Editing Montgomery County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Montgomery County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | seal                 = Montgomery county.PNG
 | founded              = 1779
 | named for            = [[Richard Montgomery]]
 | seat wl              = Troy
 | largest city wl      = Troy
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 501.54
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 491.54
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 10.00
 | area percentage      = 1.99
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 25751
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 26085 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 52.68
 | coordinates          = {{coord|35.33|-79.91|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.montgomerycountync.com
 | motto                = "The Golden Opportunity"
 | ex image             = MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, TROY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, NC.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Montgomery County Courthouse (North Carolina)|Montgomery County Courthouse]]
 | district             = 8th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | logo                 = Montgomery County Logo.png
}}

'''Montgomery County''' is a rural [[County (United States)|county]] located in the southern [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 25,751.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Troy, North Carolina|Troy]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
The first inhabitants of the area eventually comprising Montgomery County were [[Keyauwee Indians|Keyauwee]] and [[Cheraw]] Native Americans. The first European settlers were German and Scottish.<ref name= powell/>

Montgomery County was created in 1779 out of [[Anson County, North Carolina|Anson County]]. It was named in honor of [[Richard Montgomery]], an [[American Revolutionary War]] general killed in 1775 while attempting to capture [[Quebec City]], [[Canada]]. The law establishing the county also directed a group of commissioners to secure land near the center of the county for the construction of a country courthouse and prison. Many residents were dissatisfied with the location chosen, and after several years of demurring on a decision, a courthouse was erected in the community of Henderson, created at the confluence of the [[Yadkin River|Yadkin]] and [[Uwharrie River|Uwharrie]] rivers in 1794.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=152}} In 1816, the old courthouse was sold another was erected at the new community of Laurenceville.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|pp=152–153}} In 1841, the portion of Montgomery County west of the Yadkin/[[Pee Dee River]] became [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly County]].{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|pp=154–155}} Two years later, commissioners were selected to move the courthouse to Montgomery's geographic center, and in 1844 [[Troy, North Carolina|Troy]] was established as the county seat.{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=153}}

The county's first paved roads were established in the 1920s. The [[Great Depression]], which began in 1929, had a large adverse impact on the local agricultural and manufacturing industries. By 1933, 30 percent of local residents were unemployed.{{sfn|Rosen|Mosnier|2016|p=7}}

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q506697|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Montgomery County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|501.54|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|491.54|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|10.00|sqmi}} (1.99%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Montgomery is bordered by [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson]], [[Moore County, North Carolina|Moore]], [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond]], [[Randolph County, North Carolina|Randolph]], and [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly]] counties. Most of the county lies within the [[Yadkin–Pee Dee River Basin|Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin]], with some smaller areas lying within the [[Cape Fear River|Cape Fear]] and [[Lumber River]] basins. The [[Uwharrie National Forest]] encompasses a large swathe of the county.<ref name= powell>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/montgomery| title = Montgomery County| last = Powell| first = William S.| date = 2006| website = NCPedia| publisher = North Carolina Government & Heritage Library| access-date = April 23, 2023}}</ref>

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[Pee Dee River Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands">{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>
* [[Roy J. Maness Nature Preserve]]
* [[Town Creek Indian Mound|Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site]]
* [[Uwharrie Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>
* [[Yadkin River Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>

===Major water bodies===
{{See also|Category:Rivers of Montgomery County, North Carolina}}
* [[Badin Lake]]
* [[Big Creek (North Carolina)|Big Creek]]
* [[Big Mountain Creek (North Carolina)|Big Mountain Creek]]
* [[Densons Creek (North Carolina)|Densons Creek]]
* [[Drowning Creek]]
* [[Pee Dee River|Great Pee Dee River]]
* [[Jackson Creek (North Carolina)|Jackson Creek]]
* [[Lake Tillery]]
* [[Little River (North Carolina)|Little River]]
* [[Rocky Creek (North Carolina)|Rocky Creek]]
* [[Spencer Creek (Uwharrie River tributary)|Spencer Creek]]
* [[Tuckertown Reservoir]]
* [[Uwharrie River]]
* [[Yadkin River]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 5039
|1800= 7677
|1810= 8430
|1820= 8693
|1830= 10919
|1840= 10780
|1850= 6872
|1860= 7649
|1870= 7487
|1880= 9374
|1890= 11239
|1900= 14197
|1910= 14967
|1920= 14607
|1930= 16218
|1940= 16280
|1950= 17260
|1960= 18408
|1970= 19267
|1980= 22469
|1990= 23346
|2000= 26822
|2010= 27798
|2020= 25751
|estyear=2023
|estimate=26085
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36123.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606234330/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36123.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/montgomerycountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Montgomery County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Montgomery County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37123&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 22, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 16,504
| 64.0%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 4,192
| 16.28%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 76
| 0.3%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 391
| 1.52%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 2
| 0.01%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 662
| 2.57%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 3,924
| 15.24%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 25,751 people, 10,195 households, and 6,788 families residing in the county.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 26,822 people, 9,848 households, and 7,189 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|55|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 14,145 housing units at an average density of {{convert|29|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 69.07% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 21.84% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.40% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.61% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.75% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.29% from two or more races. 10.43% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 9,848 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% 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 3.080.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 102.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,903, and the median income for a family was $39,616. Males had a median income of $27,832 versus $21,063 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,505. About 10.90% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.50% of those under age 18 and 17.80% of those age 65 or over.

