Randolph County, North Carolina

Randolph County
County
Randolph County Courthouse and Confederate Monument
Flag Seal Logo
Motto:  "Serving with Heart from the Heart of North Carolina"
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°43′N79°49′W / 35.71°N 79.81°W / 35.71; -79.81
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
Founded	1779
Named for	Peyton Randolph
Seat	Asheboro
Largest community	Asheboro
Area
• Total	790.01 sq mi (2,046.1 km2)
• Land	782.38 sq mi (2,026.4 km2)
• Water	7.63 sq mi (19.8 km2)  0.97%
Population  (2020)
• Total	144,171
• Estimate  (2023)	147,458
• Density	184.27/sq mi (71.15/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	9th
Website	www.randolphcountync.gov

Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 144,171. ^[1] Its county seat is Asheboro. ^[2]

Randolph County is included in the Greensboro-High Point, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greensboro–Winston-Salem–High Point, NC Combined Statistical Area.

In 2020, the center of population of North Carolina was located in Randolph County, east of Seagrove. ^[3]

History

The area which eventually became known as Randolph county was originally inhabited by Siouan Native Americans including Saponi and Keyauwee. In the 1700s, European settlers moved into the area, namely Germans, Scotch-Irish, and English, some of whom were Quakers and Moravians. ^[4] The Legislature of 1779, then sitting at Halifax, passed an act providing for the formation of a new county from parts of Guilford and Rowan, to be called Randolph. ^[5] It was named for Peyton Randolph, first president of the Continental Congress. ^[6]

In the antebellum period, Randolph County was economically poor and characterized by smallholding farmers. ^[7]

The outbreak of the American Civil War caused division in the county. Many resident Quakers were pacifists and opposed to the war, while poorer conscripts resented being detailed to the frontlines while wealthier militia officers were frequently exempted from such service, leading to many refusing to muster out. ^[8] In the 1864 gubernatorial election, Randolph was one of only three counties in the state to supply a majority of its votes to William Woods Holden, who was running on a peace platform. ^[9] A substantial number of men drafted to serve in the Confederate Army from Randolph deserted and were kept hidden with assistance of the anti-Confederate Heroes of America, leading the state government to order operations in 1863 to detain them. ^[10] The activity of deserters was curtailed by late 1864, though it increased in early 1865, with widespread reports of theft and robbery. ^[11] Many local members of the Confederate Home Guard grew fearful of enforcing conscription, and some of the body's leaders doubted their subordinates' loyalty. ^[12] To ease tensions, the state government dispatched 600 troops to the county in March and offered terms to the deserters. ^[13]

After the war, the county's government became dominated by men who had supported the Union, and some used their new positions of power to enact revenge on those who had enforced the conscription law. ^[14] Between 1868 and 1872, the white supremacist and reactionary Ku Klux Klan was active throughout much of North Carolina's Piedmont counties, including Randolph. ^[15] Despite the Klan's activity, most whites in Randolph remained supportive of the Republican Party. ^[16]

Randolph's textile industry expanded after the war with the establishment of new mills along the Deep River. ^[17]

In 1911, a new county called Piedmont County was proposed, with High Point as its county seat, to be created from Guilford, Davidson, and Randolph counties. Many people appeared at the Guilford County courthouse to oppose the plan, vowing to go to the state legislature to protest. The state legislature voted down the plan in February 1911. ^{[18] [19]}

Geography

Interactive map of Randolph County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 790.01 square miles (2,046.1 km²), of which 782.38 square miles (2,026.4 km²) is land and 7.63 square miles (19.8 km²) (0.97%) is water. ^[20] It is bordered by Guilford County, Alamance County, Chatham County, Moore County, Montgomery County, and Davidson County. ^[21]

Randolph County is located in the center of North Carolina, and the city of Asheboro (in the county) is the center point of North Carolina. Randolph County is located in the Piedmont section of central North Carolina, generally a region of gently rolling hills and woodlands. The central and western parts of the county contain the Uwharrie Mountains and the Caraway Mountains. These two ranges are the remnants of a much-higher range of ancient peaks. Today, they rarely top 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level, yet due to the relative low terrain around them, they still rise 200–500 feet (61–152 m) above their base.

The highest point in Randolph County is Shepherd Mountain, a peak in the Caraways. The North Carolina Zoo is located atop Purgatory Mountain, one of the peaks of the Uwharries.

National protected area

• Birkhead Mountains Wilderness
• Uwharrie National Forest

State and local protected areas/sites

• North Carolina Zoo
• Pisgah Covered Bridge
• Uwharrie Game Land (part) ^[22]

Major water bodies

• Back Creek
• Bush Creek
• Caraway Creek
• Deep River
• Little Caraway Creek
• Little River
• Little Uwharrie River
• Randleman Lake
• Reed Creek
• Rocky River
• Toms Creek
• Uwharrie River

Major highways

• I-73
• I-74
• I-85
• 
  Future I-685
• US 29
• US 64
• 
  US 64 Bus.
• US 70
• US 220
• 
  US 220 Alt.
• 
  US 220 Bus.
• US 311
• US 421
• NC 22
• NC 42
• NC 47
• NC 49
• NC 62
• NC 109
• NC 134
• NC 159
• 
  NC 159 Spur (spur route)
• NC 705

