Lee County, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: "Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow" | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNorth Carolina | |
| Coordinates:35°29′N79°10′W / 35.48°N 79.17°W /35.48; -79.17 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| Founded | April 1, 1908 |
| Named after | Robert E. Lee |
| Seat | Sanford |
| Largest community | Sanford |
| Area | |
• Total | 259.20 sq mi (671.3 km2) |
| • Land | 255.06 sq mi (660.6 km2) |
| • Water | 4.14 sq mi (10.7 km2) 1.60% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 63,285 |
• Estimate (2024) | 68,537 |
| • Density | 281.2/sq mi (108.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 13th |
| Website | www |
Lee County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofNorth Carolina. As of the2020 census, the population was 63,285.[1] Thecounty seat isSanford.[2]
Lee County comprises the Sanford, NCMicropolitan Statistical Area, which is a part of theRaleigh-Durham-Cary, NCCombined Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 2,368,947 in 2023.[3][4]
The nature of Native American habitation of the land eventually comprising Lee County is not well known. People of European and African descent settled in the area in the 1740s and 1750s.[5] In the 1850s, the state's first commercial coal mine opened in the community ofEgypt.[5][6] During the American Civil War, the area supplied coal and iron to the forces of theConfederate States of America.[6][7]
In 1907, residents of the city of Sanford ofMoore County beginning pushing for the creation of a new county to ease the burden of their travel to Moore's seat ofCarthage.[5] The North Carolina General Assembly passed a law creating Lee County from portions of Moore andChatham counties effective April 1, 1908 pending ratification in a plebiscite by the people living in the proposed county.[8] The referendum was held on July 1, with voters approving the new county 875 to 40.[9] County officials were installed on February 17, 1908.[10][11] The county courthouse was erected on a site between Sanford and Jonesboro and occupied by county officers in early March 1909.[12][13]
Lee County's population and economy steadily grew after its creation, fueled by the success of tobacco, furniture, quarrying, brickmaking, and textile industries. In 1947, the cities of Sanford and Jonesboro merged.[5]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 259.20 square miles (671.3 km2), of which 255.06 square miles (660.6 km2) is land and 4.14 square miles (10.7 km2) (1.60%) is water.[14]
Future I-685
US 1 (runs from Key West, FL to Fort Kent, ME)
US 15 (runs from Walterboro, SC to Painted Post, NY)
US 421 (runs from Fort Fisher, NC to Michigan City, IN)
US 421 Bus.
US 501 (runs from Myrtle Beach, SC to Buena Vista, VA)
NC 42
NC 78
NC 87
NC 87 Byp.| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 11,376 | — | |
| 1920 | 13,400 | 17.8% | |
| 1930 | 16,996 | 26.8% | |
| 1940 | 18,743 | 10.3% | |
| 1950 | 23,522 | 25.5% | |
| 1960 | 26,561 | 12.9% | |
| 1970 | 30,467 | 14.7% | |
| 1980 | 36,718 | 20.5% | |
| 1990 | 41,374 | 12.7% | |
| 2000 | 49,040 | 18.5% | |
| 2010 | 57,866 | 18.0% | |
| 2020 | 63,285 | 9.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 68,537 | [16] | 8.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] 1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19] 1990–2000[20] 2010[21] 2020[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[22] | Pop 2010[23] | Pop 2020[24] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 32,467 | 34,321 | 36,055 | 66.20% | 59.31% | 56.97% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 9,982 | 11,369 | 10,701 | 20.35% | 19.65% | 16.91% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 180 | 253 | 231 | 0.37% | 0.44% | 0.37% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 323 | 475 | 643 | 0.66% | 0.82% | 1.02% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 18 | 13 | 43 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.07% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 45 | 80 | 227 | 0.09% | 0.14% | 0.36% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 310 | 779 | 2,263 | 0.63% | 1.35% | 3.58% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5,715 | 10,576 | 13,122 | 11.65% | 18.28% | 20.73% |
| Total | 49,040 | 57,866 | 63,285 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 63,285, a median age of 40.1 years, 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.[25]
There were 24,575 households in the county, including 15,223 families; 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.1% were married-couple households, 17.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[25]
The racial makeup of the county was 60.7%White, 17.2%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Asian, 0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 11.7% from some other race, and 8.4% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 20.7% of the population.[26]
57.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 42.1% lived in rural areas.[27]
There were 26,583 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.1% were owner-occupied and 32.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%.[25]
At the2000 census,[28] there were 49,040 people, 18,466 households, and 13,369 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 191 people per square mile (74 people/km2). There were 19,909 housing units at an average density of 77 units per square mile (30 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.03%White, 20.46%Black orAfrican American, 0.42%Native American, 0.67%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 7.33% fromother races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 11.65% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. By 2005 14.2% of the County population was Latino. 20.2% of the population was African-American. 64.2% of the population was non-Hispanic whites.
In 2000 there were 18,466 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% weremarried couples living together, 13.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% 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 3.05. In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males. The median income for a household in the county was $38,900, and the median income for a family was $45,373. Males had a median income of $32,780 versus $23,660 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $19,147. About 9.80% of families and 12.80% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.
Lee County has experienced consistent population growth in the 21st century, reflecting broader demographic and economic changes in the region. The county’s population increased from 49,040 in the 2000 United States Census to 63,285 in 2020, with recent estimates placing the population at more than 67,000 residents. Much of this growth is associated with expanding employment opportunities, residential development, and the county’s proximity to larger job markets in North Carolina. The rising population has also contributed to increased racial and ethnic diversity, indicating ongoing shifts in the county’s social and demographic composition.
Lee is a typical "Solid South" county in terms of voting patterns. From its first election in 1908 it voted Democratic by large margins until 1968, except in the 1928 election when anti-Prohibition CatholicAl Smith held the county by single digits. In 1968, Lee's Democratic streak was broken when its electorate chose the American Independent candidateGeorge Wallace. After 1972, Lee has voted Republican in every election except forJimmy Carter's two elections in 1976 and 1980.[citation needed] As of 2022, 60.4 percent of the population is registered to vote.[29]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 451 | 32.85% | 862 | 62.78% | 60 | 4.37% |
| 1916 | 573 | 35.22% | 1,054 | 64.78% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 1,143 | 32.94% | 2,327 | 67.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 710 | 27.80% | 1,834 | 71.81% | 10 | 0.39% |
| 1928 | 1,416 | 45.23% | 1,715 | 54.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 681 | 18.15% | 3,058 | 81.50% | 13 | 0.35% |
| 1936 | 670 | 15.25% | 3,723 | 84.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 527 | 12.52% | 3,682 | 87.48% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 808 | 18.98% | 3,448 | 81.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 871 | 20.03% | 3,234 | 74.38% | 243 | 5.59% |
| 1952 | 2,105 | 30.99% | 4,688 | 69.01% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,948 | 31.88% | 4,163 | 68.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 2,563 | 35.42% | 4,673 | 64.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,753 | 36.79% | 4,730 | 63.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,586 | 29.32% | 2,524 | 28.61% | 3,711 | 42.07% |
| 1972 | 5,836 | 72.71% | 2,024 | 25.22% | 166 | 2.07% |
| 1976 | 3,691 | 41.80% | 5,104 | 57.80% | 36 | 0.41% |
| 1980 | 4,847 | 45.84% | 5,426 | 51.31% | 301 | 2.85% |
| 1984 | 8,198 | 67.47% | 3,925 | 32.30% | 28 | 0.23% |
| 1988 | 7,104 | 62.47% | 4,231 | 37.21% | 36 | 0.32% |
| 1992 | 6,658 | 45.42% | 5,852 | 39.92% | 2,149 | 14.66% |
| 1996 | 7,321 | 50.04% | 6,290 | 42.99% | 1,019 | 6.97% |
| 2000 | 9,406 | 57.77% | 6,785 | 41.67% | 92 | 0.57% |
| 2004 | 11,834 | 60.55% | 7,657 | 39.18% | 52 | 0.27% |
| 2008 | 12,775 | 53.70% | 10,784 | 45.33% | 229 | 0.96% |
| 2012 | 13,158 | 54.28% | 10,801 | 44.56% | 280 | 1.16% |
| 2016 | 13,712 | 54.66% | 10,469 | 41.74% | 903 | 3.60% |
| 2020 | 16,469 | 56.77% | 12,143 | 41.86% | 396 | 1.37% |
| 2024 | 17,489 | 58.14% | 12,245 | 40.71% | 347 | 1.15% |
Lee County is a member of the regionalTriangle J Council of Governments. The county is governed by a seven-member board of County Commissioners, elected at large to serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that, every two years, three or four Commissioners are up for election. The Commissioners enact policies such as establishment of the property tax rate, regulation of land use and zoning outside municipal jurisdictions, and adoption of the annual budget. Commissioners usually meet on the first and third Mondays of each month.[citation needed] The commissioners appoint a county manager to oversee regular administrative activity of the county government.[31] The commissioners also appoint a county attorney to advise the board on legal matters.[32]
Lee County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 12th Prosecutorial District, the 12thSuperior Court District, and the 12thDistrict Court District.[33]
The county is divided into seventownships, which are both numbered and named:
There is one school district,Lee County Schools.[34]
Geographic data related toLee County, North Carolina atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Lee County, North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||
Municipalities and communities ofLee County, North Carolina,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| City |  | |
| Town | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
