Craven County, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 Craven County Courthouse in New Bern | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNorth Carolina | |
 Interactive map of Craven County, North Carolina | |
| Coordinates:35°07′N77°05′W / 35.12°N 77.08°W /35.12; -77.08 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  North Carolina |
| Founded | 1712 |
| Named after | William, Earl of Craven |
| Seat | New Bern |
| Largest community | New Bern |
| Area | |
• Total | 773.28 sq mi (2,002.8 km2) |
| • Land | 706.57 sq mi (1,830.0 km2) |
| • Water | 66.71 sq mi (172.8 km2) 8.63% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 100,720 |
• Estimate (2024) | 104,167 |
| • Density | 142.55/sq mi (55.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
Craven County is acounty located in the U.S. state ofNorth Carolina. As of the2020 census, the population was 100,720.[1] Itscounty seat isNew Bern.[2] The county was created in 1705 as Archdale Precinct from the now-extinctBath County. It was renamed Craven Precinct in 1712 and gained county status in 1739.[3][4] It is named forWilliam, Earl of Craven, who lived from 1606 to 1697. Craven County is part of theNew Bern, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.[5]
On August 4, 1661,George Durant purchased land from Cisketando, king of the Yeopim Indian tribe. On March 13, 1662, a second purchase was made from Kilcocanen, another Yeopim. By 1662 Durant was living in Virginia on a tract of land along thePerquimans River which flows intoAlbemarle Sound, which became part of the Carolina colony in 1665.[6]
The land eventually constituting Craven was first organized as a portion ofBath County. On December 3, 1705, a portion of Bath was split off to form the new Archdale County. In about 1712 it was renamed Craven County. According to historian William S. Powell, it was most likely named in honor of William, Lord Craven alord proprietor of the Carolina colony who died the previous year. Others state that the county was named for William's great uncle,William, Earl of Craven, who was one of the original eight lords proprietor of the colony, or the Lord Craven's son, also William, Lord Craven, who was actively serving as a lord proprietor at the time the county's name was changed.[7] In 1722 a portion of Craven was split off to formCarteret County.[8]New Hanover County andJohnston County were formed from Craven in 1729 and 1746, respectively.[9] Craven's borders were altered and redrawn several times between 1757 and 1852.[10]
During the initial years of colonization, the population of Craven County was sparse and grew slowly. By 1740, however, the town of New Bern began growing rapidly and became the seat for the Governorship.[11] John Carter served as the first sheriff of Craven County, but died in 1740 in the line of duty, when ambushed by an outlaw he was trying to apprehend. In 1746 an act was passed establishing New Bern as the capital of the province and, although the act was later repealed, the General Court met at New Bern in Craven County after 1747.[12][13]
In 1749James Davis, the colony's first printer, arrived at New Bern and became the official printer for the North Carolina Assembly.[14] In 1751, Davis established and began printing theNorth Carolina Gazette, North Carolina's first newspaper.[15] In 1754, he was elected Sheriff of Craven County.[16]
Craven developed an economy centered around agriculture, timber and turpentine, small manufacturing, and commerce emanating from the port of New Bern.[17] Various fruits and vegetables were among the most popular crops, with cotton production declining in popularity after adverse weather conditions in 1821. Some cattle was also kept in the county.[18] Commercial fishing became more common in the late 1840s, while shipbuilding declined later in the Antebellum period.[19] Slaves served as a key labor force in the local economy, though unlike other eastern counties in the state, which had overwhelmingly rural slave populations, almost 40 percent of Craven's slaves were kept in New Bern.[20]
ThePanic of 1819 heavily impacted the county and triggered a two decade-long period of economic contraction.[21] Railroad service was introduced in the 1850s.[22] The population rose from 13,394 in 1820 to 16,268 by 1860, though poverty remained a problem and many born in the country migrated elsewhere in search of better economic prospects.[23] Despite the difficulties, Craven remained a center of political and social activity in the state and New Bern remained one of the largest cities in North Carolina throughout the antebellum period.[24]
Following North Carolina's secession from the United States and entrance into theAmerican Civil War on the side of theConfederate States of America in 1861, New Bern became a center for Confederate political and military activity.[25] By March 1862, the white men of the county had formed nine permanent companies of troops and three temporary ones. Some of these forces served throughout the entire war's duration.[26] TheBattle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries in August 1861 gave United States forces a foothold in eastern North Carolina and provoked the flight of women and children from New Bern.[27]
