List of counties in North Carolina List List

| County | FIPS_Code | County_Seat | Created | Origin | Etymology | Population_estimate_2011 | Area_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleghany County | 005 | Sparta | 1859 | Ashe County | Derived from a corruption of the Delaware Indian name for the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers and is said to have meant a fine stream | 11052 | 236 sq mi , (611 km2) |
| Anson County | 007 | Wadesboro | 1750 | Bladen County | George, Lord Anson (1697–1762), a celebrated English admiral who circumnavigated the globe | 26143 | 537 sq mi , (1,391 km2) |
| Ashe County | 009 | Jefferson | 1799 | Wilkes County | Samuel Ashe (1725–1813), a Revolutionary patriot, superior court judge, and governor of North Carolina | 27143 | 427 sq mi , (1,106 km2) |
| Avery County | 011 | Newland | 1911 | Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County | Waightstill Avery (1741–1821), a soldier of the Revolution and Attorney General of North Carolina | 17572 | 247 sq mi , (640 km2) |