Johnston County Map, North Carolina

Johnston County Map Collection
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Johnston County, North Carolina

Johnston County sits in the east-central part of North Carolina. The county has deep agricultural roots, with tobacco and sweet potatoes being major crops.
Interstate 95 and 40 run right through it, making travel a breeze. You’ll find a mix of old and new here. Historic downtown Clayton contrasts with modern subdivisions popping up left and right.
The Neuse River hass spots for fishing and kayaking. Ava Gardner, the Hollywood legend, was born here. There’s a museum dedicated to her in Smithfield. Smithfield is the county seat and is famous for its outlet shopping.
Category | Details |
---|---|
County Name | Johnston County |
County Seat | Smithfield |
Population | Approximately 230,000 |
Cities, Towns, and Communities | Smithfield, Clayton, Selma, Benson |
Interstates and Highways | Interstate 95, U.S. Route 70, U.S. Route 301 |
FIPS Code | 37-101 |
Total Area | 796 square miles (land and water) |
Adjacent Counties | Wake County (Northwest), Franklin County (North), Nash County (Northeast), Wilson County (East), Wayne County (Southeast), Sampson County (South), Harnett County (Southwest) |
Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone |
State | North Carolina |
Coordinates | 35.4937° N, 78.3416° W |
Etymology | Named after Gabriel Johnston, a governor of colonial North Carolina |
Major Landmarks | Ava Gardner Museum, Johnston County Heritage Center |
Website | Johnston County Website |
PHYSICAL MAP
Johnston County Topographic Map
Johnston County is mostly flat, but not entirely. The land dips around the Neuse River and flattens again toward the southeast. It’s classic coastal plain, which make it easy to build on and easy to farm. For full clarity, zoom in on our detailed topographic map below.

TRANSPORTATION MAP
Johnston County Road Map
Raleigh’s spillover has filled this county with fast-growing routes. I-95 cuts through east-west, while I-40 shoots diagonally through the middle. U.S. 70 follows a more winding route, touching Clayton, Smithfield, and beyond. Even though it’s still rural in places, the roads are built for speed.

SATELLITE IMAGERY
Johnston County Satellite Map
Subdivisions sprawl around Clayton and Smithfield stands out near I-95. But most of the county stays open with fields, woods, and wetlands. Patches of dark green stretch between the towns, still holding their ground.

OUTLINE MAP
Johnston County Blank Map
It’s got a mostly jagged shape with a few bumps and curves. Johnston touches seven other counties, but not another state.

Neighboring Counties
Here are the 7 neighboring counties of Johnston County: