List of counties in North Carolina List List

| County | FIPS_Code | County_Seat | Created | Origin | Etymology | Population_estimate_2011 | Area_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buncombe County | 021 | Asheville | 1791 | Burke County and Rutherford County | Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Germantown, and died a paroled prisoner in Philadelphia | 241419 | 660 sq mi , (1,709 km2) |
| Burke County | 023 | Morganton | 1777 | Rowan County | Thomas Burke (1747–1783), a member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina | 90904 | 515 sq mi , (1,334 km2) |
| Cabarrus County | 025 | Concord | 1792 | Mecklenburg County | Stephen Cabarrus (1754–1808), member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons | 181468 | 365 sq mi , (945 km2) |
| Caldwell County | 027 | Lenoir | 1841 | Burke County and Wilkes County | Joseph Caldwell (1773–1835), the first president of the University of North Carolina | 82395 | 474 sq mi , (1,228 km2) |