Editing Sampson County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Sampson County
 | state                = North Carolina 
 | seal                 = Sampson County Seal.jpg
 | founded              = 1784 
 | named for            = [[John Sampson (Politician)|John Sampson]] 
 | seat wl              = Clinton 
 | largest city wl      = Clinton
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 947.83
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 945.93
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.90 
 | area percentage      = 0.20 
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 59036
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 59601 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 62.41
 | coordinates          = {{coord|34.99|-78.37|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.sampsonnc.com
 | district             = 3rd
 | district2            = 7th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | ex image             = Sampson County Courthouse, Clinton.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Sampson County Courthouse in Clinton
 | logo                 = Sampson County Logo.png
}}

'''Sampson County''' is a [[county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. The population was 59,036 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts" /> Its [[county seat]] is [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]].<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==
Sampson County was established in April 1784 following the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The [[North Carolina General Assembly]] annexed land from the neighboring [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin County]]. The neighboring counties of [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]] and [[New Hanover County, North Carolina|New Hanover]] would be annexed later.

Early settlers were Scots-Irish immigrants from Northern Ireland, many came to colonial North Carolina under the protection and inducements of Henry McCulloch, a wealthy London merchant. The community of Taylors Bridge was one of the earliest European settled areas of the county. Pioneer families lived there as early as the 1730s or 1740s. The first settlers of the area were Edmond Matthis, William Johnson, William Robinson and John Register, followed by members of the Peterson, Knowles, Vann, Boney, Merritt, Pearson, Powell, Herring, Rogers, Bryant, Blue, Ezzell, James Murphy, Ward, Sellers, Parrish, Fryar, Williamson and Bass families. In 1745, McCulloch obtained grants from the British Crown covering some 71,160 acres of land "lying and situated on the branches of the North East and Black River."<ref>{{Cite web |title=County History and Heritage |url=http://www.sampsonnc.com/government/county_history_and_heritage/index.php |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=www.sampsonnc.com}}</ref> The Scot-Irish immigrants were soon joined by descendants of the Swiss colony in [[New Bern, North Carolina|New Bern]]. Later on, they were joined by pioneers from the northern states of [[New Jersey]], [[Connecticut]] and [[Massachusetts]].

Among the first European settlers of the area was [[John Sampson (Politician)|John Sampson]]. Sampson was appointed as the first [[Recorder of Deeds|Register of Deeds]] for Duplin County. He served as a [[Lieutenant Colonel|Lt. Colonel]], and then a [[Lieutenant General|Lt. General]] in the county's militia, and was later elected as the first mayor of [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]]. Sampson brought with him [[Richard Clinton (politician)|Richard Clinton]], believed to be his stepson.

As an adult, Clinton soon distinguished himself in governmental and military service, serving as Duplin County's [[Recorder of Deeds|Register of Deeds]] for ten years. He was elected to the [[North Carolina Provincial Congress|Provincial Congress]] held at [[Hillsboro, North Carolina|Hillsboro]]. In 1776, at the outbreak of the Revolution, Clinton organized a company of militia from upper Duplin County and led them as captain in the defense of Wilmington against the British. He was later appointed [[Colonel]] of Cavalry and [[Brigadier General]] of the [[Fayetteville, North Carolina|Fayetteville District]]. Upon the establishment of the state government of North Carolina by the [[Constitution of North Carolina|Halifax Constitution of 1776]], Clinton was elected as one of the first members of the [[North Carolina General Assembly|House of Commons]], representing the County of Duplin as a House member. Clinton continued as a representative of Duplin County until the creation of Sampson County in 1784. Clinton secured passage of the act creating the new county, and proposed the name "Sampson" in honor of John Sampson, his stepfather and benefactor.

