery County. The main east-to-west road route which crosses the county is North Carolina Highway 27. [25] Freight rail service is run by the Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway, which operates an east-to-west line through the county which connects to Charlotte and Raleigh, and another which runs south to the Southern Pines/Pinehurst region. [26] Corporate and private airplane facilities are provided by the Montgomery County Airport, located in the eastern portion of the county. [27]
The public school system provides five elementary schools (Star, Mt. Gilead, Candor, Page Street, and Green Ridge), two middle schools (West Montgomery and East Montgomery and one high school (Montgomery Central, formed in 2020 by the merger of East Montgomery High and West Montgomery High). Higher education is provided by Montgomery Community College.
Marlboro County is a county located in the Pee Dee region on the northern border of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 26,667. Its county seat is Bennettsville. The Great Pee Dee River runs through it.
Yadkin County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,214. Its county seat is Yadkinville. Yadkin County is included in the Winston-Salem, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro–Winston-Salem–High Point, NC Combined Statistical Area.
Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 71,359. Its county seat is Dobson, and its largest community is Mount Airy.
Stanly County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,504. Its county seat is Albemarle.
Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 144,171. Its county seat is Asheboro.
Davidson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 168,930. Its county seat is Lexington, and its largest community is Thomasville.
Anson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,055. Its county seat is Wadesboro.
Troy is a town in Montgomery County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,188 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Montgomery County. A short story by Charles W. Chesnutt, The Sheriff's Children, is set in Troy.
Albemarle is a city in and the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 16,432 in the 2020 census.
Norwood is a town in Stanly County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,379 at the 2010 census.
McColl is a town in Marlboro County, South Carolina, United States. It lies in the state's Pee Dee region, 8 miles (13 km) from the North Carolina border. The population was 2,174 at the 2010 census.
The Yadkin River is one of the longest rivers in the US state of North Carolina, flowing 215 miles (346 km). It rises in the northwestern portion of the state near the Blue Ridge Parkway's Thunder Hill Overlook. Several parts of the river are impounded by dams for water, power, and flood control. The river becomes the Pee Dee River at the confluence of the Uwharrie River south of the community of Badin and east of the town of Albemarle. The river then flows into South Carolina near Cheraw, which is at the Fall Line. The entirety of the Yadkin River and the Great Pee Dee River is part of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin.
The Uwharrie River () is a 61.84 mi (99.52 km) long river, in the Piedmont region of central North Carolina in the United States. It is a tributary of the Pee Dee River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
The Tuckertown Reservoir is the reservoir formed by the Tuckertown Dam35°29′05″N80°10′36″W at the North end of Badin Lake and the High Rock Dam 35°36′03″N80°14′06″W at the bottom of High Rock Lake in the Uwharrie Lakes Region in the U.S. state of North Carolina.
Lake Tillery is a reservoir between Falls Reservoir and Blewett Falls Lake in the Uwharrie Lakes Region of North Carolina. It is entirely within Stanly County and Montgomery County, NC. The lake was created by impounding the Pee Dee River, which is created by the confluence of the Yadkin River and the Uwharrie River several miles to the north. Norwood, NC in neighboring Stanly County uses as its town motto "Gateway to Lake Tillery".
Uwharrie National Forest is a federally designated national forest region located primarily in Montgomery County, but also extending into Randolph and Davidson counties in south central North Carolina. It is the smallest of the four National Forests in North Carolina, with a total area of 50,645 acres (204.95 km2). About 79% of its acreage is in Montgomery County. The forest is managed together with the other three North Carolina National Forests from common headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina. However, it does have a local ranger district office in Troy, North Carolina. There is one officially designated wilderness area within the forest—the 5,025-acre (20.34 km²) Birkhead Mountains Wilderness.
North Carolina Highway 109 (NC 109) is a north–south state highway in North Carolina. It primarily connects small towns in the central Piedmont region of the state. The 117-mile (188 km) route is a two-lane road for most of its length, but the segment between Winston-Salem and Thomasville is being upgraded to a divided 4-lane highway, as it is a major route between the two cities. The central segment of NC 109 passes through the Uwharrie Mountains and the Uwharrie National Forest.
North Carolina Highway 73 (NC 73) is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of North Carolina that travels through south-central North Carolina in the United States. Most of the route is a two-lane highway that passes through both rural scenic areas; however, it also serves several small and moderate-sized cities in the state, including Concord and Albemarle. The western terminus of NC 73 is at an intersection with NC 27 east of Lincolnton and its eastern terminus is at a junction with US 15/US 501 in Eastwood.
The Yadkin–Pee Dee River Basin is a large river basin in the eastern United States, covering around 7,221 square miles, making it the second largest in the state of North Carolina. Its headwaters rise near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and the basin drains to the Atlantic Ocean in Winyah Bay, east of Georgetown, South Carolina.
Eldorado Township, population 1,873, is one of eleven townships in Montgomery County, North Carolina, United States. Eldorado Township is 48.97 square miles (126.8 km2) in size and is located in the northwestern corner of the county.