Harnett County

Harnett County
County	Harnett County
State	North Carolina
Founded	1855
Seat	Lillington
Largest city	Dunn
Area total sq mi	601
Area land sq mi	595
Area water sq mi	5.6
Population as of	2020
Population total	133,568
Population density sq mi	224.5
Time zone	Eastern
Web	www.harnett.org
Named for	Cornelius Harnett

Harnett County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of North Carolina. It was formed in 1855 from land taken from neighboring Cumberland County and named for Cornelius Harnett, a revolutionary patriot and delegate to the Continental Congress. The county seat is Lillington, while its largest municipality is the city of Dunn. The county is part of the Research Triangle region and is anchored by the presence of Fort Liberty, one of the largest United States Army installations in the world.

History

The area was originally inhabited by various Siouan-speaking tribes, including the Cape Fear Indians. European settlement began in the mid-18th century, primarily by Scotch-Irish and English immigrants moving inland from the Coastal Plain. The county's creation was authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly and it officially began operations in 1855. During the American Civil War, the region was the site of several minor engagements, most notably the 1865 Battle of Averasboro, a delaying action fought by Confederate States Army forces under William J. Hardee against the advancing Union Army commanded by William T. Sherman. In the 20th century, the establishment of Camp Bragg in 1918, which later became Fort Bragg and now Fort Liberty, dramatically transformed the local economy and population.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 601 square miles, of which 595 square miles is land and 5.6 square miles is water. It is situated in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region, with the Cape Fear River forming its eastern boundary. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and pine forests, with significant waterways including the Black River and Little River. It is bordered by Johnston County to the northeast, Sampson County to the southeast, Cumberland County to the south, Moore County to the west, Wake County to the north, and Lee County to the northwest.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 133,568 people residing in the county. The racial makeup was approximately 64.5% White, 22.5% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian, 1.2% American Indian, and 7.2% identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race. The population density was about 224.5 people per square mile. The median household income was $54,167, and 15.2% of the population lived below the poverty line. A significant portion of the population has ties to the military due to Fort Liberty.

Government and politics

The county is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners elected on a partisan basis to four-year staggered terms. Other elected officials include the Sheriff, Clerk of Superior Court, and Register of Deeds. Harnett County is part of the North Carolina's 9th congressional district for the U.S. House and is represented in the North Carolina Senate and North Carolina House of Representatives. Politically, it has trended Republican in recent federal and statewide elections, though local elections can be competitive.

Economy

The economy is heavily influenced by the presence of Fort Liberty, which is the county's largest employer. Major private sector employers include Pfizer, which operates a large pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, and Butterball, a major turkey processor. Agriculture remains important, with the county being a leading producer of tobacco, sweet potatoes, soybeans, and poultry. The Research Triangle Park region to the north also provides employment opportunities in technology and research for residents. Retail and service industries are concentrated in Dunn and Angier.

Education

Public education is administered by Harnett County Schools, which operates numerous elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to Campbell University, a private university in Buies Creek founded in 1887, which includes the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and the School of Osteopathic Medicine. Central Carolina Community College has a campus in Lillington that provides vocational and technical training. Several private K–12 schools, including Harrells Christian Academy, also serve the area.

Communities

* Cities: Dunn, Erwin * Towns: Angier, Coats, Lillington (county seat), Mamers * Census-designated places: Anderson Creek, Buies Creek, Bunnlevel, Johnsonville, Olivia * Unincorporated communities: Barclaysville, Duncan, Hector's Creek, Kipling, Mingo, Overhills, Pineview, Raven Rock, Spout Springs * Townships: Anderson Creek, Averasboro, Barbecue, Black River, Buckhorn, Duke, Grove, Hectors Creek, Johnsonville, Lillington, Neills Creek, Stewarts Creek, Upper Little River

Category:Harnett County, North Carolina Category:1855 establishments in North Carolina