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text: List of counties in North Carolina
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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Alamance County 001 Graham 1849 Orange County The Battle of Alamance which was derived from the local Native American word meaning blue clay found in the Great Alamance Creek 153291 435 sq mi , (1,127 km2)
Alexander County 003 Taylorsville 1847 Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County William J. Alexander, member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons 37087 263 sq mi , (681 km2)

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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)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Beaufort County 013 Washington 1712 Original county Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, who in 1709 became one of the Lords Proprietor 47691 959 sq mi , (2,484 km2)
Bertie County 015 Windsor 1722 Chowan County James or Henry Bertie, two Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina 20874 741 sq mi , (1,919 km2)
Bladen County 017 Elizabethtown 1734 New Hanover County Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade 35190 887 sq mi , (2,297 km2)
Brunswick County 019 Bolivia 1764 Bladen County and New Hanover County George I of Great Britain (1660–1727), Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg 110097 1,050 sq mi , (2,719 km2)

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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)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Camden County 029 Camden 1777 Pasquotank County Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (1714–1794), who opposed the taxation of the American colonists 10014 306 sq mi , (793 km2)
Carteret County 031 Beaufort 1722 Craven County John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret 67373 1,341 sq mi , (3,473 km2)
Caswell County 033 Yanceyville 1777 Orange County Richard Caswell (1729–1789), member of the first Continental Congress and first governor of North Carolina after the Declaration of Independence 23403 428 sq mi , (1,109 km2)
Catawba County 035 Newton 1842 Lincoln County Catawba Nation 154181 414 sq mi , (1,072 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Chatham County 037 Pittsboro 1771 Orange County William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain 64195 709 sq mi , (1,836 km2)
Cherokee County 039 Murphy 1839 Macon County Cherokee Nation 27194 497 sq mi , (1,287 km2)
Chowan County 041 Edenton 1668 Albemarle County Chowan Native American tribe 14831 233 sq mi , (603 km2)
Clay County 043 Hayesville 1861 Cherokee County Henry Clay (1777–1852), statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate 10563 221 sq mi , (572 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Cleveland County 045 Shelby 1841 Lincoln County and Rutherford County Benjamin Cleveland (1738–1806), a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain 97489 469 sq mi , (1,215 km2)
Columbus County 047 Whiteville 1808 Bladen County and Brunswick County Christopher Columbus (1451–1507), navigator, explorer, and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas 57712 954 sq mi , (2,471 km2)
Craven County 049 New Bern 1705 Bath County William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (1608–1697), who was a Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina 104786 774 sq mi , (2,005 km2)
Cumberland County 051 Fayetteville 1754 Bladen County Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (1721–1765), a military leader and son of George II 324885 658 sq mi , (1,704 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Currituck County 053 Currituck 1668 Albemarle County Traditionally said to be an American Indian word for wild geese, also rendered Coratank 23955 526 sq mi , (1,362 km2)
Dare County 055 Manteo 1870 Currituck County, Hyde County, and Tyrrell County Virginia Dare (b. 1587), the first child born of English parents in America 34307 1,562 sq mi , (4,046 km2)
Davidson County 057 Lexington 1822 Rowan County William Lee Davidson (1746–1781), an American Revolutionary War general who was mortally wounded at Cowan`s Ford 162695 567 sq mi , (1,469 km2)
Davie County 059 Mocksville 1836 Rowan County William Richardson Davie (1756–1820), a member of the Federal Convention and governor of North Carolina 41552 267 sq mi , (692 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Duplin County 061 Kenansville 1750 New Hanover County Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin (1710–1787), who was the 9th Earl of Kinnoull 59542 819 sq mi , (2,121 km2)
