Bladen County, North Carolina#Education

Bladen County was formed in 1734 as Bladen Precinct of Bath County, from New Hanover Precinct.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncpedia.org/geography/bladen-1700s|title=Bladen County in the 1700s|last=Jason|first=Bordeaux|date=2010|website=NCpedia|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2018}} It was named for Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade.{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fccsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ixMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4779%2C397990 | title=Local history offers tasty tidbits | work=Star-News | date=April 17, 1983 | access-date=November 1, 2015 | author=Proffitt, Martie | pages=1C}} With the abolition of Bath County in 1739, all of its constituent precincts became counties.

Bladen's original residents included the Waccamaw people.{{Cite news|url=http://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/bladen-county-1734/|title=Bladen County (1734)|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|date=2016|work=North Carolina History Project|access-date=July 17, 2018|language=en-US}}

Bladen County began as a vast territory, with indefinite northern and western boundaries. Reductions in its extent began in 1750, when its western part became Anson County. In 1754, the northern part of what was left of Bladen County became Cumberland County. In 1764, the southern part of what remained of Bladen County was combined with part of New Hanover County to form Brunswick County. In 1787, the western part of the now much smaller Bladen became Robeson County. Finally, in 1808, the southern part of Bladen County was combined with part of Brunswick County to form Columbus County.

Bladen County is considered the "mother county" of North Carolina, because of the present 100 counties in the state, 55 of them belonged to Bladen at one point.

{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q504403|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Bladen County}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|887.78|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|874.03|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|12.75|sqmi}} (1.44%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} It is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by land area.{{cite news| last = Mildenberg| first = David| title = Bladen County’s crafty approach to economic development| newspaper = Business North Carolina| date = April 20, 2021| url = https://businessnc.com/bladen-countys-crafty-approach-to-economic-development/| access-date = November 17, 2022}}

• Bakers Lake State Natural Area
• Bay Tree Lake State Natural Area
• Bladen Lakes State Forest
• Bladen Lakes State Forest Game Land{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}
• Jones Lake State Park
• Singletary Lake State Park
• Suggs Mill Pond Game Land (part)
• Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest
• White State Lake
• Whitehall Plantation Game Land (part)

{{See also|Category:Rivers of Bladen County, North Carolina}}

• Bay Tree Lake
• Slades Swamp
• Black River, home of the oldest documented Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) at {{Age nts|-625|3|4}} years old{{Cite journal |last1=Stahle |first1=D. W. |last2=Edmondson |first2=J. R. |last3=Howard |first3=I. M. |last4=Robbins |first4=C. R. |last5=Griffin |first5=R. D. |last6=Carl |first6=A. |last7=Hall |first7=C. B. |last8=Stahle |first8=D. K. |last9=Torbenson |first9=M. C. A. |date=May 16, 2019 |title=Longevity, climate sensitivity, and conservation status of wetland trees at Black River, North Carolina |journal=Environmental Research Communications |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=041002 |bibcode=2019ERCom...1d1002S |doi=10.1088/2515-7620/ab0c4a |doi-access=free}}
• Cape Fear River
• Jones Lake
• Little Singletary Lake
• Salters Lake
• Singletary Lake
• South River
• Waccamaw River
• White Lake

• Cumberland County – north
• Sampson County – northeast
• Pender County – east
• Columbus County – south
• Robeson County – west

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• {{Jct|state=NC|US|701}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|701|dab1=Clarkton}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|11}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|20}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|41}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|53}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|87}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|87|dab1=Elizabethtown}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|131}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|210}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|211}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|211|dab1=Bladenboro}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|242}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|410}}

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• Curtis L. Brown Jr. Field
• Elwell Ferry, river ferry across the Cape Fear River

Bladen County is located in the humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) zone, with mostly moderate temperatures year round. Winters are mild across Bladen, with the warmest winter temperatures found in the southeastern portion of the county due to the influence of the nearby Atlantic Ocean. The average high temperature in January is around 55 °F (13 °C). Summers are hot and humid, with the hottest summer temperatures found in the northern and western areas of Bladen County. The average high temperature in July is around 90 °F (32 °C).{{Cite web |title=Bladen County |url=https://bladennc.govoffice3.com/ |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=bladennc.govoffice3.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bladen County, NC Climate |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/north_carolina/bladen |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=BestPlaces}}

The USDA hardiness zones for Bladen County are Zone 8A (10 °F to 15 °F or -12 °C to -9 °C) and Zone 8B (15 °F to 20 °F or -9 °C to -6 °C).{{Cite web |title=2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map {{!}} USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}

Although uncommon, extreme temperatures can occur in Bladen County.

• In December 1989, Elizabethtown recorded a new record low temperature of -3 °F (-19 °C).{{Cite web |title=North Carolina United States Record High and Low Temperature (Fahrenheit) Map and List - Updated November 2024 |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/en/us/climate/extremes/f/north-carolina-record-high-low-temperatures |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=Plantmaps.com |language=en}}

• In August 2007, Elizabethtown recorded a new record high temperature of 105 °F (41 °C).

