Most rural counties in North Carolina

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in North Carolina

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in North Carolina using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Haywood County

- Rural area: 95.6% (529 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.4% (24 square miles)
- Total land area: 554 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #1,880 nationwide

- Population density: 111.7 people / square mile (61,862 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #2,330 nationwide

#49. Watauga County

- Rural area: 95.7% (299 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.3% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 313 square miles
--- #81 largest county in state, #2,780 nationwide

- Population density: 178.1 people / square mile (55,669 residents)
--- #72 lowest density county in state, #2,557 nationwide

#48. Edgecombe County

- Rural area: 95.9% (484 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.1% (21 square miles)
- Total land area: 505 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #2,054 nationwide

- Population density: 103.0 people / square mile (52,069 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #2,275 nationwide

#47. Wilkes County

- Rural area: 96.4% (727 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.6% (27 square miles)
- Total land area: 754 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #1,167 nationwide

- Population density: 90.6 people / square mile (68,341 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #2,183 nationwide

#46. McDowell County

- Rural area: 96.4% (425 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.6% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 441 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,304 nationwide

- Population density: 103.0 people / square mile (45,402 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #2,276 nationwide

#45. Transylvania County

- Rural area: 96.7% (366 square miles)
- Urban area: 3.3% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 379 square miles
--- #69 largest county in state, #2,608 nationwide

- Population density: 89.9 people / square mile (34,039 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #2,176 nationwide

#44. Stokes County

- Rural area: 97.1% (436 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.9% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 449 square miles
--- #54 largest county in state, #2,276 nationwide

- Population density: 101.8 people / square mile (45,688 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #2,265 nationwide

#43. Chatham County

- Rural area: 97.5% (665 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.5% (17 square miles)
- Total land area: 682 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,374 nationwide

- Population density: 106.8 people / square mile (72,853 residents)
--- #48 lowest density county in state, #2,303 nationwide

#42. Pender County

- Rural area: 97.6% (849 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.4% (21 square miles)
- Total land area: 870 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #939 nationwide

- Population density: 71.2 people / square mile (61,891 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,992 nationwide

#41. Mitchell County

- Rural area: 97.7% (216 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.3% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 221 square miles
--- #97 largest county in state, #2,967 nationwide

- Population density: 67.6 people / square mile (14,959 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,946 nationwide

#40. Halifax County

- Rural area: 97.8% (708 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.2% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 724 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #1,229 nationwide

- Population density: 70.0 people / square mile (50,678 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,978 nationwide

#39. Franklin County

- Rural area: 98.0% (482 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.0% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 492 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #2,114 nationwide

- Population density: 138.4 people / square mile (68,027 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #2,432 nationwide

#38. Beaufort County

- Rural area: 98.1% (812 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (16 square miles)
- Total land area: 827 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #1,019 nationwide

- Population density: 57.0 people / square mile (47,160 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,805 nationwide

#37. Person County

- Rural area: 98.2% (385 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 392 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,564 nationwide

- Population density: 100.8 people / square mile (39,561 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #2,257 nationwide

#36. Chowan County

- Rural area: 98.2% (169 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 172 square miles
--- #100 largest county in state, #3,038 nationwide

- Population density: 81.1 people / square mile (13,995 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #2,103 nationwide

#35. Macon County

- Rural area: 98.2% (506 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 516 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #2,022 nationwide

- Population density: 68.2 people / square mile (35,172 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,951 nationwide

#34. Yadkin County

- Rural area: 98.3% (329 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 335 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,726 nationwide

- Population density: 112.3 people / square mile (37,589 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #2,334 nationwide

#33. Jackson County

- Rural area: 98.4% (483 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 491 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,122 nationwide

- Population density: 88.5 people / square mile (43,435 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #2,165 nationwide

#32. Columbus County

- Rural area: 98.6% (924 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 937 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #759 nationwide

- Population density: 59.4 people / square mile (55,659 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,840 nationwide

#31. Ashe County

- Rural area: 98.7% (421 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 426 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #2,383 nationwide

- Population density: 63.4 people / square mile (27,009 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,891 nationwide

#30. Montgomery County

- Rural area: 98.7% (485 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 492 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #2,113 nationwide

- Population density: 55.4 people / square mile (27,223 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,782 nationwide

#29. Hertford County

- Rural area: 98.8% (349 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 353 square miles
--- #74 largest county in state, #2,676 nationwide

- Population density: 67.3 people / square mile (23,752 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,942 nationwide

#28. Washington County

- Rural area: 99.0% (345 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 348 square miles
--- #75 largest county in state, #2,684 nationwide

- Population density: 33.9 people / square mile (11,788 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,313 nationwide

#27. Anson County

- Rural area: 99.0% (526 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 531 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #1,970 nationwide

- Population density: 46.0 people / square mile (24,430 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,608 nationwide