Major infrastructure

• Asheboro Regional Airport

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	7,318		—
1800	9,234		26.2%
1810	10,112		9.5%
1820	11,331		12.1%
1830	12,406		9.5%
1840	12,875		3.8%
1850	15,832		23.0%
1860	16,793		6.1%
1870	17,551		4.5%
1880	20,836		18.7%
1890	25,195		20.9%
1900	28,232		12.1%
1910	29,491		4.5%
1920	30,856		4.6%
1930	36,259		17.5%
1940	44,554		22.9%
1950	50,804		14.0%
1960	61,497		21.0%
1970	76,358		24.2%
1980	91,728		20.1%
1990	106,546		16.2%
2000	130,454		22.4%
2010	141,752		8.7%
2020	144,171		1.7%
2023 (est.)	147,458	[1]	2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [23] 1790–1960 [24] 1900–1990 [25] 1990–2000 [26] 2010 [27] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Randolph County racial composition ^[28]

Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	108,354	75.16%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	8,592	5.96%
Native American	666	0.46%
Asian	2,158	1.5%
Pacific Islander	10	0.01%
Other/Mixed	5,340	3.7%
Hispanic or Latino	19,051	13.21%

As of the 2020 census, there were 144,171 people, 56,117 households, and 37,795 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[29] 130,454 people, 50,659 households, and 37,335 families resided in the county. The population density was 166 people per square mile (64 people/km²). The 54,422 housing units averaged 69 units per square mile (27 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.20% White, 5.63% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. About 6.63% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As with much of North Carolina, the Latino population of Randolph County continued to grow into the 21st century. In 2005, figures placed the Latino population as 9.3% of the county's total.

In 2000, of the 50,659 households, 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.10% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were not families. About 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was distributed as 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 31.30% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,348, and for a family was $44,369. Males had a median income of $30,575 versus $22,503 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,236. About 6.80% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 11.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Government

Randolph County operates under a commissioner–manager form of government. It is governed by a five-member board of commissioners, with each commissioner elected in partisan contests at-large to serve a four-year term. The commissioners adopt county policy, create the county's budget, and hire the county manager. The manager oversees the administration of county government and implements the commissioners' policies. ^[21]

Randolph County is a member of the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments, a regional voluntary association of 12 counties. ^[30]

Randolph County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 37th Prosecutorial District, the 19B Superior Court District, and the 19B District Court District. ^[31]

Politics

Historical presidential election returns

United States presidential election results for Randolph County, North Carolina [32] Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies) No.  % No.  % No.  % 2024 59,357 78.09% 15,951 20.99% 700 0.92% 2020 56,894 77.60% 15,618 21.30% 804 1.10% 2016 49,430 76.55% 13,194 20.43% 1,951 3.02% 2012 45,160 74.38% 14,773 24.33% 782 1.29% 2008 40,998 70.51% 16,414 28.23% 735 1.26% 2004 37,771 74.19% 12,966 25.47% 173 0.34% 2000 30,959 72.51% 11,366 26.62% 371 0.87% 1996 23,030 61.36% 10,783 28.73% 3,722 9.92% 1992 20,697 53.20% 11,274 28.98% 6,931 17.82% 1988 23,881 73.32% 8,641 26.53% 49 0.15% 1984 25,759 77.36% 7,511 22.56% 29 0.09% 1980 19,881 64.72% 10,107 32.90% 729 2.37% 1976 14,337 52.72% 12,714 46.75% 146 0.54% 1972 18,724 76.02% 5,346 21.71% 559 2.27% 1968 13,450 52.35% 5,351 20.83% 6,892 26.82% 1964 13,739 56.36% 10,638 43.64% 0 0.00% 1960 15,772 61.70% 9,789 38.30% 0 0.00% 1956 13,174 61.05% 8,404 38.95% 0 0.00% 1952 12,429 58.07% 8,975 41.93% 0 0.00% 1948 8,372 53.39% 6,567 41.88% 743 4.74% 1944 8,768 54.65% 7,277 45.35% 0 0.00% 1940 7,056 45.49% 8,455 54.51% 0 0.00% 1936 6,927 46.13% 8,090 53.87% 0 0.00% 1932 6,072 45.00% 7,345 54.44% 75 0.56% 1928 7,414 63.90% 4,188 36.10% 0 0.00% 1924 6,336 53.89% 5,397 45.90% 24 0.20% 1920 6,297 55.20% 5,110 44.80% 0 0.00% 1916 3,031 52.43% 2,747 47.52% 3 0.05% 1912 370 7.63% 2,665 54.95% 1,815 37.42% 1908 2,676 51.98% 2,472 48.02% 0 0.00% 1904 1,808 43.43% 2,334 56.07% 21 0.50% 1900 2,487 52.04% 2,264 47.37% 28 0.59% 1896 2,743 51.47% 2,482 46.58% 104 1.95% 1892 1,883 39.09% 2,077 43.12% 857 17.79% 1888 2,339 49.53% 2,121 44.92% 262 5.55% 1884 1,890 46.90% 1,968 48.83% 172 4.27% 1880 1,811 47.46% 2,005 52.54% 0 0.00%

Politically, Randolph County is the massive outlier in North Carolina. The county is one of the most Republican-dominated counties in the state. ^[33] The Republican dominance dates back to the Solid South era; it has supported the Republican presidential candidate in all but three elections since 1916. No Democratic presidential nominee has carried the county since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940, and Jimmy Carter is the last Democrat to even tally 40 percent of the county's vote. In 1964, it was one of only 13 counties in the state to vote for Barry Goldwater, and the easternmost county in the state to do so. Republican dominance at the local level is extremely absolute that in some cases, Republican candidates and incumbents run unopposed.

