JOHNSTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

'Johnston County' is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 121,965. Its county seat is Smithfield ⁶.

History

The county was formed in 1746 from Craven County. It was named for Gabriel Johnston, Governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752.
In 1752 parts of Johnston County, Bladen County, and Granville County were combined to form Orange County. In 1758 the eastern part of Johnston County became Dobbs County. In 1770 parts of Johnston County, Cumberland County, and Orange County were combined to form Wake County. Finally, in 1855 parts of Johnston County, Edgecombe County, Nash County, and Wayne County were combined to form Wilson County.

Law and government

Johnston County is a member of the regional Triangle J Council of Governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,061 km² (796 mi²). 2,051 km² (792 mi²) of it is land and 10 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.50%) is water.

Events

Johnston County is home to the Ava Gardner Film Festival held this year on Sept. 28, 29 and 30 in downtown Smithfield. The AGFF will screen 40 plus independent films, operate 4 theaters, including the historic Howell Theater, The Smithfield Public Library Theater, The Ava Gardner Museum Theater and the Third Street Theater. At the screenings there will be World premiers, East Coast premiers and North Carolina premiers. There will also be workshops, panels and Q & A sessions with filmmakers from all NC and California. The AGFF is part of the Ava Gardner Festival which is an annual event to celebrate the life of Ava Gardner. Visit http://www.myspace.com/AvaGardnerFilmFestival and http://www.AvaGardner.org

Townships

The county is divided into seventeen townships: Banner, Bentonville, Beulah, Boon Hill, Clayton, Cleveland, Elevation, Ingrams, Meadow, Micro, O'Neals, Pine Level, Pleasant Grove, Selma, Smithfield, Wilders, and Wilson Mills.

Adjacent Counties

★ Nash County, North Carolina - north-northeast

★ Wilson County, North Carolina - northeast

★ Wayne County, North Carolina - southeast

★ Sampson County, North Carolina - south

★ Harnett County, North Carolina - southwest

★ Wake County, North Carolina - northwest

Major Highways

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Interstate 40

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Interstate 95

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U.S. Highway 70

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U.S. Highway 301

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U.S. Highway 701

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 121,965 people, 46,595 households, and 33,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 59/km² (154/mi²). There were 50,196 housing units at an average density of 24/km² (63/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 78.09% White, 15.65% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 4.53% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. 7.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 46,595 households out of which 35.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 23.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 34.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,872, and the median income for a family was $48,599. Males had a median income of $33,008 versus $25,582 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,788. About 8.90% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 19.40% of those age 65 or over.