Maps of North Carolina are a very helpful tool when it comes to ancestral and family history research, notably in the event that you live far away from where your ancestor lived.
Since North Carolina’s political borders have often changed over the years, historic maps are important in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor’s home, just what land they owned, exactly who his or her neighbors ended up being, and a lot more besides.
Maps of North Carolina are an outstanding resource for getting started with your own research because they give fascinating information and facts immediately, and present them in a clearly understandable format.
North Carolina borders Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. North Carolina’s 10 largest cities are Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, and Greenville.
Learn more historical facts about North Carolina counties here.
Interactive Map of North Carolina County Formation History
AniMap Plus 3.0, with the permission of the Goldbug Company
List of Every North Carolina County
Alamance County
Established in 1849, Alamance County has a population of approximately 170,000 people. It is located in the central region of the state.
Alexander County
Established in 1847, Alexander County is home to around 38,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state.
Alleghany County
Founded in 1859, Alleghany County has a population of about 11,000 people. It is situated in the northwestern part of North Carolina.
Anson County
Established in 1750, Anson County has a population of approximately 25,000 residents. It is located in the southern part of the state.
Ashe Count
Founded in 1799, Ashe County is home to around 27,000 people. It is situated in the northwestern part of North Carolina.
Avery County
Established in 1911, Avery County has a population of about 17,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state.
Beaufort County
Established in 1741, Beaufort County has a population of approximately 47,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina.
Bertie County
Founded in 1722, Bertie County is home to around 19,000 residents. It is located in the northeastern part of the state.
Bladen County
Established in 1734, Bladen County has a population of about 33,000 people. It is situated in the southeastern part of North Carolina.
Brunswick County
Founded in 1764, Brunswick County is home to around 140,000 people. It is located in the southeastern part of the state.
Buncombe County
Established in 1791, Buncombe County has a population of approximately 260,000 people. It is situated in the western part of North Carolina.
Burke County
Founded in 1777, Burke County is home to around 90,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state.
Cabarrus County
Established in 1792, Cabarrus County has a population of about 220,000 people. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina.
Caldwell County
Founded in 1841, Caldwell County is home to around 82,000 people. It is located in the western part of the state.
Camden County
Established in 1777, Camden County has a population of approximately 11,000 residents. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Carteret County
Founded in 1722, Carteret County is home to around 70,000 people. It is located in the eastern part of the state.
Caswell County
Established in 1777, Caswell County has a population of about 24,000 people. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina.
Catawba County
Founded in 1842, Catawba County is home to around 160,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state.
Chatham County
Established in 1771, Chatham County has a population of approximately 70,000 people. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina.
Cherokee County
Founded in 1839, Cherokee County is home to around 28,000 people. It is located in the southwestern part of the state.
Cleveland County
Established in 1841, Cleveland County has a population of about 100,000 people. It is situated in the southwestern part of the state.
Columbus County
Founded in 1808, Columbus County is home to around 55,000 people. It is located in the southeastern part of North Carolina.
Craven County
Established in 1712, Craven County has a population of approximately 104,000 residents. It is situated in the eastern part of the state.
Cumberland County
Founded in 1754, Cumberland County is home to around 340,000 people. It is located in the southeastern part of North Carolina.
Currituck County
Established in 1668, Currituck County has a population of about 28,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Dare County
Founded in 1870, Dare County is home to around 37,000 residents. It is located in the northeastern part of the state and includes the popular tourist destination of the Outer Banks.
Davidson County
Established in 1822, Davidson County has a population of approximately 170,000 people. It is located in the central part of North Carolina.
Davie County
Founded in 1836, Davie County is home to around 43,000 people. It is situated in the central part of the state.
Duplin County
Established in 1750, Duplin County has a population of about 59,000 people. It is located in the southeastern part of North Carolina.
Durham County
Founded in 1881, Durham County is home to around 330,000 residents. It is located in the central part of the state and includes the city of Durham.
Edgecombe County
Established in 1741, Edgecombe County has a population of approximately 53,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina.
Forsyth County
Founded in 1849, Forsyth County is home to around 380,000 people. It is located in the central part of the state and includes the city of Winston-Salem.
Franklin County
Established in 1779, Franklin County has a population of about 70,000 residents. It is situated in the northern part of North Carolina.
Gaston County
Founded in 1846, Gaston County is home to around 220,000 people. It is located in the southwestern part of the state.
