Editing Scotland County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Other uses|Scotland (disambiguation)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Scotland County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | ex image             = Scotland County Courthouse (February 2023) 5 (cropped).jpg
 | ex image cap         = Scotland County Courthouse
 | seal                 = Scotland County Seal.png
 | founded date         = February 20, 1899
 | named for            = [[Scotland]]
 | seat wl              = Laurinburg
 | largest city wl      = Laurinburg
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 320.62
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 319.14
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.48
 | area percentage      = 0.46
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 34174
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 34376 {{gain}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 107.08
 | coordinates          = {{coord|34.84|-79.48|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.scotlandcounty.org
 | district             = 8th
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | flag                 = Scotland County Flag.gif
 | motto                = "Future Focused"
 | logo                 = Scotland County Logo.png
}}

'''Scotland County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the southern part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. Its [[county seat]] is and largest community is [[Laurinburg, North Carolina|Laurinburg]]. The county was formed in 1899 from part of [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond County]] and named in honor of the [[Scotland|Scottish]] settlers who occupied the area in the 1700s. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 34,174.

The area eventually comprising Scotland was originally inhabited by Native Americans and was settled by Europeans as early as the 1720s, though settling heavily increased after the [[American Revolutionary War]]. Scotland County was created out of Richmond County in 1899 largely for political reasons. The area began to industrialize at the turn of the 20th century, but suffered heavily during the [[Great Depression]]. Industrialization increased again after [[World War II]], as agriculture mechanized. In the 2000s, the county's economy suffered a major downturn due to the departure of textile manufacturers and the [[Great Recession]]. The economy continues to struggle in the area and the county regularly suffers from one of the state's highest unemployment rates.

==History==
===Early history===
The earliest residents of the land which became Scotland County were [[Cheraw]] Native Americans. [[Scottish Highlands|Scottish Highlanders]] and some English [[Quakers]] began colonizing the area as early as the 1720s when it was within the British [[Province of North Carolina]].<ref name= martin>{{cite web| url = https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/scotland-county-1899/| title = Scotland County (1899)| last = Martin| first = Jonathan| website = North Carolina History Project| publisher = John Locke Foundation| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> The land encompassing Scotland County was originally under the jurisdiction of [[Bladen County, North Carolina|Bladen County]]. As North Carolina grew, its original counties were subdivided and the future Scotland portion was placed in the new [[Anson County, North Carolina|Anson County]].{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=7}} The relevant portion was then moved into the new [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond County]] in 1779.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=7}}<ref>{{cite web| url = https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/richmond-county-1779/| title = Richmond County (1779)| last = Martin| first = Jonathan| website = North Carolina History Project| publisher = John Locke Foundation| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> Richmond County was bisected by the [[Sandhills (Carolina)|Sandhills]], leaving the eastern portion—of future Scotland—geographically separated from the rest of the county.<ref name= anniversary>{{cite news| title = Scotland County 1906---1916| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| page = 5| date = June 29, 1916| volume = XXXIV| issue = 26| edition = anniversary|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114085864/scotland-county-1906-1916/}}</ref>

More immigrants came after the [[American Revolutionary War]], especially one large group of Highland Scots which came from the [[Cape Fear River]]. The group split and settled two areas in the county, Johns and [[Laurel Hill, Scotland County, North Carolina|Laurel Hill]], the latter in the vicinity of the [[Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church]], established in 1797.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=7}} Laurel Hill became the first major community in the region, prospering as a post-revolution trading center.{{sfn|Marks|2021|pp=10–11}} More immigrants settled the area at this time, including Germans, Welsh, English, and Ulster Scots. Enslaved Africans were also brought into the area.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=7}} The Laurel Hill community largely moved south in 1861 after the [[Wilmington Subdivision|Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad]] laid a line through the area.{{sfn|Marks|2021|pp=10–11}} [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] was spoken in the area through the 1860s.{{sfn|Davis|2008|p=90}}

During the [[American Civil War]], the railroad's shops were moved to [[Laurinburg, North Carolina|Laurinburg]] in the hope they would be safer from [[Union Army]] attack; however, in March 1865, Union forces reached Laurinburg and burned the railroad depot and temporary shops.{{sfn|Barrett|1995|p=300}} The shops were rebuilt after the war,<ref name= john>{{cite news|last=John|first=Maxcy L.| title = Historical Sketch of Laurinburg| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| page = 2| date = June 29, 1916| volume = XXXIV| issue = 26| edition = anniversary|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3530162/the-laurinburg-exchange/}}</ref> though economic recovery was slow.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=5}} Laurinburg was incorporated in 1877.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=10}} It continued to develop as a railway town until 1894 when the shops were moved.<ref name= mcknightprofile>{{cite news| last = McKnight| first = Bonnie| title = 100 County Countdown: Scotland County| newspaper = The Herald-Sun| page = A10| date = March 22, 2005| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114985394/scotland-county-profile/}}</ref>

