Anson County, North Carolina

Anson County, North Carolina
Anson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,055. Its county seat is Wadesboro.
History
Anson County was originally occupied by the Catawba Siouan tribe as a vast territory with indefinite northern and western boundaries.
The county was formed in 1750 from Bladen County. It was named for George Anson, Baron Anson, a British admiral who circumnavigated the world. Anson purchased land in the state.
Reductions to its extent began in 1753, when the northern part of it became Rowan County. In 1762 the western part of Anson County became Mecklenburg County. In 1779 the northern part of what remained of Anson County became Montgomery County, and the part east of the Pee Dee River became Richmond County. Finally, in 1842 the western part of Anson County was combined with the southeastern part of Mecklenburg County to become Union County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.05%) is water.
National protected area
Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge (part)
State and local protected areas/sites
Arrowhead Lake
Gaddy Covered Bridge
Pee Dee River Game Land (part)
Wadesboro Downtown Historic District
Major water bodies
Blewett Falls Lake
Brown Creek
Goulds Fork
Great Pee Dee River
Lanes Creek
Rocky River
Thoroughfare Creek
Adjacent counties
Stanly County – north
Montgomery County – northeast
Richmond County – east
Chesterfield County, South Carolina – south
Union County – west
Major highways
(future bypass of Wadesboro)
Major infrastructure
Anson County Airport
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 22,055 people, 9,521 households, and 5,809 families residing in the county.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 26,948 people. The racial makeup of the county was 48.58% African American, 47.15% White American, 1.07% Asian, 0.61% Native American, 1.25% multiracial and 1.32% of other race. People of Hispanic and Latino origin account for 3.02% of the population.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 25,275 people, 9,204 households, and 6,663 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,221 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 51.64% Black or African American, 48.53% White, 0.45% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,204 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.80% were married couples living together, 19.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,849, and the median income for a family was $35,870. Males had a median income of $27,297 versus $20,537 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,853. About 15.50% of families and 17.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.90% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
The board of commissioners appoint a county manager who oversees county administration and implements the policies of the board.
Anson County is a member of the regional Centralina Council of Governments.
Anson County, like several neighboring rural counties, has historically favored Democratic candidates in most elections. After 2012, Republicans enjoyed more electoral success in the region, though Anson County voted more Democratic than its neighbors. The county favored a Republican candidate for federal office in 2022—the first time since 1972.
Education
There are 11 schools in the Anson County Schools system that serve the students of the county.
South Piedmont Community College has a campus on Highway 74 near Polkton that serves Anson County residents.
Communities
Towns
Ansonville
Lilesville
McFarlan
Morven
Peachland
Polkton
Wadesboro (county seat and largest community)
Unincorporated communities
Burnsville
Fountain Hill
Lowrys
Pee Dee
Townships
Ansonville
Burnsville
Gulledge
Lanesboro
Lilesville
Morven
Wadesboro
White Store
Ghost town
Sneedsboro
Population ranking
The population ranking is based on a 2023 estimate of Anson County.
† = county seat
Notable people
Stephone Anthony (born 1992), linebacker with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL
Hugh Hammond Bennett (1881–1960), soil conservation specialist
John Culpepper (1761–1841), United States Congressman from North Carolina, and long-tenured Baptist minister
Blind Boy Fuller (1907–1941), American blues guitarist and vocalist
James Holland (1754–1823), United States Congressman from North Carolina
Juanita Moody (1924–2015), cryptographer whose intelligence gathering contributed greatly during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Leonidas Lafayette Polk (1837–1892), first North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture
Sylvester Ritter (1952–1998), professional wrestler also known as "The Junkyard Dog" or "JYD"
In popular culture
Steven Spielberg filmed The Color Purple mostly in Lilesville, and a large white farmhouse (the Huntley House, which is located in Lilesville and is an old farmhouse located few miles off U.S. Route 74) was used extensively as the main exterior location in that film.
See also
List of counties in North Carolina
National Register of Historic Places listings in Anson County, North Carolina
Anson County Regiment, militia in the American Revolution
References
Works cited
External links
1750 establishments in North Carolina
Populated places established in 1750
Majority-minority counties in North Carolina