Frost does occur in Bladen County. Most of the county experiences 50–75 days of frost conditions annually. However, southeastern Bladen averages only 40–50 days of frost conditions annually, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.{{Cite web |last=plantmaps.com |title=Average Frost Days for North Carolina - Updated November 2024 |url=https://www.plantmaps.com/en/us/fd/state/north-carolina/average-days-with-frost-map |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=plantmaps.com}}

Like much of eastern North Carolina, snow is rare in Bladen County. On average, light snowfall occurs once or twice every 10 years.

As of the 2020 census, there were 29,606 people residing in the county. Racially, 54.4 percent of residents identified as white, 32.3 percent identified as black, 2.7 percent as Native American, and 6.1 percent as other categories. Ethnically, 20.7 percent identified as Hispanic or Latino.{{cite news| last = Johnson| first = Kristen| title = Hoke, Harnett counties experienced major population growth since 2010, Census results show| newspaper = The Fayetteville Observer| date = August 16, 2021| url = https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/08/16/census-hoke-harnett-county-saw-population-growth-us-census-north-carolina-data/8107329002/| access-date = April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925160325/https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/08/16/census-hoke-harnett-county-saw-population-growth-us-census-north-carolina-data/8107329002/|archive-date=September 25, 2021}}

Between 2010 and 2020, Bladen County experienced a population decline of 15.9 percent,{{cite news| last = Schofield| first = Ivey| title = Columbus leaders react to disappointing census results| newspaper = The News Reporter| date = August 17, 2021| url = https://www.nrcolumbus.com/archives/columbus-leaders-react-to-disappointing-census-results/article_fb925f8a-a942-5bbb-a139-5c6eea020e06.html| access-date = January 25, 2023}} losing 5,584 residents.

Bladen County is a member of the Lumber River Council of Governments, a regional planning board representing five counties.{{cite news| title = Richardson explains role of LRCOG to Rotary Club| newspaper = The Laurinburg Exchange| date = January 28, 2020| url = https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/news/33084/richardson-explains-role-of-lrcog-to-rotary-club| access-date = July 21, 2022}}

It lies within the bounds of North Carolina's 15th Prosecutorial District, the 13A Superior Court District, and the 13th District Court District.{{cite web| url = https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/bladen-county| title = Bladen County| publisher = North Carolina Judicial Branch| access-date = February 12, 2023}}

Following the 2018 United States Midterm Elections, an investigation was opened into accusations of an absentee ballot fraud scheme directed by McCrae Dowless in Bladen County, within North Carolina's 9th Congressional District. Accusations were based around the Republican Primary election, in which Mark Harris defeated incumbent Robert Pittenger, and around the general election, in which Harris initially appeared to defeat Democrat Dan McCready. {{As of|2018|December}}, the investigation is currently ongoing.{{cite news| last=Morrill| first=Jim| date=November 29, 2018| title='Tangled web' in Bladen County has questions swirling about votes in the 9th District| url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article222363510.html| work=The Charlotte Observer| location=Charlotte, North Carolina| access-date=November 30, 2018}}{{cite news| last1=Gardner| first1=Amy| last2=Ross| first2=Kirk| date=November 29, 2018| title=Certification in limbo in N.C. House race as fraud investigation continues| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/certification-in-limbo-in-nc-house-race-as-fraud-investigation-continues/2018/11/29/109209f6-f406-11e8-80d0-f7e1948d55f4_story.html| newspaper=The Washington Post| location=Washington, D.C.| access-date=November 30, 2018}} Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, Democrat, said it was possible over 1,000 ballots had been destroyed.{{cite news |last=Casiano|first=Louis|date=December 6, 2018|title=Over 1,000 ballots may have been destroyed in NC congressional race, DA says|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/over-1000-ballots-may-have-been-destroyed-in-tighty-contested-north-carolina-congressional-race|work=Fox News|access-date=December 6, 2018}} According to District Attorney Jon David, Republican, the county has a "troubled history of political groups exploiting the use of absentee ballots."{{cite news| last1=Henderson| first1=Bruce| last2=Doran| first2=Will| date=December 7, 2018| title=In 2 NC counties with 'rough politics,' election fraud claims are nothing new| url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article222739860.html| work=The Charlotte Observer| access-date=December 9, 2018}} The scandal brought national media attention to Bladen.

As of 2022, Bladen County is home to about 22,000 registered voters, comprising about 9,700 registered Democrats, about 5,100 Republicans, and about 7,000 unaffiliated voters.{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Here are some primary races to watch in Bladen County for May 17 election| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = April 20, 2022| url =https://borderbelt.org/2022-primary-election-candidates-bladen-county/| access-date = July 21, 2022}}

• Bladen Community College (Dublin)

Public schools within Bladen County are operated by Bladen County Schools.