Durham County 063 Durham 1881 Orange County and Wake County The city of Durham which was named in honor of Dr. Bartlett Snipes Durham who donated the land on which the railroad station was located 273392 298 sq mi , (772 km2)
Edgecombe County 065 Tarboro 1741 Bertie County Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe (1680–1758), a Lord High Treasurer and Paymaster-General for Ireland 56041 507 sq mi , (1,313 km2)
Forsyth County 067 Winston-Salem 1849 Stokes County Benjamin Forsyth (d. 1814), an American officer during the War of 1812 354952 413 sq mi , (1,070 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Franklin County 069 Louisburg 1779 Bute County Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), an author, politician, statesman, and Founding Father of the United States 61140 495 sq mi , (1,282 km2)
Gaston County 071 Gastonia 1846 Lincoln County William Gaston (1778–1844), a United States Congressman and justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court 207031 364 sq mi , (943 km2)
Gates County 073 Gatesville 1779 Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans County Horatio Gates (1727–1806), an American general during the Revolution at the Battle of Saratoga 12043 346 sq mi , (896 km2)
Graham County 075 Robbinsville 1872 Cherokee County William Alexander Graham (1804–1875), a United States Senator, governor of North Carolina, and United States Secretary of the Navy 8802 302 sq mi , (782 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Granville County 077 Oxford 1746 Edgecombe County John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (1690–1763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret 59976 537 sq mi , (1,391 km2)
Greene County 079 Snow Hill 1799 Dobbs County , Originally named Glasgow County Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War 21556 266 sq mi , (689 km2)
Guilford County 081 Greensboro 1771 Orange County and Rowan County Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford (1704–1790), a British politician and father of Prime Minister of Great Britain Frederick North 495279 658 sq mi , (1,704 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Halifax County 083 Halifax 1758 Edgecombe County George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716–1771), a British statesman and President of the Board of Trade 54173 731 sq mi , (1,893 km2)
Harnett County 085 Lillington 1855 Cumberland County Cornelius Harnett (1723–1781), an American Revolutionary and delegate in the Continental Congress 119256 601 sq mi , (1,557 km2)
Haywood County 087 Waynesville 1808 Buncombe County John Haywood (1754–1827), a North Carolina State Treasurer 58855 555 sq mi , (1,437 km2)
Henderson County 089 Hendersonville 1838 Buncombe County Leonard Henderson (1772–1833), Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court 107927 375 sq mi , (971 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Hertford County 091 Winton 1759 Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford (1718–1794), who was Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and George III 24433 360 sq mi , (932 km2)
Hoke County 093 Raeford 1911 Cumberland County and Robeson County Robert Hoke (1837–1912), a Confederate general during the American Civil War 49272 392 sq mi , (1,015 km2)
Hyde County 095 Swan Quarter 1712 Original county , Originally named Wickham County Edward Hyde (c. 1650–1712), a governor of colonial North Carolina 5822 1,424 sq mi , (3,688 km2)
Iredell County 097 Statesville 1788 Rowan County James Iredell (1751–1799), a comptroller at the port of Edenton and one of the original justices of the Supreme Court of the United States 161202 597 sq mi , (1,546 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Jackson County 099 Sylva 1851 Haywood County and Macon County Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), the 7th President of the United States 40285 494 sq mi , (1,279 km2)
Johnston County 101 Smithfield 1746 Craven County Gabriel Johnston (1699–1752), a governor of colonial North Carolina 172595 796 sq mi , (2,062 km2)
Jones County 103 Trenton 1778 Craven County Willie Jones (1740–1801), opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and declined an invitation to the Constitutional Convention 10020 473 sq mi , (1,225 km2)
Lee County 105 Sanford 1907 Chatham County and Moore County Robert E. Lee (1807–1870), a career United States Army officer and general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War 58752 259 sq mi , (671 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Lenoir County 107 Kinston 1791 Dobbs County , Originally named Glasgow County William Lenoir (1751–1839), a captain in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain 59339 402 sq mi , (1,041 km2)