Economy

Randolph's economy is largely based in manufacturing. ^[33] In its 2024 county economic tier ratings, the North Carolina Department of Commerce classified the county as a tier two county. ^[34]

Education

Randolph County School System serves most of the county. The city of Asheboro is managed separately by Asheboro City Schools.

Fayetteville Street Christian School, located in Asheboro, is the largest private school in Randolph County. ^[35]

Culture

Pottery-making has long been popular in the Seagrove area of Randolph County, and is annually celebrated in the Seagrove Pottery Festival. ^[36]

Communities

Map of Randolph County with municipal and township labels

Cities

• Archdale (part)
• Asheboro (county seat and largest community)
• High Point (part)
• Randleman
• Thomasville (part)
• Trinity

Towns

• Franklinville
• Liberty
• Ramseur
• Seagrove
• Staley

Townships

• Asheboro
• Archdale
• Back Creek
• Brower
• Cedar Grove
• Coleridge
• Columbia
• Concord
• Farmer
• Franklinville
• Grant
• Level Cross
• Liberty
• New Hope
• New Market
• Pleasant Grove
• Providence
• Randleman
• Richland
• Tabernacle
• Trinity
• Union

Unincorporated communities

• Cedar Grove
• Climax
• Coleridge
• Erect
• Farmer
• Level Cross
• Pisgah
• Sophia
• Ulah
• Whynot

Notable people

• Sam Ard, NASCAR driver
• Jerry Bledsoe, author
• Heidi N Closet, drag queen
• Braxton Craven, educator and second president of Duke University
• Heaven Fitch, wrestler
• Rufus Hussey, marksman
• Henderson Luelling, Quaker abolitionist, horticulturist
• Gideon Morris, trans-Appalachian pioneer and founder of Morristown, Tennessee
• Adam Petty, NASCAR driver
• Kyle Petty, NASCAR driver
• Lee Petty, NASCAR pioneer
• Richard Petty, NASCAR driver
• Naomi Wise, murder victim
• Jonathan Worth, former Governor of North Carolina (1865–1868)

See also

• List of counties in North Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Randolph County, North Carolina

References

1. "QuickFacts: Randolph County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "2020 Centers of Population by State". United States Census Bureau. November 16, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
4. Mazzocchi, Jay (2006). "Randolph County". NCPedia. North Carolina Government & Heritage Library. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
5. Reminiscences of Randolph County, author: J.A. Blair (1890)
6. Corbitt 2000, p. 179.
7. Escott 1985, p. 12.
8. Escott 1985, pp. 71–72.
9. Escott 1985, p. 88.
10. Escott 1985, pp. 44, 67–68.
11. Escott 1985, p. 69.
12. Escott 1985, pp. 79–80.
13. Escott 1985, p. 80.
14. Escott 1985, pp. 92, 94–95, 139.
15. Escott 1985, p. 154.
16. Escott 1985, p. 158.
17. Escott 1985, pp. 198–199, 217.
18. Jack Scism, "Remember When?", Greensboro News & Record, January 23, 2011.
19. Jack Scism, "Remember When?", Greensboro News & Record, February 6, 2011.
20. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
21. "About Us". Randolph County, North Carolina. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
22. "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
23. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
24. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
25. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
26. "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 19, 2015.
27. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
28. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
29. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
30. "About Us". Piedmont Triad Council of Governments. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
31. "Randolph County". North Carolina Judicial Branch. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
32. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
33. "Anatomy of a swing state: What these 6 counties tell us about the upcoming NC election". The Charlotte Observer. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
34. Skinner, Victor (December 1, 2023). "Edgecombe most distressed, Currituck the least in new tier designations". The Center Square. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
35. "Fayetteville Street Christian School". www.fscspatriots.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
36. Kemp, Amy (2017). "State Birthplace of North Carolina Traditional Pottery: Seagrove Area". NCPedia. North Carolina Government & Heritage Library. Retrieved October 14, 2023.

Works cited

• Corbitt, David Leroy (2000). The formation of the North Carolina counties, 1663-1943 (reprint ed.). Raleigh: North Carolina Division of Archives and History. OCLC   46398241.
• Escott, Paul D. (1985). Many Excellent People : Power and Privilege in North Carolina, 1850-1900. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN   978-0-8078-1651-6.

External links

• Geographic data related to Randolph County, North Carolina at OpenStreetMap
• Official website
• NCGenWeb Randolph County, genealogy resources for the county