===Creation===
[[File:N.98.2.77 Group of Red Shirts pose at the polls (5908630058).jpg|thumb|left|[[Red Shirts (United States)|Red Shirts]] at [[Old Hundred, North Carolina|Old Hundred]], November 1898]]
By the late 19th century, Richmond County had a majority black population and tended to support the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] in elections, while the state of North Carolina was typically dominated by the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. In response to this, white Democrats built up a political base in Laurinburg.<ref name= elder/> Legislator Maxey John introduced several unsuccessful bills in the [[North Carolina General Assembly]] to carve out a new county around Laurinburg between 1893 and 1897.<ref name= mcknightprofile/> During the state legislative elections of 1898, Democrats organized intensely in the area to unseat the statewide [[Fusionism in North Carolina|Fusionist coalition]] of [[North Carolina Republican Party|state Republicans]] and [[People's Party (United States)|Populists]], including the deployment of paramilitary [[Red Shirts (United States)|Red Shirts]] in Laurinburg to intimidate black residents and other opponents at the polls.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=3}} Democrats regained their erstwhile majority in the General Assembly. In tribute to the efforts of Democrats in Laurinburg, on February 20, 1899, the assembly split off the town and the surrounding area from Richmond County and created the new Scotland County,{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=4}}{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=8}} named in homage to the Scottish settlers.{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}} Laurinburg was designated the county seat.<ref name= mcknightprofile/>

The creation of Scotland County took official effect on December 10, 1900.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=57}} The first courthouse was erected in Laurinburg the following year.<ref name="History"/> At its creation, the county was socially and politically dominated by its resident white planter class and businessmen.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=4}} No black citizens were allowed to register to vote again until 1928.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=38}} The county's first cotton mill was built in 1899. In subsequent years, additional textile mills were established, as was a cotton [[oil mill]]—the largest in the state at the time, a flour mill, and a fertilizer plant.{{sfn|Marks|2021|pp=57–58}} A county road law was passed by the state in 1903, leading the county to construct its first improved roads of sand and clay. Another road law passed six years later led the county to greatly increase its road building program and erect its first concrete bridges.<ref name= anniversary/>

===Great Depression===
[[File:Cotton field and barn in Scotland County.png|thumb|Cotton field and barn in Scotland County {{circa|1923}}. County cotton production peaked in 1920.]]
Scotland's black population increased in the 1910s and early 1920s as tenant cotton farmers moved north from the [[Deep South]] to escape areas infested by the [[boll weevil]].{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=4}} County cotton production peaked in 1920 as farmers diversified their operations and began growing fruits and melons.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=5}} Cotton nevertheless remained the dominant crop through the 1920s despite stagnating prices.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=59}} The area suffered heavily during the [[Great Depression]], as two banks in Laurinburg failed and a state report indicated that one fourth of the local population was destitute.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=16}} Many smallholding farmers lost their lands in foreclosures and bankruptcies. The county nonwhite population dropped, and urbanization increased as people relocated to towns.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=59}} In May 1934, 500 workers at textile mills in [[East Laurinburg, North Carolina|East Laurinburg]] went on strike in protest of work conditions and living conditions in their company-provided housing. The strike gained state-wide media attention after the strikers engaged in a brawl with loyalist workers, with nine people wounded by gunfire, before the dispute was resolved by arbitration.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|pp=21–22}} The United States [[Resettlement Administration]] purchased much of the low-quality land in the [[Sandhill]]s portion of the county and turned it into a recreational area. The federal [[Agricultural Adjustment Act]] and [[Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1936]] incentivized landowners to reduce production, and as a result, many local tenant farmers and sharecroppers were put out of work and migrated north in search of employment.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=59}}

===World War II and aftermath===
During [[World War II]], the United States government established [[Camp Mackall]] in the Sandhills portion of Scotland County to train paratroopers{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=64}} and the [[Laurinburg–Maxton Army Air Base]] in the east to train glider pilots.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=18}} The latter facility was used to train about 30,000 personnel.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=60}} Many local residents worked in civilian capacities at the Laurinburg–Maxton base, which provided them with a secure source of income.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=18}} It closed in October 1945 and was turned into a civilian airport.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncpedia.org/laurinburg-maxton-army-air-base| title = Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base| last = Linville| first = Ray| date = 2019| website = NCPedia| publisher = North Carolina Government & Heritage Library| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref> Mechanization of agriculture in the 1950s led to depopulation in rural areas, as former farm laborers moved to Laurinburg, Wagram, and outside the county in search of new jobs;{{sfn|Marks|2021|pp=12–13}} from 1950 to 1960, the population decreased by over 1,100 people. Much agricultural land was retired through the [[Soil Bank Program]], and tenant farming and sharecropping rapidly declined. Agriculture continued to mechanize and consolidate into the 1970s.{{sfn|Marks|2021|pp=59–60}}

Faced with the decline in agricultural employment, county leaders in the postwar era appealed for state and federal grants to improve local infrastructure and attract outside industry. Funds were acquired to build low-income housing, pave roads, and support the creation of a new hospital. The first outsider-owned manufacturing plant began operations in Scotland in 1959.{{sfn|Marks|2021|p=60}} A new courthouse was built in 1964.<ref name="History">{{cite web | last =  Myers | first = Betty P. | title = History | publisher = City of Laurinburg, NC | url = http://www.laurinburg.org/history | access-date = July 27, 2017}}</ref> The county and Laurinburg school system were merged and racially integrated in the late 1960s.{{sfn|Marks|2021|pp=61, 70}}

In the 2000s, the county's economy suffered a major downturn due to the departure of textile manufacturers. The [[Great Recession]] led to the closure and shrinking of other manufacturing businesses, leading its employment rate to peak at 18.6 percent in July 2011.<ref name= ranii>{{cite news| last = Ranii| first = David| title = Recruiting industry is Scotland's goal| newspaper = The News & Observer| pages = 1A, 6A| volume = 151| issue = 214| edition = Sunday| date = August 2, 2015| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114979445/scotland-county-industrial-recruitment-2/}}</ref> In 2018, the county was heavily impacted by [[Hurricane Florence]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.wral.com/fatal-flood-waters-wash-away-chunks-of-downtown-laurinburg/17851020/| title = Fatal flood waters wash away chunks of downtown Laurinburg| last = Heffernan| first = Sloane| date = September 21, 2018| website = WRAL-TV| publisher = Capitol Broadcasting Company| access-date = December 21, 2022}}</ref>

