According to Educationvv, Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Lenoir, and its largest city is Hickory. As of 2019, Caldwell County had an estimated population of 83,323.
Caldwell County was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke and Wilkes counties and was named after Joseph Caldwell, a prominent professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and president from 1796 to 1797. The county covers 437 square miles and has a diverse landscape that includes rolling hills, wooded areas, rivers, lakes, and mountains.
The economy of Caldwell County is largely based on manufacturing, with major employers in the area including Corning Incorporated (glass manufacturing), Broyhill Furniture Industries (furniture manufacturing), CommScope (communications technology) and Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems (brake systems). Agriculture also plays an important role in the county’s economy with tobacco being one of its main crops.
The education system in Caldwell County consists of six public school districts: Granite Falls Elementary School District, Hudson Elementary School District, Lenoir City Schools District, Oak Hill Elementary School District, Sawmills Elementary School District and South Caldwell High School District. There are also several private schools located throughout the county as well as numerous colleges and universities nearby including Appalachian State University (Boone), Catawba Valley Community College (Hickory) and Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs).
Caldwell County offers plenty for visitors to explore as well. From outdoor activities like fishing, camping or hiking to cultural attractions such as museums or historic sites like Fort Defiance or Grandfather Mountain State Park there are plenty of things to do here year round. Other popular attractions include Hickory Motor Speedway for racing fans or Tweetsie Railroad for a unique family experience.
In short, Caldwell County is a great place to live or visit. With its diverse landscape ranging from mountains to riverside areas, there’s something for everyone here. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities or cultural attractions this area has it all.
History of Caldwell County, North Carolina
Caldwell County, located in western North Carolina, was formed in 1841 from parts of Burke and Wilkes counties. It was named after Joseph Caldwell, the first president of the University of North Carolina. The county is home to many small towns and communities including Lenoir, Granite Falls, Sawmills, Hudson, and Collettsville. The county seat is Lenoir which was originally called Mintonville after an early settler.
The population of Caldwell County has grown steadily since its formation. In 1850 it had a population of 11,908 people which increased to 28,479 in 1900 and 75,923 in 2010. Agriculture has served as the mainstay for the county economy since its formation with tobacco being a large part of the crop mix until it began to decline in the mid-1900s. Today, agriculture still plays an important role but manufacturing has become increasingly important over time with furniture production being a major industry.
Caldwell County has been home to several notable individuals including author Thomas Wolfe who wrote his classic novel “Look Homeward Angel” while living here; NASCAR driver Junior Johnson who grew up on a farm near Ronda; and educator Dr. John Cotten who served as president of Appalachian State University for twenty-two years starting in 1929. The county is also known for its rich musical heritage with many popular bluegrass musicians having roots here including Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson both born in nearby Deep Gap.
Major cities and towns in Caldwell County, North Carolina
Caldwell County is home to several major cities and towns, the largest of which is Lenoir, the county seat. This city was originally called Mintonville after an early settler but was renamed after Revolutionary War hero William Lenoir in 1841. Today, it is a bustling city with a population of over 18,000 and is home to many businesses, restaurants, and attractions.
Granite Falls is the second largest town in the county with a population of over 4,000. This small town was founded in 1884 as an industrial center for granite quarrying and cotton milling and today continues to be a vibrant community with many shops, restaurants, and events for locals to enjoy.
Sawmills is another town located in Caldwell County which has seen its population steadily grow from 1,677 people in 2000 to 2,463 in 2010. This small town was named after its first sawmill which operated here during the mid-1800s and today it is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails at South Mountains State Park just outside of town.
Hudson is another small town located just north of Lenoir with a population of 1,748 people according to the 2010 census. It was first settled around 1790 by Revolutionary War veteran Captain Thomas Hudson who gave his namesake to the area. Today, it offers many amenities such as shops, restaurants, parks, schools and more that make it a great place to live or visit.
Lastly, Collettsville is one of Caldwell County’s most historic towns with a population of just 711 people according to 2010 census data. It was established sometime before 1840 as an agricultural community but has since become primarily residential due mainly to its close proximity to larger cities like Lenoir or Granite Falls. Despite its size, Collettsville still has much to offer including scenic views from nearby Grandfather Mountain State Park as well as access to several rivers perfect for fishing or kayaking trips.
Airports in Caldwell County, North Carolina
According to countryaah.com, Caldwell County, North Carolina is home to a wide range of airports, providing travelers with convenient access to the area. These airports are located in Lenoir, Granite Falls, Sawmills, Hudson and Collettsville, making it easy for both locals and visitors alike to get around the county.
Lenoir Municipal Airport (KLHZ) is located three miles south of Lenoir and serves as the main airport for Caldwell County. It features a 5,000-foot asphalt runway and has been in operation since 1948. The airport offers a full range of services including aircraft refueling, repair services and flight instruction as well as charter flights to nearby cities such as Charlotte or Asheville.
Granite Falls Municipal Airport (KGEV) is located four miles east of Granite Falls and offers a 5,000-foot asphalt runway with instrument approaches available for most aircraft. The airport offers a variety of services including aircraft refueling and repair services as well as flight instruction and charter flights to nearby cities like Charlotte or Raleigh.
Sawmills Airport (KSVH) is located two miles east of Sawmills and features a 5,000-foot asphalt runway with instrument approaches available for most aircraft. The airport offers fuel sales along with flight instruction services but does not offer any charter flights at this time.
Hudson Airport (KHUJ) is located one mile south of Hudson and features an asphalt runway that stretches 4,500 feet long with instrument approaches available for most aircraft. The airport offers fuel sales along with flight instruction services but does not offer any charter flights at this time either.
Lastly, Collettsville Airport (KCQW) is located two miles south of Collettsville and features an asphalt runway that stretches 4,000 feet long with instrument approaches available for most aircraft. This airport also offers fuel sales along with flight instruction services but does not offer any charter flights at this time either.
Each of these airports provides convenient access to Caldwell County’s major cities allowing visitors to easily explore all that the area has to offer without having to drive long distances or rely on public transportation options such as buses or trains. With so many options available travelers can pick whichever airport best suits their needs when coming in or out of Caldwell County making it easier than ever before to experience everything that North Carolina has to offer.