Bladen County is served by a single hospital, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, based in Elizabethtown.{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = How safe are the hospitals in North Carolina’s Border Belt? New grades released| newspaper = Border Belt Independent | date = November 16, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/how-safe-are-the-hospitals-in-north-carolinas-border-belt-new-grades-released/| access-date = November 28, 2022}} According to the 2022 County Health Rankings produced by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Bladen County ranked 85th in health outcomes of North Carolina's 100 counties, an improvement of 10 ranks over the previous five years. Per the ranking, 26 percent of adults say they are in poor or fair health, the average life expectancy is 75 years, and 16 percent of people under the age of 65 lack health insurance. It has one primary care physician per 4,670 residents.{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = The fight for better health (and health care) in rural North Carolina| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = May 9, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/fight-for-better-health-care-in-rural-nc/| access-date = November 28, 2022}}

Agriculture constitutes a major part of Bladen County's economy. Smithfield Foods operates a pork processing facility north of the town of Tar Heel, the largest such plant in the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.bladenjournal.com/news/31479/coronavirus-smithfield-foods-plant-in-tar-heel-linked-to-bladens-second-positive-case|title=Coronavirus: Smithfield Foods worker at Tar Heel plant tests positive; a second Bladen resident also infected| date=April 18, 2020 |first1=Alan|last1=Wooten|work=The Bladen Journal}} It employs 5,800 workers, making it the county's largest employer.{{cite news| last = Schofield| first = Ivey| title = 'Strong human capital and innovation:' How Bladen County has created plans for future development| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = May 16, 2021| url = https://borderbelt.org/strong-human-capital-and-innovation-how-bladen-county-has-grown-its-economy-and-created-plans-for-future-development/| access-date = July 21, 2022}} The county is the largest producer of blueberries in the state. Area farmers also grow soybeans, peanuts, corn, wheat, and cotton.{{cite news| last = Nagem| first = Sarah| title = Bladen County, shrinking but hopeful, creates a plan for its future| newspaper = Border Belt Independent| date = March 30, 2022| url = https://borderbelt.org/bladen-county-shrinking-but-hopeful-creates-a-plan-for-its-future/| access-date = April 12, 2022}} The county suffers from a large poverty rate and is one of the most economically distressed counties in the state. According to census figures, about 70 percent of working people in Bladen are employed outside the county.{{cite news| last = Williams| first = Joseph| title = Most county residents work elsewhere, and those who do earn more, data shows| newspaper = The News Reporter| date = June 15, 2022| url = https://www.nrcolumbus.com/news/business/most-county-residents-work-elsewhere-and-those-who-do-earn-more-data-shows/article_f13d94a8-6d9d-5066-ae50-c9670cff715d.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230128085612/https://www.nrcolumbus.com/news/business/most-county-residents-work-elsewhere-and-those-who-do-earn-more-data-shows/article_f13d94a8-6d9d-5066-ae50-c9670cff715d.html|archive-date=January 28, 2023}}

File:Map of Bladen County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG

File:Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church, Elizabethtown, North Carolina.jpg

• Bladenboro
• Clarkton
• Dublin
• East Arcadia
• Elizabethtown (county seat and largest community)
• Tar Heel
• White Lake

• Butters
• Kelly
• White Oak

• Abbottsburg

• Ammon
• Ammon Ford
• Carvers
• Colly
• Council
• Emerson
• Rosindale
• Rowan
• Sparkleberry Landing
• Westbrook
• Zara

{{div col|colwidth=18em}}

• Abbottsburg
• Bethel
• Bladenboro
• Brown Marsh
• Carvers Creek
• Central
• Clarkton
• Colly
• Cypress Creek
• Elizabethtown
• East Arcadia
• Frenches Creek
• Hollow
• Lake Creek
• Tarheel
• Turnbull
• White Oak
• Dublin
• Whites Creek

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Bladen County.{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau, Population Division}}

† = county seat

• List of counties in North Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bladen County, North Carolina
• Waccamaw Siouan Indians, state-recognized tribe that resides in the county
• Colcor, political corruption investigation on government officials in neighboring Columbus County
• GenX, chemical compound found in the Cape Fear River, south of Fayetteville

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{osmrelation|2528676}}
• {{official website|https://bladennc.govoffice3.com}}
• [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=gyhANspY9yIC Bladen Journal], Google news archive. — PDFs of 2,696 issues, dating from 1929 to 1985.

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Bladen County, North Carolina

|North = Cumberland County

|Northeast = Sampson County

|East =

|Southeast = Pender County

|South = Columbus County

|Southwest =

|West = Robeson County

|Northwest =

}}

{{Bladen County, North Carolina}}

{{North_Carolina}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1739 establishments in North Carolina

Category:Populated places established in 1739