==Geography and physical features==
[[File:Lumber River at Chalk Banks.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Lumber River]] at Chalk Banks near [[Wagram, North Carolina|Wagram]]]]
Located within the southeastern portion of the state of North Carolina,{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}} Scotland County rests at the border between the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/scotland| title = Scotland County| last = Mazzocchi| first = Jay| date = 2006| website = NCPedia| publisher = North Carolina Government & Heritage Library| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> It is bordered by [[Hoke County, North Carolina|Hoke]], [[Moore County, North Carolina|Moore]], [[Robeson County, North Carolina|Robeson]], and [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond]] counties,{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}} and [[Marlboro County, South Carolina|Marlboro County]] in the state of South Carolina.<ref name= censusprofile/> According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|320.62|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|319.14|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.48|sqmi}} (0.46%) 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> It is the smallest North Carolina county by area.<ref name="elder">{{cite news| last = Elder| first = Renee| title = Black residents in a small NC town say their community is neglected. What happens now?| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = August 13, 2021| url = https://borderbelt.org/black-residents-in-a-small-nc-town-say-their-community-is-neglected-what-happens-now/| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> The elevation above sea level is {{convert|227|ft}}.<ref name= scotlaurchamber>{{Cite web |title=Relocating to Scotland County |url=https://www.laurinburgchamber.com/community |access-date=September 4, 2023|publisher=Laurinburg-Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce}}</ref>

Scotland is one of the state's ten counties within the [[Sandhills (Carolina)|Sandhills]] region.<ref name= augillard>{{cite web| url = https://archleague.org/article/lumbee-river-north-carolina-intro/| title = Along the Lumbee River: An Introduction| last1 = Augillard| first1 = Morgan| last2 = Swerdlin| first2 = Joey| publisher = [[Architectural League of New York]]| access-date = November 20, 2022}}</ref> The hills mostly populate the northern section of the county, with rest being largely flat.{{sfn|Covington|Ellis|1999|p=3}}{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=3}} Geologically, most of the soil in Scotland consists of sand, sandstone, and mudstone, with the sandiest soils in the Sandhills.{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=3}} The extreme western portion of the county is in the [[Pee Dee River]] drainage basin, while the rest is in the [[Lumber River]] basin. The Lumber forms the eastern boundary of the county. Several smaller tributary watercourses, including Big Shoe Heel Creek, Juniper Creek, Jordan Creek, Leith Creek, Gum Swamp Creek, and Joes Creek, flow across the area and into the Lumber{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=3}} and [[Little Pee Dee River|Little Pee Dee]] rivers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Chapter 3 Little Pee Dee Subbasin |url=https://deq.nc.gov/media/4163/download|publisher=North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality|access-date=March 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lumber River, North Carolina |url=https://www.rivers.gov/rivers/lumber.php |access-date=March 22, 2023|website=National Wild and Scenic Rivers System|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105153751/https://www.rivers.gov/rivers/lumber.php|archive-date=January 5, 2023|publisher=U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service}}</ref> Most such streams are [[Blackwater river|blackwater]] and flow southward or southeastward.{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=3}} The county is also populated by several hundred [[Carolina bay]]s, most of which are concentrated in the northeast, east, and just south of Laurinburg. Some of these form seasonal ponds, and there are several other manmade bodies of water including millponds.{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|pp=3, 6}}

The region generally experiences mild winters and hot summers.{{sfn|Davis|2008|p=90}} The average mean temperature in January is {{convert|44|°F}} while the mean in July is {{convert|80|°F}}. The county on average sees about {{convert|47|in|}} of rainfall per year.<ref name= scotlaurchamber/> Native trees include [[loblolly pine]], [[Liquidambar styraciflua|sweetgum]], [[red maple]], and [[water oak]].{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=164}} [[Longleaf pine]] grows in the Sandhills Game Land, a state nature preserve which covers part of Scotland County.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sandhills Game Land |url=https://visitrichmondcounty.com/f/sandhills-game-land |date=July 23, 2019 |publisher=Richmond Country Tourism Development Authority|website=Richmond County Visitor's Guide|language=en-US|access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref> The Sandhills region is also populated by [[fox squirrel]]s. Other fauna in the county include Carolina [[gopher frog]]s, eastern [[tiger salamander]]s, and [[loggerhead shrike]]s.{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|pp=39–40}} Portions of the [[Lumber River State Park]] are also in the county.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/lumber-river-state-park| title = Lumber River State Park| website = North Carolina State Parks| publisher = NC Division of Parks & Recreation| access-date = December 11, 2022}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=9|id=Q506690|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Scotland County}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 34,174 people residing in the county. Racially, 14,402 county residents identified as white, 13,162 identified as black or African American, 3,745 identified as American Indian, 343 identified as Asian, 15 identified as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 718 identified as other, and 1,789 identified as two or more races.<ref name=2020censusrace>{{cite web| url = https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US37165&y=2020&d=DEC+Redistricting+Data+(PL+94-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title = P1 Race: 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) Scotland County, North Carolina| publisher = U.S. Census Bureau| access-date = December 10, 2022}}</ref> Of the total among the races, 1,106 people identified as Hispanic or Latino.<ref name= 2020censushispanic>{{cite web| url = https://data.census.gov/table?g=0500000US37165&y=2020&d=DEC+Redistricting+Data+(PL+94-171)&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2| title = P2 Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by race 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) Scotland County, North Carolina| publisher = U.S. Census Bureau| access-date = December 10, 2022}}</ref> Scotland proportionately has the third-largest Native American population of any North Carolina county at 14 percent.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncdemography.org/2021/11/10/native-american-population-sees-notable-increase-in-2020-census/| title = Native American Population Sees Notable Increase in 2020 Census| last = Cline| first = Michael| date = November 10, 2021| website = Carolina Demography| publisher = University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill| access-date = December 18, 2022}}</ref> Laurinburg recorded 15,024 residents.<ref name=vincentcensus/>