The county's economy was heavily impacted by the Civil War with the depletion of livestock, damage of property, and the emancipation of slaves.[28] Most food crop production also suffered, though cotton, tobacco, and rice yields increased. Lumber and naval stores industries persisted, though somewhat weakened. The conclusion of the conflict led to regained confidence in economic activity. The shipping industry in New Bern grew and several new businesses, including a bank, were established.[29] Some black freedmen were assigned work by federal troops or enrolled into Freedmen's Bureau schools.[30] Most of the rest found unskilled work in the local farming, fishing, and turpentine industries. Those that entered skilled labor professions were faced with a rivalry from white contemporaries.[31]
The advent ofCongressional Reconstruction in 1867 and 1868 led to profound political changes in Craven County.[32] GeneralEdward Canby, the commander of theSecond Military District, replaced New Bern's municipal government and also chose the county's sheriff. Following registration efforts, black voters outnumbered whites in the county, and remained a majority of the electorate until the end of the century.[33] Together with local whites who had held Unionist sympathies before the war and recently arrivedcarpetbaggers, they constituted a strong base for theRepublican Party.[34] In the returns for the 1868 elections, Republicans' margin of victory was the second largest among the counties in the state.[35] A portion of Craven was annexed to the newPamlico County in 1872.[36]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 773.28 square miles (2,002.8 km2), of which 706.57 square miles (1,830.0 km2) is land and 66.71 square miles (172.8 km2) (8.63%) is water.[37] It is bordered byPitt County andBeaufort County to the north,Pamlico County to the east,Carteret County to the south,Jones County to the west, andLenoir County to the northwest.[38] Craven County lies within the Neuse River Basin.[4]
Future I-42
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US 17 Bus. (New Bern)US 17 Bus. (Vanceboro)
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NC 306| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 10,474 | — | |
| 1800 | 10,245 | −2.2% | |
| 1810 | 12,676 | 23.7% | |
| 1820 | 13,394 | 5.7% | |
| 1830 | 13,734 | 2.5% | |
| 1840 | 13,438 | −2.2% | |
| 1850 | 14,709 | 9.5% | |
| 1860 | 16,268 | 10.6% | |
| 1870 | 20,516 | 26.1% | |
| 1880 | 19,729 | −3.8% | |
| 1890 | 20,533 | 4.1% | |
| 1900 | 24,160 | 17.7% | |
| 1910 | 25,594 | 5.9% | |
| 1920 | 29,048 | 13.5% | |
| 1930 | 30,665 | 5.6% | |
| 1940 | 31,298 | 2.1% | |
| 1950 | 48,823 | 56.0% | |
| 1960 | 58,773 | 20.4% | |
| 1970 | 62,554 | 6.4% | |
| 1980 | 71,043 | 13.6% | |
| 1990 | 81,613 | 14.9% | |
| 2000 | 91,436 | 12.0% | |
| 2010 | 103,505 | 13.2% | |
| 2020 | 100,720 | −2.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 104,167 | [40] | 3.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[41] 1790–1960[42] 1900–1990[43] 1990–2000[44] 2010[45] 2020[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[46] | Pop 2010[47] | Pop 2020[48] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 62,435 | 69,425 | 64,933 | 68.28% | 67.07% | 64.47% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 22,729 | 22,868 | 19,903 | 24.86% | 22.09% | 19.76% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 357 | 420 | 318 | 0.39% | 0.41% | 0.32% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 881 | 2,058 | 3,059 | 0.96% | 1.99% | 3.04% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 51 | 106 | 150 | 0.06% | 0.10% | 0.15% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 119 | 125 | 446 | 0.13% | 0.12% | 0.44% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 1,187 | 2,231 | 4,716 | 1.30% | 2.16% | 4.68% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3,677 | 6,272 | 7,195 | 4.02% | 6.06% | 7.14% |
| Total | 91,436 | 103,505 | 100,720 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, there were 100,720 people, 40,932 households, and 28,502 families residing in the county.[49]
The median age was 41.1 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.9 males age 18 and over.[49]
The racial makeup of the county was 66.2%White, 20.1%Black or African American, 0.4%American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.1%Asian, 0.2%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 3.0% from some other race, and 7.1% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.1% of the population.[50]
64.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 35.4% lived in rural areas.[51]
There were 40,932 households in the county, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.7% were married-couple households, 17.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 46,800 housing units, of which 12.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.3% were owner-occupied and 32.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.[49]
At the2000 census,[52] there were 91,436 people, 34,582 households, and 25,071 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 129 people per square mile (50 people/km2). There were 38,150 housing units at an average density of 54 units per square mile (21 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.94%White, 25.12%Black orAfrican American, 0.42%Native American, 0.99%Asian, 0.06%Pacific Islander, 1.78% fromother races, and 1.68% from two or more races. 4.02% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 34,582 households, out of which 33.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% weremarried couples living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 12.80% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,966, and the median income for a family was $42,574. Males had a median income of $28,163 versus $21,412 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,423. About 9.90% of families and 13.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.