Gates County
Established in 1779, Gates County has a population of approximately 11,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Graham County
Founded in 1872, Graham County is home to around 9,000 residents. It is located in the southwestern part of the state.
Granville County
Established in 1746, Granville County has a population of about 60,000 people. It is situated in the northern part of North Carolina.
Greene County
Founded in 1799, Greene County is home to around 22,000 people. It is located in the eastern part of the state.
Guilford County
Established in 1771, Guilford County has a population of approximately 550,000 people. It is located in the central part of North Carolina and includes the cities of Greensboro and High Point.
Halifax County
Founded in 1758, Halifax County has a population of around 50,000 residents. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Harnett County
Established in 1855, Harnett County has a population of about 140,000 people. It is located in the central part of the state.
Haywood County
Founded in 1808, Haywood County is home to around 60,000 residents. It is situated in the western part of North Carolina.
Henderson County
Established in 1838, Henderson County has a population of approximately 120,000 people. It is located in the western part of the state.
Hertford County
Founded in 1759, Hertford County has a population of around 23,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Hoke County
Established in 1911, Hoke County has a population of about 55,000 residents. It is located in the southeastern part of the state.
Hyde County
Founded in 1705, Hyde County is home to around 5,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina and includes the island community of Ocracoke.
Iredell County
Established in 1788, Iredell County has a population of approximately 180,000 people. It is located in the central part of the state.
Jackson County
Founded in 1851, Jackson County is home to around 44,000 residents. It is situated in the western part of North Carolina.
Johnston County
Established in 1746, Johnston County has a population of about 215,000 people. It is located in the central part of the state.
Jones County
Founded in 1779, Jones County has a population of around 10,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina.
Lee County
Established in 1907, Lee County has a population of approximately 62,000 residents. It is located in the central part of the state.
Lenoir County
Founded in 1791, Lenoir County is home to around 55,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina.
Lincoln County
Established in 1779, Lincoln County has a population of about 88,000 people. It is located in the southwestern part of the state.
Macon County
Founded in 1828, Macon County is home to around 35,000 residents. It is situated in the southwestern part of North Carolina.
Madison County
Established in 1851, Madison County has a population of approximately 21,000 people. It is located in the western part of the state.
Martin County
Founded in 1774, Martin County has a population of around 22,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
McDowell County
Established in 1842, McDowell County has a population of about 47,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state.
Mecklenburg County
Founded in 1762, Mecklenburg County has a population of approximately 1.1 million people. It is located in the southwestern part of North Carolina and includes the city of Charlotte.
Mitchell County
Established in 1861, Mitchell County has a population of around 15,000 people. It is located in the western part of the state.
Montgomery County
Founded in 1779, Montgomery County has a population of approximately 28,000 residents. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina.
Moore County
Established in 1784, Moore County has a population of about 100,000 people. It is located in the central part of the state and is known for its equestrian industry and golf courses.
Nash County
Founded in 1777, Nash County has a population of around 95,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina.
New Hanover County
Established in 1729, New Hanover County has a population of approximately 240,000 residents. It is located in the southeastern part of the state and includes the city of Wilmington.
Northampton County
Founded in 1741, Northampton County has a population of around 20,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Onslow County
Established in 1734, Onslow County has a population of about 200,000 people. It is located in the southeastern part of the state and is home to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Orange County
Founded in 1752, Orange County has a population of approximately 150,000 residents. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina and is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Pamlico County
Established in 1872, Pamlico County has a population of around 13,000 people. It is located in the eastern part of the state.
Pasquotank County
Founded in 1668, Pasquotank County has a population of approximately 40,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Pender County
Established in 1875, Pender County has a population of about 65,000 residents. It is located in the southeastern part of the state.
Perquimans County
Founded in 1668, Perquimans County has a population of around 13,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Person County
Established in 1791, Person County has a population of approximately 40,000 people. It is located in the northern part of the state.
Pitt County
Founded in 1760, Pitt County has a population of around 180,000 residents. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina and includes the city of Greenville.
Polk County
Established in 1855, Polk County has a population of about 21,000 people. It is located in the western part of the state.
Randolph County
Founded in 1779, Randolph County has a population of approximately 145,000 people. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina.
Richmond County
Established in 1779, Richmond County has a population of around 45,000 residents. It is located in the southern part of the state.
Robeson County
Founded in 1787, Robeson County has a population of approximately 130,000 people. It is situated in the southeastern part of North Carolina.