Scotland County is included in the [[Fayetteville, North Carolina|Fayetteville]]-[[Lumberton, North Carolina|Lumberton]]-[[Laurinburg, North Carolina|Pinehurst]], NC [[Fayetteville, North Carolina metropolitan area|Combined Statistical Area]].<ref name="2023OMB">{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=[[United States Office of Management and Budget]]}}</ref>

===Demographic change===
{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
| <strong>Historical population</strong>
|-
| {{US Census population
|1900= 12553
|1910= 15363
|1920= 15600
|1930= 20174
|1940= 23232
|1950= 26336
|1960= 25183
|1970= 26929
|1980= 32273
|1990= 33754
|2000= 35998
|2010= 36157
|2020= 34174
|estyear=2023
|estimate=34376
|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/37/37165.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607002241/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37165.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/scotlandcountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Scotland County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}
|}

Scotland County has long had significant white, black, and [[Lumbee]] Indian populations. The Hispanic population grew in the early 21st century.<ref>{{cite news| last = Goldsmith| first = Thomas| title = Scotland County tops jobless chart| newspaper = The Charlotte Observer| page = B3| date = December 26, 2011| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114987258/scotland-county-jobless-rate/}}</ref> From 2010 to 2020, Scotland County's population declined from 36,157 to 34,174, a decrease of about five percent.<ref name=vincentcensus>{{cite news| last = Vincent| first = W. Curt| title = Scotland, Laurinburg census numbers drop| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| date = August 20, 2021| url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/52339/scotland-laurinburg-census-numbers-drop| access-date = December 20, 2022}}</ref> The proportion of county residents under the age of 18 dropped by 19.2 percent.<ref>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Broadband, entrepreneurs, faith: What would it take for rural NC to regain population?| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = August 20, 2021| url = https://borderbelt.org/broadband-entrepreneurs-faith-what-would-it-take-for-rural-nc-to-regain-population/| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref> According to the [[American Community Survey]], from 2017 to 2021 there were an estimated 12,214 households in the county with an average of 2.65 persons per household.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> The North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management projects a 6.7 percent population decline in the county between 2020 and 2030.<ref name= rappaportweaver/> The North Carolina Rural Center reported a 0.25 percent increase in the county's population between 2020 and 2023.<ref>{{cite news| last = Rappaport| first = Ben| title = Robeson and Scotland counties are growing, slowly, for the first time in years| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = June 12, 2024| url = https://borderbelt.org/robeson-scotland-counties-nc-grew-during-pandemic/| access-date = June 30, 2024}}</ref>

==Law and government==
===Government===
Scotland County is governed by a county commission. The commission is funded by a two percent share of local [[sales tax]] revenue and the local property tax.<ref name= elder/> The county charges the highest property tax rate in the state, 0.99 percent.<ref>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Scotland County lowers property tax rate, but it's still the highest in North Carolina| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = July 7, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/scotland-county-nc-property-tax-rate/| access-date = July 20, 2022}}</ref> A third of the county's land is owned by the [[United States Forestry Service]] and the [[United States Armed Forces]], from whom no tax revenue is collected.<ref name= elder/> The armed forces operate the Luzon Drop Zone military airfield<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ray |first=Tina |title=Luzon Drop Zone undergoes improvements, repairs |url=https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/military/2016/07/07/luzon-drop-zone-undergoes-improvements/64892106007/ |access-date=December 20, 2022|newspaper=The Fayetteville Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Camp Mackall]] in the county (the latter only partially).<ref>{{cite news| last = Barkin| first = Dan| title = Fort Bragg scoops solar power at a Scotland County lake| newspaper = Business North Carolina| date = June 6, 2022| url = https://businessnc.com/fort-bragg-scoops-solar-power-at-a-scotland-county-lake/| access-date = December 21, 2022}}</ref>

Scotland County is a member of the [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Lumber River Council of Governments]], a regional planning board representing five counties.<ref>{{cite news| title = Richardson explains role of LRCOG to Rotary Club| newspaper = [[The Laurinburg Exchange]]| date = January 28, 2020| url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/33084/richardson-explains-role-of-lrcog-to-rotary-club| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> It is located entirely in [[North Carolina's 9th congressional district]]<ref name= Nagem1>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Here are races to watch as Scotland County voters go to the polls for May 17 primary| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = April 20, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/scotland-county-primary-election-2022/| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> and is also included in the [[North Carolina Senate]]'s [[North Carolina's 24th Senate district|24th district]] and the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]]' [[North Carolina's 48th House district|48th]] district.<ref>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Here's who is on the ballot in Scotland County for Nov. 8 election| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = October 17, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/scotland-county-nc-election-2022/| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref> It is one of the four counties within the jurisdiction of the [[Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina]], and tribal members within the county elect some members of the tribal council.{{sfn|Lowery|2018|p=222}}<ref>{{cite news| title = Lumbee Tribal Council swear in new Scotland rep| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| date = January 13, 2021| url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/45258/lumbee-tribal-council-swear-in-new-scotland-rep| access-date = December 18, 2022}}</ref>