#26. Avery County

- Rural area: 99.1% (245 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 247 square miles
--- #92 largest county in state, #2,920 nationwide

- Population density: 70.9 people / square mile (17,510 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,986 nationwide

#25. Sampson County

- Rural area: 99.2% (937 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 945 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #749 nationwide

- Population density: 67.0 people / square mile (63,284 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,937 nationwide

#24. Polk County

- Rural area: 99.3% (236 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 238 square miles
--- #94 largest county in state, #2,933 nationwide

- Population density: 87.0 people / square mile (20,682 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #2,149 nationwide

#23. Duplin County

- Rural area: 99.3% (810 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 816 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,036 nationwide

- Population density: 72.2 people / square mile (58,965 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #2,003 nationwide

#22. Martin County

- Rural area: 99.3% (458 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 461 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #2,226 nationwide

- Population density: 49.1 people / square mile (22,644 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,677 nationwide

#21. Northampton County

- Rural area: 99.6% (535 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 537 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #1,946 nationwide

- Population density: 36.7 people / square mile (19,672 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,388 nationwide

#20. Madison County

- Rural area: 99.6% (448 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 450 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #2,272 nationwide

- Population density: 48.1 people / square mile (21,608 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,657 nationwide

#19. Bertie County

- Rural area: 99.7% (697 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 699 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #1,325 nationwide

- Population density: 27.3 people / square mile (19,081 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #1,128 nationwide

#18. Currituck County

- Rural area: 99.7% (261 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 262 square miles
--- #87 largest county in state, #2,881 nationwide

- Population density: 103.9 people / square mile (27,210 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #2,282 nationwide

#17. Bladen County

- Rural area: 99.7% (872 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 874 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #929 nationwide

- Population density: 38.0 people / square mile (33,209 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #1,423 nationwide

#16. Caswell County

- Rural area: 100.0% (425 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.1% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 425 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #2,385 nationwide

- Population density: 53.2 people / square mile (22,619 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,745 nationwide

#15. Camden County

- Rural area: 100.0% (241 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 241 square miles
--- #93 largest county in state, #2,929 nationwide

- Population density: 44.3 people / square mile (10,654 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,558 nationwide

#14. Greene County

- Rural area: 100.0% (266 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 266 square miles
--- #85 largest county in state, #2,871 nationwide

- Population density: 78.9 people / square mile (20,987 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #2,086 nationwide

#13. Cherokee County

- Rural area: 100.0% (455 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 455 square miles
--- #52 largest county in state, #2,251 nationwide

- Population density: 62.4 people / square mile (28,413 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,875 nationwide

#12. Yancey County

- Rural area: 100.0% (313 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 313 square miles
--- #80 largest county in state, #2,779 nationwide

- Population density: 57.2 people / square mile (17,870 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,806 nationwide

#11. Perquimans County

- Rural area: 100.0% (247 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 247 square miles
--- #91 largest county in state, #2,919 nationwide

- Population density: 54.7 people / square mile (13,513 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,775 nationwide

#10. Clay County

- Rural area: 100.0% (215 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 215 square miles
--- #98 largest county in state, #2,975 nationwide

- Population density: 51.9 people / square mile (11,150 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,723 nationwide

#9. Alleghany County

- Rural area: 100.0% (235 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 235 square miles
--- #95 largest county in state, #2,938 nationwide

- Population density: 47.2 people / square mile (11,085 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,629 nationwide

#8. Warren County

- Rural area: 100.0% (428 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 428 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #2,371 nationwide

- Population density: 46.1 people / square mile (19,746 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,609 nationwide

#7. Pamlico County

- Rural area: 100.0% (337 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 337 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,720 nationwide

- Population density: 37.7 people / square mile (12,673 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,411 nationwide

#6. Gates County

- Rural area: 100.0% (340 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 340 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,709 nationwide

- Population density: 33.8 people / square mile (11,519 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,312 nationwide

#5. Graham County

- Rural area: 100.0% (292 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 292 square miles
--- #83 largest county in state, #2,820 nationwide

- Population density: 29.1 people / square mile (8,501 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #1,186 nationwide

#4. Swain County

- Rural area: 100.0% (528 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 528 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #1,982 nationwide

- Population density: 27.0 people / square mile (14,241 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #1,124 nationwide

#3. Jones County

- Rural area: 100.0% (471 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 471 square miles
--- #49 largest county in state, #2,191 nationwide

- Population density: 20.1 people / square mile (9,453 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #899 nationwide

#2. Tyrrell County

- Rural area: 100.0% (389 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 389 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #2,575 nationwide

- Population density: 10.2 people / square mile (3,978 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #586 nationwide

#1. Hyde County

- Rural area: 100.0% (613 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 613 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #1,580 nationwide

- Population density: 8.3 people / square mile (5,089 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #507 nationwide

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