According to the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 1,029 members of the state-recognized [[Coharie Intra-tribal Council, Inc.]], a [[state-recognized tribe]] in Sampson County, who claim "descent from certain tribes of Indians originally inhabiting the coastal regions of North Carolina."<ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter 71A. Indians |url=https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_71A.html |website=NC General Assembly |access-date=August 27, 2022}}</ref>

[[George Edwin Butler]], author of ''The Croatan Indians of Sampson County, North Carolina. Their Origin and Racial Status. A Plea for Separate Schools'' (1916), claimed that the [[Croatan]] were [[mixed-race]] descendants of English settlers on the [[Lost Colony of Roanoke Island]]. The persons associated as Croatan were variously classified as "White", "Mulatto", "Colored", and "Negro" in the censuses of the 19th century. There was no category for Indian.

But most historians do not believe the story of the Croatan Indians in North Carolina. No records exist of any English settlement inland of the [[North Carolina]] coast prior to 1703, when [[John Lawson (explorer)|John Lawson]] explored the inner region of the territory. Butler claimed that Lawson had come across Native Americans who were [[tillage|tilling]] the land in the English style, speaking an [[Middle English|antiquated English]], having gray and blue eyes, and wanting [[John Lawson (explorer)|Lawson]] to teach them how to [[Read (process)|"speak from a book"]] as their [[Ancestor|forefathers]] did.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Butler |first=George Edwin |author-link=George Edwin Butler |url=https://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/butler/butler.html |title=The Croatan Indians of Sampson County, North Carolina. Their Origin and Racial Status. A Plea for Separate Schools |date=1916 |publisher=Seeman Printery |edition=Electronic |location=Durham, NC}}</ref> Mainline historians have found no evidence that any Europeans survived from Roanoke Island. [[DNA]] analysis of the "Indians" of Sampson County have not supported such early 20th c. origins.

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q507722|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Sampson County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|947.83|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|945.93|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.90|sqmi}} (0.20%) is water.<ref name="CensusGazetteerData">{{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> It is the second-largest county by land area, behind only [[Robeson County, North Carolina|Robeson County]], which has a land area of {{convert|949.26|sqmi}}.<ref name="CensusGazetteerData"/>

The county is in the watersheds of the [[Black River (North Carolina)|Black]] and [[South River (North Carolina)|South]] Rivers and [[Six Run Creek]].

===State and local protected areas===
* [[Sampson Game Land]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>

===Major water bodies===
* [[Black River (North Carolina)|Black River]], home of the [[List of oldest trees|oldest]] documented ''[[Taxodium distichum]]'' (bald cypress) at {{Age nts|-625|3|4}} years old; located in Bladen County<ref name="Stahleetal2019">{{Cite journal |last1=Stahle |first1=D. W. |last2=Edmondson |first2=J. R. |last3=Howard |first3=I. M. |last4=Robbins |first4=C. R. |last5=Griffin |first5=R. D. |last6=Carl |first6=A. |last7=Hall |first7=C. B. |last8=Stahle |first8=D. K. |last9=Torbenson |first9=M. C. A. |date=May 16, 2019 |title=Longevity, climate sensitivity, and conservation status of wetland trees at Black River, North Carolina |journal=Environmental Research Communications |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=041002 |bibcode=2019ERCom...1d1002S |doi=10.1088/2515-7620/ab0c4a |doi-access=free}}</ref>
* [[Bulltail Creek (North Carolina)|Bulltail Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2005 |title=Final Flood Elevation Determinations |url=https://unblock.federalregister.gov/ |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=www.federalregister.gov |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)}}</ref>
* [[Great Coharie Creek (Black River tributary)|Great Coharie Creek]]
* [[Little Coharie Creek (North Carolina)|Little Coharie Creek]]
* [[Mingo Swamp (South River tributary)|Mingo Swamp]]
* [[Six Run Creek]]
* [[South River (North Carolina)|South River]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Johnston County]] – north
* [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne County]] – northeast
* [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin County]] – east
* [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender County]] – southeast
* [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen County]] – southwest
* [[Cumberland County, North Carolina|Cumberland County]] – west
* [[Harnett County, North Carolina|Harnett County]] – northwest