==Law and government==
===Government===
The county's government is led by a board of commissioners, is responsible for levying taxes and appropriating county funds, issuing ordinances to regulate resident behavior, and overseeing county government administration.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.montgomerycountync.com/board-of-commissioners| title = Board of Commissioners| website = Montgomery County, North Carolina| publisher = Montgomery County Government| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref> A county manager oversees most regular administrative activities and is responsible for executing the board's wishes.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.montgomerycountync.com/departments/administration| title = Departments : Administration| website = Montgomery County, North Carolina| publisher = Montgomery County Government| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref>

Montgomery County is a member of the [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Piedmont Triad Council of Governments]], a regional voluntary association of 12 counties,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ptrc.org/about| title = About Us| publisher = Piedmont Triad Council of Governments| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref> It is located entirely in the [[North Carolina Senate]]'s [[North Carolina's 29th Senate district|29th district]], the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]]' [[North Carolina's 67th House district|67th district]],<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/CountyRepresentation/Montgomery| title = Rockingham County Representation : 2023-2024 Session| publisher = North Carolina General Assembly| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref> and [[North Carolina's 8th congressional district]]. It is represented in the [[118th United States Congress]] by [[Dan Bishop]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]).

===Politics===
{{PresHead|place=Montgomery County, North Carolina|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,044|4,055|107|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,411|4,327|111|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,130|4,150|260|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|6,404|4,706|121|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,155|4,926|129|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,745|4,313|22|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,946|3,979|49|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,379|3,856|603|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,543|4,422|1,196|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,504|3,995|31|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,109|3,831|12|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,587|4,129|126|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,872|4,308|31|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,417|2,175|134|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,070|2,410|2,259|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,385|3,933|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,649|3,297|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,359|3,088|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,181|3,176|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,975|2,165|418|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,963|2,665|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,789|3,007|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,506|3,484|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,153|2,927|18|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,653|2,016|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,077|2,483|5|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,304|2,321|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,196|1,222|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|144|1,012|846|North Carolina}}

As of March 2022, 35.9 percent of registered voters in Montgomery County were Republicans, 34.1 percent were registered Democrats, and 29.4 percent were registered unaffiliated.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://myfox8.com/news/politics/your-local-election-hq/nc-election-season-begins-with-more-voters-unaffiliated/| title = NC election season begins with more voters unaffiliated| last = Doyle| first = Steve| date = March 28, 2022| website = FOX8 WGHP| publisher = Nexstar Media Group| access-date = May 16, 2023}}</ref>

==Economy==
One of the United States' largest lumber mills, a Jordan Lumber & Supply facility, is located near Mt. Gilead.<ref>{{cite news| last = Barkin| first = Dan| title = Prices pop amid strong lumber demand and limited sawmills| newspaper = BusinessNC| date = April 26, 2021| url = https://businessnc.com/prices-pop-amid-strong-lumber-demand-and-limited-sawmills/| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[Interstate 73]]/[[Interstate 74]] runs through the eastern portion of Montgomery County. The main east-to-west road route which crosses the county is [[North Carolina Highway 27]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.montgomerycountync.com/economic-development/transportation-infrastructure/interstates-highways| title = Transportation & Infrastructure : Interstates & Highways| website = Montgomery County, North Carolina| publisher = Montgomery County Government| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref> Freight rail service is run by the [[Aberdeen, Carolina and Western Railway]], which operates an east-to-west line through the county which connects to Charlotte and Raleigh, and another which runs south to the Southern Pines/Pinehurst region.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.montgomerycountync.com/economic-development/transportation-infrastructure/railways| title = Transportation & Infrastructure : Railways| website = Montgomery County, North Carolina| publisher = Montgomery County Government| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref> Corporate and private airplane facilities are provided by the [[Montgomery County Airport (North Carolina)|Montgomery County Airport]], located in the eastern portion of the county.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.montgomerycountync.com/economic-development/transportation-infrastructure/airports| title = Transportation & Infrastructure : Airports| website = Montgomery County, North Carolina| publisher = Montgomery County Government| access-date = April 27, 2023}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|220}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Alt|220}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|24}} 
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|24|dab1=Troy}} ([[North Carolina Highway 24#Autryville business loop|business route]])
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|27|dab1=Troy}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|73}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|109}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|109|dab1=Mount Gilead}} (Mount Gilead)
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|109|dab1=Troy}} (Troy)
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|134}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|211}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|731}}
{{div col end}}