Scotland County lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 21st Prosecutorial District, the 16A [[North Carolina Superior Court|Superior Court]] District, and the 16A [[North Carolina District Courts|District Court]] District.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/scotland-county| title = Scotland County| publisher = North Carolina Judicial Branch| access-date = December 18, 2022}}</ref> County voters elect a sheriff. The sheriff's office provides law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of the county, maintains the Scotland County Detention Center, and provides security at the Scotland County Courthouse.<ref name= scso>{{cite web| url = https://scotlandcountysheriff.com/about-scso| title = About SCSO| publisher = Scotland County Sheriff's Office| access-date = December 18, 2022}}</ref>

===Politics===
{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
| <strong>Historical presidential election returns</strong>
|-
| {{PresHead|place=Scotland 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 17, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|7,767|6,754|105|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|7,473|7,186|116|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|6,256|7,319|353|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|5,831|8,215|110|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|6,005|8,151|61|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|5,141|6,386|20|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|3,740|5,627|36|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,858|4,870|571|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,980|5,175|1,205|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|3,199|3,865|20|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,077|4,028|12|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,133|4,446|203|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,932|4,430|22|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,485|1,938|49|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,717|2,252|2,016|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,229|3,844|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,279|3,643|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,171|3,042|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,590|2,912|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|359|1,957|503|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|303|2,372|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|250|2,981|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|314|3,183|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|208|2,608|6|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|588|1,761|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|205|1,469|11|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|306|1,705|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|137|938|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|9|751|75|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|85|714|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|65|646|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|44|925|2|North Carolina}}
|}

As of 2024, 45 percent of registered voters in Scotland County are Democrats, 21 percent are registered Republicans and 32 percent are unaffiliated.<ref name= rappaportweaver>{{cite news| last1 = Rappaport| first1 = Ben| last2 = Weaver| first2 = Kerria| title = Rural Black voters, including those in Scotland County, are key for Democrats in NC| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = February 20, 2024| url = https://borderbelt.org/democrats-focus-black-voters-nc-scotland-county/| access-date = March 1, 2024}}</ref> While the county has historically voted for Democratic candidates, in recent years it has become a [[Swing (politics)|swing]] county.<ref name= charlotteobserver/>{{sfn|Cooper|2024|p=35}} Like other areas in the region, the county's voting patterns have trended more favorably to Republicans.<ref name= rappaport1/> Democratic voter registration shares declined from 58 percent of the county's registered voters in 2016 to 48 percent in 2022, while Republican and unaffiliated voter registration rates increased.<ref name= charlotteobserver>{{cite news| title = Anatomy of a swing state: What these 6 counties tell us about the upcoming NC election| newspaper = The Charlotte Observer| date = November 4, 2022| url = https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article267776257.html| access-date = November 4, 2022}}</ref> Democratic presidential candidates [[Barack Obama]] and [[Hillary Clinton]] won the county in 2008, 2012, and 2016. In 2020, both Republican presidential candidate [[Donald Trump]] and Democratic gubernatorial candidate [[Roy Cooper]] secured a majority of its votes.<ref name= rappaport1>{{cite news| last = Rappaport | first = Ben| title = In rural Scotland County, voters say candidates must show up to gain their support| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = April 25, 2024| url = https://borderbelt.org/in-rural-scotland-county-voters-say-candidates-must-show-up-to-gain-their-support/| access-date = May 1, 2024}}</ref> In the 2024 elections, Republican presidential nominee Trump and Democratic gubernatorial nominee [[Josh Stein]] both won the county,<ref>{{cite news| last = Rappaport| first = Ben| title = Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = November 6, 2024| url = https://borderbelt.org/rural-southeastern-nc-picks-republican-candidates/| access-date = November 10, 2024}}</ref> while Republicans won a majority of the seats on the county commission.<ref name= rappaport2/>