=== Major highways ===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|I|40}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|I-Future|795}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|13}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Conn|117|dab1=Calypso}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|421}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|701}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|24}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|24|dab1=Autryville}} ([[North Carolina Highway 24#Troy business loop|business route]])
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|41}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|50}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|55}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|96}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|242}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|403}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|411}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|903}}
{{div col end}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Clinton-Sampson County Airport]], public use airport located two nautical miles (4&nbsp;km) southwest of the central business district of Clinton, a city in Sampson County, North Carolina, United States. It is owned by the city and county.

== Climate ==
Sampson County is located in the [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') zone, with mostly moderate temperatures year round. Winters are mild across Sampson, with the warmest winter temperatures found in the southern portion of the county due to the influence of the nearby [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The average high temperature in January is around 55 °F (13 °C). Summers are hot and humid, with the hottest summer temperatures found in the northern areas of Sampson County. The average high temperature in July is around 90 °F (32 °C).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sampson County, NC Climate |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/north_carolina/sampson |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BestPlaces}}</ref>

During [[Weather front|frontal passages]], temperatures can vary widely across Sampson County due to its large size, spanning nearly 70 miles from north to south. Occasionally, temperatures can be in the 40s °F in northern areas of the county, as southern areas of Sampson remain in the 60s °F before the front completes its passage.

The [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[Hardiness zone|hardiness zones]] for Sampson County are Zone 8A (10 °F to 15 °F or -12 °C to -9 °C) and Zone 8B (15 °F to 20 °F or -9 °C to -6 °C).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map {{!}} USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}</ref>

=== Extreme temperatures ===
Although uncommon, extreme temperatures can occur in Sampson County.

* In December 1989, Clinton recorded a new record low temperature of -2 °F (-19 °C).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=North Carolina United States Record High and Low Temperature (Fahrenheit) Map and List - Updated January 2025 |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/en/us/climate/extremes/f/north-carolina-record-high-low-temperatures |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=Plantmaps.com |language=en}}</ref>

* In August 1983, Clinton recorded a new record high temperature of 103 °F (39 °C).<ref name=":0" />

=== Frost ===
Frost does occur in Sampson County. Most of the county experiences 50–75 days of frost conditions annually. However, far southern areas of Sampson experience only 40–50 days of frost conditions annually, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.<ref>{{Cite web |last=plantmaps.com |title=Average Frost Days for North Carolina - Updated January 2025 |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/en/us/fd/state/north-carolina/average-days-with-frost-map |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=plantmaps.com}}</ref>

=== Snow ===
Like much of [[eastern North Carolina]], snow is rare in Sampson County. On average, light snowfall occurs once or twice every 10 years.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 6162
|1800= 6719
|1810= 6620
|1820= 8908
|1830= 11634
|1840= 12157
|1850= 14585
|1860= 16624
|1870= 16436
|1880= 22894
|1890= 25096
|1900= 26380
|1910= 29982
|1920= 36002
|1930= 40082
|1940= 47440
|1950= 49780
|1960= 48013
|1970= 44954
|1980= 49687
|1990= 47297
|2000= 60161
|2010= 63431
|2020= 59036
|estyear=2023
|estimate=59601
|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 19, 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 19, 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 19, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|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 19, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37163.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2013}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sampsoncountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Sampson County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Sampson County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37163&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 24, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 29,729
| 50.36%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 13,944
| 23.62%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 1,002
| 1.7%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 216
| 0.37%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 18
| 0.03%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 1,878
| 3.18%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 12,249
| 20.75%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 59,036 people, 23,416 households, and 15,705 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 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 63,431 people, 22,624 households, and 16,214 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|67.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 26,476 housing units at an average density of {{convert|27|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 56.7% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 27% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 2% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]] and 2% from two or more races. 16.5% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 22,273 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 14.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,793, and the median income for a family was $38,072. Males had a median income of $26,806 versus $20,657 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,976. About 13.50% of families and 17.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.50% of those under age 18 and 21.50% of those age 65 or over.