Lincoln County 109 Lincolnton 1779 Tryon County Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a major general during the American Revolutionary War who participated in the Siege of Yorktown 78932 307 sq mi , (795 km2)
McDowell County 111 Marion 1842 Burke County and Rutherford County Joseph McDowell (1756–1801), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain 45104 446 sq mi , (1,155 km2)
Macon County 113 Franklin 1828 Haywood County Nathaniel Macon (1758–1837), a member and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives 34074 519 sq mi , (1,344 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Madison County 115 Marshall 1851 Buncombe County and Yancey County James Madison (1751–1836), the 4th President of the United States 20816 452 sq mi , (1,171 km2)
Martin County 117 Williamston 1774 Halifax County and Tyrrell County Josiah Martin (1737–1786), the last governor of colonial North Carolina 24180 461 sq mi , (1,194 km2)
Mecklenburg County 119 Charlotte 1762 Anson County Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818), the queen consort of George III of the United Kingdom 944373 546 sq mi , (1,414 km2)
Mitchell County 121 Bakersville 1861 Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County Elisha Mitchell (1793–1857), a professor at the University of North Carolina who measured the height of Mount Mitchell 15445 222 sq mi , (575 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Montgomery County 123 Troy 1779 Anson County Richard Montgomery (1738–1775), a major general during the Revolutionary War who was killed at the Battle of Quebec 27667 502 sq mi , (1,300 km2)
Moore County 125 Carthage 1784 Cumberland County Alfred Moore (1755–1810), a captain in the Revolutionary War and justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 89352 706 sq mi , (1,829 km2)
Nash County 127 Nashville 1777 Edgecombe County Francis Nash (1742–1777), a brigadier general in the Revolutionary War who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Germantown 96116 543 sq mi , (1,406 km2)
New Hanover County 129 Wilmington 1729 Craven County The royal family of England, members of the House of Hanover 206189 328 sq mi , (850 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Northampton County 131 Jackson 1741 Bertie County James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton (1687–1754), a British peer and politician 21893 551 sq mi , (1,427 km2)
Onslow County 133 Jacksonville 1734 New Hanover County Arthur Onslow (1691–1768), Speaker of the British House of Commons 179716 909 sq mi , (2,354 km2)
Orange County 135 Hillsborough 1752 Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County William V, Prince of Orange (1748–1806), the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic 135755 401 sq mi , (1,039 km2)
Pamlico County 137 Bayboro 1872 Beaufort County and Craven County Pamlico Sound and the Pamlico Native American tribe 13197 566 sq mi , (1,466 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Pasquotank County 139 Elizabeth City 1668 Albemarle County Derived from the Native American word pasketanki which meant where the current of the stream divides or forks 40696 289 sq mi , (749 km2)
Pender County 141 Burgaw 1875 New Hanover County William Dorsey Pender (1834–1863), Confederate soldier who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg of the American Civil War 53399 933 sq mi , (2,416 km2)
Perquimans County 143 Hertford 1668 Albemarle County Perquimans Native American tribe 13487 329 sq mi , (852 km2)
Person County 145 Roxboro 1791 Caswell County Thomas Person, an American Revolutionary War patriot 39637 404 sq mi , (1,046 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Pitt County 147 Greenville 1760 Beaufort County William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (1708–1778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain 171134 655 sq mi , (1,696 km2)
Polk County 149 Columbus 1855 Henderson County and Rutherford County William Polk (1758–1834), officer in the American Revolutionary War and first president of the State Bank of North Carolina 20256 239 sq mi , (619 km2)
Randolph County 151 Asheboro 1779 Guilford County Peyton Randolph (c. 1721–1755), the first President of the Continental Congress 142358 790 sq mi , (2,046 km2)
Richmond County 153 Rockingham 1779 Anson County Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond (1735–1806), a firm supporter of the American colonists and advocated removal of British troops 46611 480 sq mi , (1,243 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Robeson County 155 Lumberton 1787 Bladen County Thomas Robeson, an officer in the American Revolutionary War 135517 951 sq mi , (2,463 km2)