==Economy==
Scotland County's economy is largely based in agriculture. Area farmers mostly grow corn, cotton, tobacco, and soybeans, and raise hogs. Forestry products including lumber and paper are also sourced in the county.<ref name= martin/> Manufacturing firms increased in the county after 1950.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=7}} The local manufacturing industry produces textiles, cabinet accessories, mobile homes, hospital equipment,<ref name= martin/> and automotive parts.<ref name= nguyen>{{cite news| last = Nguyen| first = Britney| title = Scotland County, halfway between Charlotte and the NC coast, looks to distribution| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = June 15, 2021| url = https://borderbelt.org/scotland-county-halfway-between-charlotte-and-the-nc-coast-looks-to-distribution/| access-date = July 21, 2022}}</ref> Following a national trend, manufacturing—especially in textiles—has declined since 2000, damaging the economy of the county.<ref name= elder/><ref name= frosch>{{cite news| last = Frosch| first = Dan| title = A Poor North Carolina County Is Counting on Trump for a Comeback| newspaper = Wall Street Journal| date = March 3, 2025| url = https://www.wsj.com/us-news/a-poor-north-carolina-county-is-counting-on-trump-for-a-comeback-f6f1c82b?st=aGYhBF&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink| access-date = March 5, 2025}}</ref> In the early 2020s retail grew along the [[U.S. Route 74]] corridor.<ref name= nguyen/> As of 2023, health care/social assistance, education, public administration, and manufacturing are the five highest-employing sectors in the county.<ref>{{cite news| last = Sinclair| first = Tomeka| title = Scotland County's 6.7% July unemployment rate tops figures across state| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| date = August 31, 2023| url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/260789/scotland-countys-6-7-july-unemployment-rate-tops-figures-across-state| access-date = September 3, 2023}}</ref> In its 2024 county economic tier ratings, the [[North Carolina Department of Commerce]] classified Scotland as the state's second-most economically distressed county.<ref name= skinner>{{cite web| last = Skinner| first = Victor| title = Edgecombe most distressed, Currituck the least in new tier designations| website = The Center Square| date = December 1, 2023| url = https://www.thecentersquare.com/north_carolina/article_95b82d3a-907e-11ee-9b07-d7a9397c4ff3.html| access-date = December 3, 2023}}</ref> It has long suffered from one of North Carolina's highest unemployment rates,<ref>{{cite news| last = Mildenberg| first = David| title = S.C. combat rations company adding 440 jobs in Scotland County| newspaper = Business North Carolina| date = October 18, 2022| url = https://businessnc.com/s-c-combat-rations-company-adding-440-jobs-in-scotland-county/| access-date = November 17, 2022}}</ref><ref name= nagemlaurinburg>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Here's how one North Carolina town is bringing its downtown back to life| newspaper = Border Belt Independent | date = March 24, 2022 | url = https://borderbelt.org/laurinburg-nc-revives-downtown/ | access-date = April 1, 2022}}</ref> with it having the highest rate at 5.6% in September 2024.<ref name= rappaport2>{{cite news| last = Rappaport| first = Ben| title = In major shift, Republicans gain majority on Scotland County Board of Commissioners| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = November 8, 2024| url = https://borderbelt.org/republicans-win-scotland-county-nc-commission/| access-date = November 10, 2024}}</ref> According to the American Community Survey, from 2017 to 2021 the estimated median household income was $39,866.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> The [[Child poverty in the United States|child poverty]] rate is 46 percent.<ref name=nagemhealth>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = The fight for better health (and health care) in rural North Carolina| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = May 9, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/fight-for-better-health-care-in-rural-nc/| access-date = November 28, 2022}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Laurel Hill, North Carolina (March 2023).jpg|thumb|[[U.S. Route 74]] in Laurel Hill]]
Scotland County will be served in the future by the two [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate Highways]] of [[Interstate 73 in North Carolina|Interstate 73]], planned to cross the county border for a short distance in the southwest;<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2011 |title=Interstate 73/74 Economic Atlas of North Carolina |url=https://www.ptrc.org/home/showpublisheddocument/211/636573374393630000 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=www.ptrc.org |pages=11, 12}}</ref><ref>{{cite map |author=South Carolina Department of Transportation |url=http://www.i73insc.com/download/northernpage/wallace.pdf |title=I-73 Northern Map |publisher=South Carolina Department of Transportation |inset=Wallace |access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref> and [[Interstate 74 in North Carolina|Interstate 74]], currently designated in the county as Future I-74.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 10, 2019 |title=New highway projects for Div. 8 added |url=https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/21684/new-highway-projects-for-div-8-added |access-date=December 20, 2022|newspaper=The Laurinburg Exchange |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="scocotrans">{{Cite web |title=Location & Transportation|url=https://www.scotlandcounty.org/475/Location-Transportation |access-date=December 20, 2022 |publisher=Scotland County Government}}</ref> The current highways serving the county are [[U.S. Route 15]] ([[U.S. Route 15 Business (Laurinburg, North Carolina)|Bus.]]),<ref name="scocotrans"/>{{sfn|Abuya|Davis|2017|pp=i, 2-5–2-6}} [[U.S. Route 74|US 74]] ([[Special routes of U.S. Route 74#Laurinburg–Maxton business loop|Bus.]]),<ref name="nguyen"/> [[U.S. Route 401|US 401]] ([[U.S. Route 401 Business (Laurinburg, North Carolina)|Bus.]]),<ref name="scocotrans"/><ref name="division8"/> [[U.S. Route 501|US 501]],<ref name="scocotrans"/> [[North Carolina Highway 71]],<ref>{{cite web| url = https://wpde.com/news/local/deputies-investigating-after-body-found-near-scotland-county-store-maxton-area-highway-71| title = Coroner identifies body found near Scotland County store| last = Brown| first = Tonya| date = September 20, 2022| website = WPDE| publisher = Sinclair Broadcast Group| access-date = December 20, 2022}}</ref> [[North Carolina Highway 79|NC 79]],{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=4}} [[North Carolina Highway 144|NC 44]],<ref name="division8">{{cite web| url = https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2018/2018-09-18-division-8-crews-clean-up.aspx| title = NCDOT Division 8 Crews Clean Up After Florence| date = September 18, 2018 | publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation| access-date = December 20, 2022}}</ref> and [[North Carolina Highway 381|NC 381]].{{sfn|LeGrand|2005|p=4}} County government supports a [[public transport bus service]], the Scotland County Area Transit System.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.scotlandcounty.org/464/Routes| title = Routes| publisher = Scotland County Government| access-date = December 20, 2022}}</ref> Airplane facilities are provided by the [[Laurinburg–Maxton Airport]].<ref name= nguyen/> Local railways are operated by [[CSX Transportation]] and the [[Laurinburg and Southern Railroad]].{{sfn|McCormick|2010|p=9}} The longest straight stretch of railroad track in the United States, spanning 78.86 miles, connects [[Wilmington, North Carolina|Wilmington]] to the east with the Scotland community of [[Old Hundred, North Carolina|Old Hundred]].{{sfn|Tyner|2005|p=34}}