Sampson County is also one of the largest producers of [[pig|hogs]] in the nation, and second in the state, with a population of over 2 million hogs.

==Government and politics==

The county was unusual in the South in turning strongly towards the Republican Party between the 1890s and [[World War II]] – a time when most of the region was solidifying as the overwhelmingly Democratic "[[Solid South]]". Even with its historic Populism a fading memory, and no Unionist history, Sampson was one of seven North Carolina counties to vote for [[Wendell Willkie]] in 1940, and one of fourteen to vote for [[Thomas E. Dewey]] in 1944. This was due to the fact that it was the leading center for the [[Populist Party (United States)|Populist Party]] during the 1890s under local hero [[Marion Butler]] – more so indeed than Nash and Chatham counties which had given James B. Weaver a plurality in the 1892 election – and the fact that to compete with the dominant Democratic Party the two would fuse, with the result that after the Populists' demise its adherents turned to the Republicans.<ref>Scher, Richard K.; ''Politics in the New South: Republicanism, Race and Leadership in the Twentieth Century'', pp. 88–89 {{ISBN|131528491X}}</ref>
[[File:North Carolina's 7th congressional district (since 2025).svg|thumb|North Carolina's 7th congressional district, since 2025]]
{{PresHead|place=Sampson County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1=<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 17, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|18,178|9,797|226|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|17,411|10,966|241|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|14,838|10,547|543|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|14,422|11,566|186|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|14,038|11,836|164|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|12,600|9,649|39|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,410|8,768|61|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|8,241|8,150|841|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|8,007|8,698|1,863|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,524|8,009|22|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|10,665|9,115|16|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|8,097|9,090|391|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|6,968|8,869|65|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|9,684|4,888|154|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|6,597|4,797|4,527|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|7,634|8,067|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|7,338|7,632|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|6,685|7,197|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|6,449|6,956|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|4,932|4,965|651|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|6,062|4,220|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|5,769|5,107|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,948|5,937|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,127|4,911|114|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,579|2,285|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|3,188|2,021|35|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|5,353|2,426|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,727|1,369|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Progressive|84|1,265|2,521|North Carolina}}

In the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]], Sampson County is in the 22nd district with [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen County]], represented by Republican William D. Brisson,<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Carolina House of Representatives District 22|url=https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_House_of_Representatives_District_22|website=Ballotpedia|language=en|access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> In the [[North Carolina Senate]], it lies within the 9th district, represented by Republican Brent Jackson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DRA 2020 |url=https://davesredistricting.org/maps |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=Daves Redistricting}}</ref>

In the [[United States House of Representatives]], Sampson County lies within [[North Carolina's 3rd congressional district]], represented by Republican [[Greg Murphy (politician)|Greg Murphy]]. Beginning in 2025, the northwestern areas of Sampson will lie within [[North Carolina's 7th congressional district]], represented by Republican [[David Rouzer]].

Sampson County is a member of the regional [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Mid-Carolina Council of Governments]].

==Economy==
Historically, Sampson County has been an agricultural county with a slow rise in population since the creation of the county. The agricultural sector continues to be one of the leading pillars of the economy. Leading industries prior to the 20th century were naval stores, timber and agriculture. After the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the [[Naval Stores]] and [[Logging|timber]] industries began to lose production value in the county to the lack of cheap labor due to the [[Emancipation Proclamation|eradication of slavery]] among other factors; as a result, [[subsistence agriculture]] became the primary industry. The county has steadily gained stronger manufacturing and [[service industry|services]] industries since the Civil War.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Sampson County, North Carolina |url=http://www.sampsonnc.com/government/about_sampson_county.php |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=www.sampsonnc.com}}</ref>

As of 2007, agricultural land covered over 50% of the county's land area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Agricultural and Forestry Data of Sampson County|url=http://www.sampsonedc.com/page/1|access-date=July 11, 2014}}</ref> A wide range of [[crops]] are grown in the county ranging from vegetables, fruits and [[berry|berries]] to tobacco, peanuts, corn, [[soybeans]] and wheat. Manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, education and retail are the primary sources of employment in the county.