Rockingham County 157 Wentworth 1785 Guilford County Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730–1782), a British statesmen and two-time Prime Minister of Great Britain 93329 572 sq mi , (1,481 km2)
Rowan County 159 Salisbury 1753 Anson County Matthew Rowan (d. 1769), was the acting Governor of colonial North Carolina following the death of Governor Nathaniel Rice 138019 524 sq mi , (1,357 km2)
Rutherford County 161 Rutherfordton 1779 Tryon County Griffith Rutherford (c. 1721–1805), an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a political leader in North Carolina 67538 566 sq mi , (1,466 km2)

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Sampson County 163 Clinton 1784 Duplin County John Sampson, a member of Josiah Martin`s council 63734 947 sq mi , (2,453 km2)
Scotland County 165 Laurinburg 1899 Richmond County The country Scotland, part of the United Kingdom 35861 321 sq mi , (831 km2)
Stanly County 167 Albemarle 1841 Montgomery County John Stanly (1774–1834), a United States Congressman and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons 60636 404 sq mi , (1,046 km2)
Stokes County 169 Danbury 1789 Surry County John Stokes, a soldier of the Revolution who was seriously wounded at the Waxhaw massacre 47242 456 sq mi , (1,181 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Surry County 171 Dobson 1771 Rowan County The county of Surrey in England, birthplace of then governor William Tryon 73714 538 sq mi , (1,393 km2)
Swain County 173 Bryson City 1871 Jackson County and Macon County David Lowry Swain (1801–1868), a governor of North Carolina and president of the University of North Carolina 14043 541 sq mi , (1,401 km2)
Transylvania County 175 Brevard 1861 Henderson County and Jackson County Derived from the Latin words, trans meaning across and sylva meaning woods 32820 381 sq mi , (987 km2)
Tyrrell County 177 Columbia 1729 Chowan County, Currituck County, and Pasquotank County John Tyrrell, at one time was a Lords Proprietor 4364 600 sq mi , (1,554 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Union County 179 Monroe 1842 Anson County and Mecklenburg County Created as a compromise after a dispute between local Whigs and Democrats as to whether it should be named Clay or Jackson county 205463 640 sq mi , (1,658 km2)
Vance County 181 Henderson 1881 Franklin County, Granville County, and Warren County Zebulon Baird Vance (1830–1894), a Confederate military officer in the American Civil War, twice governor of North Carolina, and United States Senator 45307 270 sq mi , (699 km2)
Wake County 183 Raleigh 1771 Cumberland County, Johnston County, and Orange County Margaret Wake, the wife of British colonial governor William Tryon 929780 857 sq mi , (2,220 km2)

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County FIPS_Code County_Seat Created Origin Etymology Population_estimate_2011 Area_
Warren County 185 Warrenton 1779 Bute County Joseph Warren (1741–1775), a Patriot and volunteer private who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill 20861 444 sq mi , (1,150 km2)
Washington County 187 Plymouth 1799 Tyrrell County George Washington (1732–1799), the 1st President of the United States 12973 424 sq mi , (1,098 km2)
Watauga County 189 Boone 1849 Ashe County, Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County The Watauga River, which came from a Native American word meaning beautiful water 51333 313 sq mi , (811 km2)
Wayne County 191 Goldsboro 1779 Dobbs County , Originally named Glasgow County Anthony Wayne (1745–1796), a general in the American Revolutionary War 123697 557 sq mi , (1,443 km2)

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Wilkes County 193 Wilkesboro 1777 Surry County John Wilkes (1725–1797), an English radical, journalist and politician 68984 760 sq mi , (1,968 km2)
Wilson County 195 Wilson 1855 Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash County, and Wayne County Louis D. Wilson, a state legislator from Edgecombe County who died of fever at Veracruz during the Mexican-American War 81452 374 sq mi , (969 km2)
Yadkin County 197 Yadkinville 1850 Surry County The Yadkin River 38279 337 sq mi , (873 km2)
Yancey County 199 Burnsville 1833 Buncombe County and Burke County Bartlett Yancey (1785–1828), a United States Congressman, Speaker of the North Carolina Senate, and early advocate for the North Carolina Public School System 17701 313 sq mi , (811 km2)

Question: Among North Carolina counties other than Mecklenburg, which county has the largest population?