==Education==
Scotland County Schools operates public schools in the area. As of 2023, the system operates 10 schools and serves 5,592 students.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.scotland.k12.nc.us/domain/31| title = About Us| publisher = Scotland County Schools|access-date = April 28, 2023}}</ref> The district was classified by the [[North Carolina Department of Public Instruction]] as low-performing in 2021,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.wnct.com/on-your-side/school-watch/these-are-ncs-lowest-performing-school-districts/| title = These are NC's lowest-performing school districts| last = Retana| first = Judith| date = September 1, 2021| website = WNCT| publisher = Nexstar Media Inc.| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref> but its rank improved past low-performing status in 2022.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://wpde.com/news/local/scotland-county-woman-talks-about-school-fight-son-hurt-hospitalized-violence-student-teachers-south-carolina| title = Scotland County woman talks about school fight that left her son badly hurt| last = Rowles| first = Courtney| date = November 18, 2022| website = WPDE| publisher = Sinclair Broadcast Group| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref> The county hosts a satellite campus of the [[Richmond Community College]] and the now defunct [[St. Andrews University (North Carolina)|St. Andrews University]], a private liberal arts school.<ref name= nguyen/><ref>{{cite web| url = https://visitnc-soul.com/our-colleges/| title = Schools and Colleges| website = Soul of the Carolinas| publisher = Scotland County Tourism Development Authority| access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref> According to the 2021 American Community Survey, an estimated 15.3 percent of county residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher level of education.<ref name= censusprofile>{{cite web| url = https://data.census.gov/profile/Scotland_County,_North_Carolina?g=0500000US37165| title = Scotland County, North Carolina| publisher = [[U.S. Census Bureau]]| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref>

==Healthcare==
Scotland County is served by a single hospital, Scotland Health Care System, based in Laurinburg.<ref>{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = How safe are the hospitals in North Carolina's Border Belt? New grades released| newspaper = Border Belt Independent | date = November 16, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/how-safe-are-the-hospitals-in-north-carolinas-border-belt-new-grades-released/| access-date = November 28, 2022}}</ref> According to the 2022 County Health Rankings produced by the [[University of Wisconsin]] Population Health Institute, Scotland County ranked 98th in health outcomes of North Carolina's 100 counties. Per the ranking, 28 percent of adults say they are in poor or fair health, the average [[life expectancy]] is 73 years, and 14 percent of people under the age of 65 lack [[health insurance]].<ref name=nagemhealth/>

==Culture==
[[File:Scotland County High School marching band.jpg|thumb|Scotland County High School's marching band, donning traditional Scottish garb]]
Many surnames, streets, and places in Scotland County reflect Scottish origins.{{sfn|Davis|2008|p=90}} Since 2008, the county has hosted an annual [[Scotland County Highland Games]] festival in homage to the heavy Scottish ancestry of its population.<ref>{{cite news| last = Locklear| first = Hunter| title = Highland Games will return to Scotland County in October| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| date = July 2, 2021| url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/50957/highland-games-will-return-to-scotland-county-in-october| access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://visitnc-soul.com/scotland-highlanders/| title = Scotland Highlanders| website = Soul of the Carolinas| publisher = Scotland County Tourism Development Authority| access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref> The Scotland County High School's sports teams are called the Fighting Scots and the school marching band wears traditional Scottish garb, including [[kilt]]s, [[sporran]]s, plaid shawls, and [[Glengarry]] bonnets.<ref>{{cite news| last = King| first = Katie| title = A Guide to Downtown Laurinburg| newspaper = Our State| date = January 26, 2022| url = https://www.ourstate.com/downtown-laurinburg/| access-date = December 13, 2022}}</ref> The county also hosts an annual Kuumba festival to celebrate African American heritage.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://visitnc-soul.com/african-american/| title = African American| website = Soul of the Carolinas| publisher = Scotland County Tourism Development Authority| access-date = December 4, 2022}}</ref> Several area buildings and sites [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Scotland County, North Carolina|have been listed]] on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.ncdcr.gov/about/history/division-historical-resources/state-historic-preservation-office/architectural-surveys-and-national-register-historic-places/north-carolina-national-register-historic-places/nc-listings-national-register-historic-places| title = NC Listings in the National Register of Historic Places| publisher = North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources| access-date = December 22, 2022}}</ref> Religion is a key part of local public life.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://archleague.org/article/lumbee-river-north-carolina-church-pandemic/| title = The Work of Faith: A Report on Rural Church Life in the Time of Pandemic| last = Capps| first = Tanner| publisher = Architectural League of New York| access-date = November 20, 2022}}</ref> Fishing is a popular recreational activity.{{sfn|Stewart|Stewart|2001|p=100}}

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Scotland County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|250px|Map of Scotland County with municipal and township labels]]

===City===
* [[Laurinburg, North Carolina|Laurinburg]] (county seat and largest community)<ref name= communities/>

