Caldwell County is a county in North Carolina, United States, on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ foothills. It had a population of 80,652 at the 2020 census and covers 474.61 square miles (1,229 km2), of which 471.89 square miles (1,222 km2) is land, centred near 35\u00b058\u2032N 81\u00b031\u2032W.<\/p>\n
Lenoir is the county seat, and its postal code is 28645. The county has seven incorporated towns and a village, along with dozens of unincorporated communities. It sits in the Eastern time zone and carries FIPS code 37027.<\/p>\n
Caldwell County has one city, six towns, and one village, plus a long list of unincorporated communities and rural crossroads scattered through the county’s foothill valleys. In the table below, “Unincorp.” marks a place with no municipal government of its own.<\/p>\n
| Place<\/th>\n | Type<\/th>\n | Pop.<\/th>\n | ZIP<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenoir<\/td>\n | City · seat<\/td>\n | 18,263<\/td>\n | 28645, 28633<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Granite Falls<\/td>\n | Town<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28630<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Hudson<\/td>\n | Town<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28638<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sawmills<\/td>\n | Town<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28645<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cajah’s Mountain<\/td>\n | Town<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28645<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Gamewell<\/td>\n | Town<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28645<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Rhodhiss<\/td>\n | Town<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28667<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cedar Rock<\/td>\n | Village<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Collettsville<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28611<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Patterson<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | 28661<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Yadkin Valley<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grandin<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Legerwood<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Globe<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Dudley Shoals<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mulberry<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Happy Valley<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fort Defiance<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mortimer<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Edgemont<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Buffalo Cove<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Kings Creek<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Finley<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Draco<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Whitnel<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| West Lenoir<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Valmead<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Hartland<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mount Herman<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cloverdale<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cedar Valley<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cedar Rock Estates<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Piney<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Warrior<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Rufus<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Joyceton<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Olivette<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Abingdon<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Baton<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Smokey Creek<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Brown Mountain Beach<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Adako<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Charlesmont<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grace Chapel<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Northlakes<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Oak Hill<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Pinehurst<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Pinewood<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Blowing Rock Estates<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Berkshire Hills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cherokee Woods<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Forest Hills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Gamewell Heights<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Hampton Heights<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Heritage Hills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Indian Hills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Laurel Hollow<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Maple Grove<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Maple Valley<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mayfield<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Queens Acres<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Rambling Acres<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Richland<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Spencer Heights<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sycamore Acres<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Town and Country<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Tranquil Hill<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Tremont Park<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Upton<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Auld Farm<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Bailey Camp<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Beacon Hills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| British Woods<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Calico Place<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cloverhill Plantation<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Corola Hills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fairway Acres<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Falcon Crest<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grand View Park<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Granville Terrace<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Honey Hill<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Johnson Development<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| LeMar Park<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Mountain View Development<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| North Lakes<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Oakmont Estates<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Old Farm<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Petra Mills<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Pineburr<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| The Forest at Blowing Rock<\/td>\n | Unincorp.<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n | —<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n Rhodhiss also has a slice of its town limits across the Catawba River in neighbouring Burke County, so its full population is not counted entirely within Caldwell. Rutherford College, a town mostly seated in Burke County, extends into southern Caldwell but is not included above since the bulk of its population and government sit outside the county.<\/p>\n ZIP Codes<\/h2>\nCajah’s Mountain, Gamewell, and Sawmills sit within the Lenoir (28645) ZIP rather than carrying a ZIP code of their own.<\/p>\n Geography<\/h2>\nCaldwell County sits where the Blue Ridge Mountains meet the Piedmont, so its terrain runs from rolling foothill valleys in the east to steep mountain slopes in the northwest, where Grandfather Mountain’s ridgeline forms part of the county line. The Catawba River and its reservoir, Lake Rhodhiss, cross the southeastern part of the county, and Wilson Creek, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, drains the mountainous northwest.<\/p>\n Caldwell County borders Watauga County<\/a> to the north, Wilkes County<\/a> to the northeast, Alexander County<\/a> to the east, Catawba County<\/a> to the southeast, Burke County to the south, and Avery County<\/a> to the west.<\/p>\n Caldwell County had a population of 80,652 at the 2020 census, for a density of about 171 people per square mile. Lenoir, the county seat, is by far the largest community; Granite Falls and Hudson are the next-largest towns. The county’s median household income runs below the North Carolina median of $70,804, consistent with its long-declining furniture- and textile-manufacturing base.<\/p>\n Caldwell County was historically a national center of furniture manufacturing, home to Broyhill Furniture Industries, and the industry still employs a meaningful share of the workforce alongside healthcare (Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir) and county and municipal government. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, based in Lenoir with a satellite campus in Watauga County, is a major regional trainer. Tourism tied to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Wilson Creek’s whitewater and hiking trails, and nearby Blowing Rock draws visitors to the county’s western end.<\/p>\n Caldwell County was formed in 1841 from parts of Wilkes and Burke counties and named for Joseph Caldwell, the first president of the University of North Carolina. Lenoir, the county seat, was named for General William Lenoir, a Revolutionary War officer. The county’s economy shifted from agriculture to furniture and textile manufacturing in the late 19th and 20th centuries, a legacy still visible in Lenoir’s historic furniture-district buildings.<\/p>\n US 321 is the county’s main north-south corridor, connecting Lenoir to Hickory to the south and Blowing Rock and Boone to the north; US 64 and US 221 also cross the county, and NC 18, NC 90, and NC 268 link the smaller towns.<\/p>\n The nearest commercial airport is Hickory Regional Airport; Charlotte Douglas International Airport, about 75 miles southeast, offers the nearest major air service.<\/p>\n Where is Caldwell County, North Carolina?<\/strong> What is the population of Caldwell County?<\/strong> How big is Caldwell County?<\/strong> What is the county seat of Caldwell County?<\/strong> How many towns are in Caldwell County?<\/strong> What ZIP codes are in Caldwell County?<\/strong> |