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Lenoir, NC

Frequently asked questions

Lenoir, NC

Lenoir is a city in and the county seat of Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 18,263 at the 2020 census. Lenoir is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the northeast are the Brushy Mountains, a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hibriten Mountain, located just east of the city limits, marks the western end of the Brushy Mountains range. Lenoir is one of the principal cities in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Lenoir is southeast of the center of Caldwell County and is bordered to the south by the towns of Hudson and Cajah's Mountain, and to the southwest by the town of Gamewell.

The city is at the intersection of U.S. Highways 64 and 321. US 64 leads east 42 miles (68 km) to Statesville and southwest 15 miles (24 km) to Morganton, while US 321 leads north 27 miles (43 km) to Boone and southeast 17 miles (27 km) to Hickory.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lenoir has a total area of 19.7 square miles (50.9 km²), all land. The city is in the valley of Lower Creek, between the Brushy Mountains to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. Lower Creek flows southwest to the Catawba River valley.

Lenoir was established in 1841 and incorporated in 1851. The city was named for Revolutionary War general and early North Carolina statesman William Lenoir, who settled north of present-day Lenoir. His restored home, Fort Defiance, is a tourist attraction.

The original settlement of Lenoir was known as Tucker's Barn, after a Tucker family that settled on the north side of Lower Creek around 1765. The homestead eventually served as a voting precinct, a muster ground, a store, and a place for celebrations. When Caldwell County was formed in 1841, a commission was appointed to choose a location for the county seat. One member proposed the south side of Lower Creek (today, the Whitnel area) because of its view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, since most of the county's population was on the north side of Lower Creek, the Tucker's Barn site was chosen, where Lenoir is today.

In addition to Fort Defiance, the Caldwell County Courthouse, Lenoir Downtown Historic District, Lenoir Grammar School, Lenoir High School, Mary's Grove, and Edgar Allan Poe House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The city places a significant emphasis on health and wellness, with facilities such as Caldwell UNC Health Care providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Lenoir Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Lenoir Aquatic & Fitness Center, Anytime Fitness, and Quest4Life Wellness Center. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Lenoir, such as the Lenoir Greenway and Lower China Creek. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Lenoir, NC are Caldwell Heritage Museum, Fort Defiance, and Lenoir Golf Course.

Population: 18,352 (2020). ZIP Codes: 28633. Area code: 828. Elevation: 1,129 ft (344 m). Area: 20.83 sq mi (53.95 km²).

FAQs

What is Lenoir, NC, known for?

The factory represents Lenoir's furniture-making heritage. Throughout it's history, Lenoir has been steeped in furniture and many generations of residents helped craft the premier furniture brands in the country. Lenoir has long been know as a the Furniture Capital of the South.

Is Lenoir, NC, a good place to live?

Living in Lenoir offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Lenoir, there are a lot of parks. Many retirees live in Lenoir and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Lenoir are above average.

What are the demographics of Lenoir NC?

Lenoir, NC is home to a population of 18.3k people, of which 96% are citizens. As of 2022, 5.4% of Lenoir, NC residents were born outside of the country (988 people). In 2022, there were 5.14 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (12.9k people) in Lenoir, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.51k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.53k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Lenoir

Caldwell UNC Health Care

Lenoir Parks and Recreation Department

Lenoir Aquatic & Fitness Center

Anytime Fitness 

Quest4Life Wellness Center

Lenoir Greenway 

Lower China Creek

Caldwell Heritage Museum

Fort Defiance

Lenoir Golf Course

Niche

Data USA

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