===Towns===
* [[Gibson, North Carolina|Gibson]]<ref name= communities>{{cite web| url = https://www.scotlandcounty.org/509/Cities-Towns| title = Cities & Towns| website = Scotland County NC| publisher = Scotland County Government| access-date = December 18, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Maxton, North Carolina|Maxton]] (partially)<ref name= communities/>
* [[Wagram, North Carolina|Wagram]]<ref name= communities/>

===Townships===
* Laurel Hill{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}}
* Spring Hill{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}}
* Stewartsville{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}}
* Williamson{{sfn|Powell|1976|p=443}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Deercroft, North Carolina|Deercroft]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/2629367| title = Feature Details: Deercroft Census Designated Place| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Laurel Hill, Scotland County, North Carolina|Laurel Hill]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/2584324| title = Feature Details: Laurel Hill Census Designated Place| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Old Hundred, North Carolina|Old Hundred]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/2584328| title = Feature Details: Old Hundred Census Designated Place| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Scotch Meadows, North Carolina|Scotch Meadows]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/2629368| title = Feature Details: Scotch Meadows Census Designated Place| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref>

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[East Laurinburg, North Carolina|East Laurinburg]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.carolinajournal.com/east-laurinburg-charter-dissolved-after-massive-financial-mismanagement/| title = East Laurinburg charter dissolved for financial mismanagement| last = Marsh| first = Brayden| date = July 5, 2022| website = The Carolina Journal| publisher = John Locke Foundation| access-date = September 28, 2022}}</ref>
* [[Montclair, Scotland County, North Carolina|Montclair]]<ref>{{cite web| url = https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/summary/1005377| title = Feature Details: Montclair| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| access-date = December 19, 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Works cited==
* {{citation| last1 = Abuya| first1 = Michael| last2 = Davis | first2 = Wayne| url = https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/planning/TPBCTP/Scotland%20County/Scotland%20County%20CTP%20Report.pdf| title = 2016 Scotland County Comprehensive Transportation Plan| date = March 31, 2017| publisher = North Carolina Department of Transportation }}
* {{cite book | last = Barrett | first = John G. | title = The Civil War in North Carolina |location=Chapel Hill| publisher = University of North Carolina Press| year = 1995 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=N10JAA-NKtoC&pg=PP1| isbn = 978-0-8078-4520-2|edition=reprint}}
* {{cite book| last = Cooper| first = Christopher A.| title = Anatomy of a Purple State : A North Carolina Politics Primer| publisher = The University of North Carolina Press| date = 2024| location = Chapel Hill| isbn = 9781469681719}}
* {{cite book|last1=Covington|first1=Howard E. Jr|last2=Ellis|first2= Marion A.|title=Terry Sanford: Politics, Progress, and Outrageous Ambitions|publisher=Duke University Press|location=Durham|year=1999|isbn=978-0-8223-2356-3|url=https://archive.org/details/terrysanfordpoli00covi|url-access=registration}}
* {{Cite book|last=Davis|first=Anita Price|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yff7WOyNRy8C|title=New Deal Art in North Carolina: The Murals, Sculptures, Reliefs, Paintings, Oils and Frescoes and Their Creators|date=2008|location=Jefferson|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-3779-5|language=en}}
* {{Citation| last = LeGrand| first = Harry E. Jr.| title = An Inventory of the Significant Natural Areas of Scotland County, North Carolina | location = Raleigh| publisher = Office of Conservation and Community Affairs, Department of Environment and Natural Resources| date = May 2005| url = https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p249901coll22/id/190620|oclc=61287274}}
* {{cite book| last = Lowery| first = Malinda Maynor| title = The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle| publisher = UNC Press Books| date = 2018| location = Chapel Hill| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9_5mDwAAQBAJ| isbn = 978-1-4696-4638-1}}
* {{cite book| last = Marks| first = Stuart A.| title = Southern Hunting in Black and White: Nature, History, and Ritual in a Carolina Community| publisher = Princeton University Press| date = 2021|edition=reprint| location = Princeton| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sucSEAAAQBAJ| isbn = 978-0-691-22686-6}}
* {{Citation| last = McCormick| first = Leslie Purcell| title = Scotland County Working Lands Protection Plan | publisher = North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality| date = January 2010| url = https://umo.edu/wp-content/uploads/Scotland-County-Working-Lands-Protection-Plan.pdf}}
* {{cite book| last = Powell| first = William S.| title = The North Carolina Gazetteer: A Dictionary of Tar Heel Places| publisher = The University of North Carolina Press| date = 1976| location = Chapel Hill| isbn = 978-0-8078-1247-1}}
* {{cite book| last1 = Stewart| first1 = John Douglas| last2 = Stewart| first2 = Sara| title = Scotland County| publisher = Arcadia Publishing| date = 2001| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=uXcBFupcJwUC | isbn = 978-0-7385-1358-4}}
* {{cite book| last = Tyner| first = K. Blake| title = Robeson County in Vintage Postcards| publisher = Arcadia Publishing| date = 2005| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mE33n5J0Y6kC |isbn = 978-0-7385-4162-4}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2528743}}
* {{Official website|http://www.scotlandcounty.org/}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Scotland County, North Carolina
|North     = [[Moore County, North Carolina|Moore County]]
|Northeast = [[Hoke County, North Carolina|Hoke County]]
|East      =
|Southeast = [[Robeson County, North Carolina|Robeson County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Marlboro County, South Carolina]]
|West      =
|Northwest = [[Richmond County, North Carolina|Richmond County]]
}}
{{Scotland County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Scotland County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:Scottish-American culture in North Carolina]]
[[Category:1899 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1899]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in North Carolina]]