Rockingham County
Established in 1785, Rockingham County has a population of about 90,000 people. It is located in the northern part of the state.
Rowan County
Founded in 1753, Rowan County has a population of approximately 145,000 people. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina and includes the city of Salisbury.
Rutherford County
Established in 1779, Rutherford County has a population of around 68,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state.
Sampson County
Founded in 1784, Sampson County has a population of approximately 63,000 people. It is situated in the southeastern part of North Carolina.
Scotland County
Established in 1899, Scotland County has a population of around 35,000 residents. It is located in the southern part of the state.
Stanly County
Founded in 1841, Stanly County has a population of approximately 62,000 people. It is situated in the central part of North Carolina.
Stokes County
Established in 1789, Stokes County has a population of around 47,000 residents. It is located in the northern part of the state.
Surry County
Founded in 1771, Surry County has a population of approximately 72,000 people. It is situated in the northern part of North Carolina.
Swain County
Established in 1871, Swain County has a population of around 15,000 residents. It is located in the western part of the state and includes a portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Transylvania County
Founded in 1861, Transylvania County has a population of approximately 35,000 people. It is situated in the western part of North Carolina and is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Tyrrell County
Established in 1729, Tyrrell County has a population of around 4,000 residents. It is located in the northeastern part of the state and includes a portion of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.
Union County
Founded in 1842, Union County has a population of approximately 240,000 people. It is situated in the southern part of North Carolina and includes the cities of Monroe and Indian Trail.
Vance County
Established in 1881, Vance County has a population of around 44,000 residents. It is located in the northern part of the state.
Wake County
Founded in 1771, Wake County has a population of approximately 1.1 million people, making it the second-most populous county in North Carolina. It is situated in the central part of the state and includes the state capital city of Raleigh.
Warren County
Established in 1779, Warren County has a population of around 19,000 residents. It is located in the northeastern part of North Carolina.
Washington County
Founded in 1799, Washington County has a population of approximately 12,000 people. It is situated in the northeastern part of the state.
Watauga County
Established in 1849, Watauga County has a population of around 57,000 residents. It is located in the northwestern part of North Carolina and is home to Appalachian State University.
Wayne County
Founded in 1779, Wayne County has a population of approximately 120,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of the state and includes the city of Goldsboro.
Wilkes County
Established in 1777, Wilkes County has a population of around 68,000 residents. It is located in the northwestern part of North Carolina.
Wilson County
Founded in 1855, Wilson County has a population of approximately 82,000 people. It is situated in the eastern part of North Carolina and includes the cities of Wilson and Elm City.
Yadkin County
Established in 1850, Yadkin County has a population of around 38,000 residents. It is located in the northern part of the state.
Yancey County
Founded in 1833, Yancey County has a population of approximately 18,000 people. It is situated in the western part of North Carolina and includes a portion of the Pisgah National Forest.
Old Antique Atlases & Maps of North Carolina
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
- 1776 Atlas North And South Carolina Map
- 1776 Atlas Map Of North Carolina With Its Indian Frontiers (Nouthern Section)
- 1795 North Carolina
- 1804 North Carolina Atlas Map
- 1814 Atlas Map of North Carolina
- 1822 Geographical, Historical, And Statistical Atlas Map Of North Carolina
- 1827 Map of North and South Carolina, and Georgia
- 1836 A New Atlas Map Of Nth. Carolina With Its Canals, Roads & Distances from place to place, along the Stage & Steam Boat Routes. (with) two inset maps: Gold Region and the Neuse Rive
- 1845 North Carolina Atlas Map
- 1856 North Carolina Map
- 1880 North and South Carolina. (with) Plan of Charleston
North Carolina Map Links
- North Carolina State Park Map (mapofus.org)
- North Carolina Lakes and Rivers Map (mapofus.org)
- North Carolina Map With Cities and Highways (mapofus.org)
- U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918 (ancestry.com)
- Old Historical Maps of North Carolina (alabamamaps.ua.edu)
- North Carolina Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers(ancestry.com)
- North Carolina Digital Map Library (usgwarchives.net)
- North Carolina Maps (lib.unc.edu) North Carolina Maps is a comprehensive, online collection of historic maps of the Tar Heel State.
- North Carolina Maps – The Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection (lib.utexas.edu)
- American Memory Map Collection: 1500-2004 (memory.loc.gov)
- North Carolina USGenWeb Archives Digital Map Library (usgwarchives.net)
- North Carolina Map Books (amazon.com)