==Education==
The public school system provides five elementary schools (Star, Mt. Gilead, Candor, Page Street, and Green Ridge), two middle schools (West Montgomery and East Montgomery and one high school (Montgomery Central, formed in 2020 by the merger of East Montgomery High and West Montgomery High). Higher education is provided by [[Montgomery Community College (North Carolina)|Montgomery Community College]].

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Montgomery County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Montgomery County with municipal and township labels]]

===Towns===
* [[Biscoe, North Carolina|Biscoe]]
* [[Candor, North Carolina|Candor]]
* [[Mount Gilead, North Carolina|Mount Gilead]]
* [[Star, North Carolina|Star]]
* [[Troy, North Carolina|Troy]] (county seat and largest community)

===Townships===
* [[Biscoe Township, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Biscoe]]
* [[Cheek Creek Township, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Cheek Creek]]
* [[Eldorado Township, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Eldorado]]
* Little River
* Mount Gilead
* Ophir
* Pee Dee
* Rocky Springs
* Star
* Troy
* Uwharrie

===Unincorporated Communities===
* [[Abner, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Abner]]
* [[Black Ankle, North Carolina|Black Ankle]]
* [[Blaine, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Blaine]]
* [[Chip, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Chip]]
* [[Dry Creek, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Dry Creek]]
* [[Eldorado, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Eldorado]]
* [[Emery, North Carolina|Emery]]
* [[Ether, North Carolina|Ether]]
* [[Harrisville, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Harrisville]]
* [[Love Joy, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Love Joy]]
* [[Okeewemee, North Carolina|Okeewemee]]
* [[Ophir, North Carolina|Ophir]]
* [[Pee Dee, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Pee Dee]]
* [[Pekin, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Pekin]]
* [[Steeds, North Carolina|Steeds]]
* [[Thickety Creek, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Thickety Creek]]
* [[Uwharrie, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Uwharrie]]
* [[Wadeville, Montgomery County, North Carolina|Wadeville]]
* [[Windblow, North Carolina|Windblow]]

==Notable people==
* [[Beulah Parson Davis]] (1896–1948), fortune-telling witch
* [[Henry F. Warner]] (1923–1944), [[United States Army]] [[List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II|World War II Medal of Honor]] recipient
• [[Dusty Blake]]- MLB Pitching Coach

==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Montgomery County, North Carolina]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Works cited==
* {{cite book| last = Corbitt| first = David Leroy| title = The formation of the North Carolina counties, 1663-1943| publisher = North Carolina Division of Archives and History | edition = reprint| date = 2000| location = Raleigh| url = https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p16062coll9/id/289743| oclc= 46398241}}
* {{cite book| last1 = Rosen| first1 = Richard A.| last2 = Mosnier| first2 = Joseph| title = Julius Chambers: A Life in the Legal Struggle for Civil Rights| publisher = The University of North Carolina Press| date = 2016| location = Chapel Hill| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=D6QwDAAAQBAJ| isbn = 9781469628554}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Rural Montgomery County}}
* {{osmrelation|2528724}}
* {{Official website|http://www.montgomerycountync.com/}}
* [http://www.ncgenweb.us/montgomery/ NCGenWeb Montgomery County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Montgomery County, North Carolina
|North     =
|Northeast = [[Randolph County, North Carolina|Randolph County]]
|East      = [[Moore County, North Carolina|Moore County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond County]]
|Southwest =[[Anson County, North Carolina|Anson County]]
|West      = [[Stanly County, North Carolina|Stanly County]]
|Northwest = [[Davidson County, North Carolina|Davidson County]]
}}
{{Montgomery County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Montgomery County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1779 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1779]]