As of 2012, Sampson County is the largest producer of [[hay]] and [[flue-cured tobacco]] in [[North Carolina]]. Sampson County is the largest producer of [[domestic turkey|turkeys]] and the second largest producer of [[Pig|hogs]] in the state.<ref>{{cite web|title=NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services|url=http://www.ncagr.gov/stats/codata/index.htm|access-date=July 15, 2015}}</ref>

==Education==
Sampson County has a county-wide [[public school system]] for the grades of [[K-12]] with the exception of the city of [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]], which has its own public [[school district]] for grades [[K-12]]. The only post-secondary public institution in the county is [[Sampson Community College]]. [[Hobbton High School]] is the oldest school building in Sampson County; located in [[Newton Grove, North Carolina|Newton Grove]], it is a small 1A school.

===County schools===
;Elementary schools
{{div col}}
* Clement
* Hargrove
* Hobbton
* Midway
* Plain View
* Roseboro
* Salemburg
* Union
{{div col end}}

;Intermediate school
* Union

;Middle schools
* Hobbton
* Midway
* Union
* Roseboro-Salemburg

;High schools
* Union
* [[Hobbton High School|Hobbton]]
* Midway
* Lakewood
* Sampson Early College High School

===Clinton City Schools===
;Elementary schools
* Butler Avenue
* L.C. Kerr
* Sunset Avenue

;Middle school
* Sampson

;High school
* Clinton

===Libraries===
The Sampson County Library System serves Sampson County residents through four different libraries and a specialized outreach service intended for patrons who are home-bound and unable to visit the library. The libraries share a publicly accessible catalog and courier service. The Sampson County Library System offers online resources including [[eBooks]], [[audiobooks]], numerous [[genealogy]] databases, and online [[Driver's Education]]. The libraries also participate in [[Interlibrary Loan]] services. Computer classes and Story Time programs are offered at the member libraries.

;Library Locations
* J.C. Holliday Library ([[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]])
* Bryan Memorial Library ([[Newton Grove, North Carolina|Newton Grove]])
* Miriam Lamb Memorial Library ([[Garland, North Carolina|Garland]])
* Roseboro Public Library ([[Roseboro, North Carolina|Roseboro]])

The J.C. Holliday Library in Clinton is the headquarters library for the county. It houses the largest collection of items including research materials and a local history and genealogy collection. There are also reference and children's services provided at this branch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Library Services |url=http://www.sampsonnc.com/departments/library_services/ |access-date=May 31, 2022 |website=www.sampsonnc.com}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Sampson County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|200px|Map of Sampson County with municipal and township labels]]

===City===
* [[Clinton, North Carolina|Clinton]] (county seat and largest community)

===Towns===
* [[Autryville, North Carolina|Autryville]]
* [[Garland, North Carolina|Garland]]
* [[Harrells, North Carolina|Harrells]]
* [[Newton Grove, North Carolina|Newton Grove]]
* [[Roseboro, North Carolina|Roseboro]]
* [[Salemburg, North Carolina|Salemburg]]
* [[Turkey, North Carolina|Turkey]]

