North Carolina County Map

North Carolina County Maps

North Carolina is split into 100 counties, which is a nice round number for a state that’s anything but square. From the Outer Banks to the Smoky Mountains, the Tar Heel State has more variety than a country buffet.

North Carolina Counties

Mecklenburg County is the most populous, thanks to Charlotte (the biggest city in the state). With its banking headquarters and NASCAR ties, it’s like Wall Street meets Daytona. On the other hand, there’s Tyrrell County out on the coast. It’s the least populous, with mostly swamps and forests… And let’s just say it’s not exactly a hotbed of job opportunities.

While Sampson County is the largest county, Clay County is the smallest. Located in the western part of the state, Clay County is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a big contrast to Sampson’s expansive flatlands and more intimate communities.

North Carolina started carving out counties back in 1664, when it was still part of the Carolina colony. They do have some quirky stories behind their names. Take Transylvania County. No, it’s not full of vampires, but it does have some of the best waterfalls in the state. Or how about Dare County? It’s named after Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America.