Craven County is led by a seven-member board of commissioners, each of whom are elected to represent a district.[53]
Craven County is a member of theEastern Carolina Council of Governments, a regional multi-county planning and economic coordination body.[54] It is located in theNorth Carolina Senate's2nd district and theNorth Carolina House of Representatives'3rd district, and13th district.[55]
Craven County lies within the bounds of the 4th Prosecutorial District, the 3BSuperior Court District, and the 3BDistrict Court District.[56]
Craven County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 4th Prosecutorial District, the 4thSuperior Court District, and the 4th District Court District.[57] The Craven County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services for the county, as well as operating the Craven County Detention Center.[58]
In January 2025, John Matthew Nigh, an inmate at the Craven County Jail, escaped from the facility. Nigh was being held in custody on multiple felony charges, including three counts of attempted murder on law enforcement officers in nearby Onslow County. Nigh was assisted in his escape by two cellmates, as they removed a ceiling grating and stuffed a mattress to make it appear to correctional officers that Nigh was sleeping in his cell. Nigh then exited the facility through a ventilation housing. Within 12 hours of the escape, he was detected absent from his cell, and a manhunt ensued. As of February 6, 2025, Nigh has not been located. Law enforcement agencies from the counties of Carteret, Craven, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pitt are assisting in the search. TheUnited States Marshals Service is also assisting in search efforts. All North Carolina law enforcement agencies have been notified of his escape.[59][60][61][62][63]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1880 | 2,809 | 69.00% | 1,180 | 28.99% | 82 | 2.01% |
| 1884 | 2,539 | 65.62% | 1,330 | 34.38% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1888 | 2,618 | 65.73% | 1,359 | 34.12% | 6 | 0.15% |
| 1892 | 1,648 | 50.49% | 1,305 | 39.98% | 311 | 9.53% |
| 1896 | 2,921 | 60.50% | 1,810 | 37.49% | 97 | 2.01% |
| 1900 | 1,502 | 42.55% | 2,028 | 57.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1904 | 268 | 14.70% | 1,555 | 85.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1908 | 449 | 24.30% | 1,399 | 75.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 79 | 3.78% | 1,819 | 87.12% | 190 | 9.10% |
| 1916 | 542 | 23.34% | 1,780 | 76.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 731 | 17.64% | 3,413 | 82.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 325 | 9.82% | 2,942 | 88.86% | 44 | 1.33% |
| 1928 | 2,237 | 47.28% | 2,494 | 52.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 466 | 9.59% | 4,375 | 90.02% | 19 | 0.39% |
| 1936 | 453 | 7.56% | 5,543 | 92.44% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 626 | 11.30% | 4,916 | 88.70% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 826 | 14.50% | 4,872 | 85.50% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 745 | 11.87% | 5,039 | 80.26% | 494 | 7.87% |
| 1952 | 2,822 | 31.66% | 6,092 | 68.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 2,956 | 31.88% | 6,317 | 68.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,680 | 33.95% | 7,158 | 66.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 4,691 | 38.73% | 7,422 | 61.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,991 | 21.77% | 4,240 | 30.86% | 6,509 | 47.37% |
| 1972 | 9,372 | 78.74% | 2,384 | 20.03% | 147 | 1.23% |
| 1976 | 5,881 | 43.42% | 7,553 | 55.77% | 109 | 0.80% |
| 1980 | 8,554 | 50.97% | 7,781 | 46.36% | 448 | 2.67% |
| 1984 | 12,893 | 64.04% | 7,186 | 35.69% | 55 | 0.27% |
| 1988 | 12,057 | 62.10% | 7,313 | 37.66% | 47 | 0.24% |
| 1992 | 11,575 | 45.77% | 9,998 | 39.54% | 3,714 | 14.69% |
| 1996 | 13,264 | 52.65% | 10,317 | 40.96% | 1,610 | 6.39% |
| 2000 | 19,494 | 60.95% | 12,213 | 38.18% | 278 | 0.87% |
| 2004 | 23,575 | 62.44% | 14,019 | 37.13% | 162 | 0.43% |
| 2008 | 24,901 | 55.83% | 19,352 | 43.39% | 345 | 0.77% |
| 2012 | 26,928 | 58.32% | 18,763 | 40.64% | 479 | 1.04% |
| 2016 | 27,731 | 59.00% | 17,630 | 37.51% | 1,640 | 3.49% |
| 2020 | 31,032 | 58.48% | 21,148 | 39.85% | 885 | 1.67% |
| 2024 | 33,477 | 59.60% | 22,011 | 39.18% | 685 | 1.22% |
Craven is a typical “Solid South” county in its presidential voting patterns. It was solidly Democratic after black disenfranchisement in 1900: between 1904 and 1948 only in 1928 when a large anti-Catholic vote was cast againstAl Smith did the GOP reach one quarter of the vote, and four timestheir proportion fell into single figures. The national Democratic party's support for theCivil Rights Movement caused its white electorate to defect toGeorge Wallace’s American Independent campaign in 1968. Since that time, Craven has become a strongly Republican county. The last Democrat to carry Craven County wasJimmy Carter in 1976.[65] As of March 2022, there were 70,286 registered voters in the county. Of those, 26,225 were registered Republican, 20,135 were registered Democrats, and 23,393 registered unaffiliated.[66]
By the requirements of the North Carolina Constitution of 1868, the county was divided into 8 townships which do not have names:
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Geographic data related toCraven County, North Carolina atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Craven County, North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
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