===Census-designated places===
{{div col}}
* [[Bonnetsville, North Carolina|Bonnetsville]]
* [[Delway, North Carolina|Delway]]
* [[Ingold, North Carolina|Ingold]]
* [[Ivanhoe, North Carolina|Ivanhoe]]
* [[Keener, North Carolina|Keener]]
* [[Plain View, North Carolina|Plain View]]
* [[Spiveys Corner, North Carolina|Spiveys Corner]]
* [[Vann Crossroads, North Carolina|Vann Crossroads]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Moltonville, North Carolina|Moltonville]]
* [[Rebel City, North Carolina|Rebel City]]
* [[Suttontown, North Carolina|Suttontown]]

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Belvoir Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Belvoir]]
* [[Dismal Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Dismal]]
* [[Franklin Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Franklin]]
* [[Halls Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Halls]]
* [[Herring Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Herring]]
* [[Honeycutt Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Honeycutt]]
* [[Lisbon Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Lisbon]]
* [[Little Coharie Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Little Coharie]]
* [[McDaniels Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|McDaniels]]
* [[Mingo Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Mingo]]
* [[Newton Grove Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Newton Grove]]
* [[North Clinton Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|North Clinton]]
* [[Piney Grove Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Piney Grove]]
* [[Plain View Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Plain View]]
* [[South Clinton Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|South Clinton]]
* [[South River Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|South River]]
* [[Taylors Bridge Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Taylors Bridge]]
* [[Turkey Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Turkey]]
* [[Westbrook Township, Sampson County, North Carolina|Westbrook]]
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
* [[Micajah Autry]], American merchant, poet and lawyer who died in the Texas Revolution at the [[Battle of the Alamo]]
* [[Theophilus H. Holmes]], [[United States Army]] officer and a [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] [[Lieutenant General (CSA)|Lieutenant General]] in the [[American Civil War]]
* [[James Kenan]], military leader of the [[American Revolutionary War]],<ref>Liberty Hall Archives</ref> and an early senator of the state of [[North Carolina]] 
* [[Robert Herring Wright]], first president of [[East Carolina University|East Carolina Teachers Training School]]
* [[Marion Butler]], [[People's Party (United States)|Populist]] [[U.S. senator]] from North Carolina between 1895 and 1901. and brother of George Edwin Butler
* [[George Edwin Butler]], local Lawyer, Civic Leader, and Author of ''The Croatan Indians of Sampson County, North Carolina. Their Origin and Racial Status. A Plea for Separate Schools''
* [[Lauch Faircloth]], [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] U.S. Senator between 1993 and 1999, born January 14, 1928
* [[Gwendolyn Faison]], former mayor of [[Camden, New Jersey]] (2000–2010)
* [[Gabriel Holmes]], 21st [[governor of North Carolina]] between 1821 and 1824
* [[Theophilus H. Holmes]], U.S. Army officer and Confederate general in the [[American Civil War]]
* [[Rufus G. Herring]], [[United States Naval Reserve]] Officer and recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions in [[World War II]]
* [[William R. King]], politician and diplomat who was elected both to the [[US House|House of Representatives]] and the [[US Senate|Senate]]. In 1852, he was elected as the 13th US vice-president on a [[ticket (election)|ticket]] with [[Franklin Pierce]]
* [[John Merrick (insurance)|John Merrick]], African American entrepreneur, founder and president of [[North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company]], which for much of the 20th century was the largest company run by African Americans in the U.S.
* [[Curtis Smith (drag racer)|Curtis Smith]], World Champion and Hall of Fame Drag Racer
* [[Willie Weeks]], American Bass Guitarist and Musician
==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Sampson County, North Carolina]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2528742}}
* {{Official website|http://www.sampsonnc.com}}
* [http://www.ncgenweb.us/sampson/ NCGenWeb Sampson County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Sampson County, North Carolina
|North     = [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Johnston County]]
|Northeast = [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne County]]
|East      = [[Duplin County, North Carolina|Duplin County]]
|Southeast = [[Pender County, North Carolina|Pender County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen County]]
|West      = [[Cumberland County, North Carolina|Cumberland County]]
|Northwest = [[Harnett County, North Carolina|Harnett County]]
}}
{{Sampson County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sampson County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1784 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1784]]