History
Early history
The area comprising Columbus County was originally inhabited by the Waccamaw people. Historically, the "eastern Siouans" had territories extending through the area of Columbus County prior to any European exploration or settlement in the 16th century.
English colonial settlement in what was known as Carolina did not increase until the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Following epidemics of new infectious diseases, to which indigenous peoples were exposed in trading and other contact, the Waccamaw and other Native Americans often suffered disruption and fatalities when caught between larger tribes and colonists in the Tuscarora and Yamasee wars. Afterward most of the Tuscarora people migrated north, joining other Iroquoian-speaking peoples of the Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in New York State by 1722. At that point the leaders declared their migration ended and the tribe officially relocated to that area.
The Waccamaw Siouan ancestors retreated for safety to an area of Green Swamp near Lake Waccamaw.[4] Throughout the 19th century, the Waccamaw Siouan were seldom mentioned in the historical record. If descendants intermarried with whites and/or African Americans, their children were assumed to lose their Indian status, although they were often reared in Indian culture. Since North Carolina was a slave society, whites classified anyone with visible African features as slaves and blacks first.
Colonial settlement
As America was colonized by the British, the area encompassing Columbus County was first organized part of the Bath Precinct of North Carolina, established by the British Crown in 1696. In 1729 a southern portion was split off by the General Assembly to create New Hanover County, and five years later Bladen was formed out of part of New Hanover. In 1764 Brunswick County was formed out of Bladen and New Hanover. Throughout this time the area was largely forested and had few white settlers, though the General Assembly established two roads through the area in 1764. William Bartram, a botanist from Pennsylvania, journeyed to Lake Waccamaw to study the flora and fauna of the region in the 1730s, creating the first detailed written account of the area. At least two skirmishes of the American Revolutionary War were fought on Columbus soil: one near Pireway and another at Brown Marsh.
Creation
Columbus County was created by the General Assembly on December 15, 1808, to make it easier for local residents to conduct official business without having to travel to the seat of Brunswick County. Columbus was formed from parts of Bladen and Brunswick counties and named in honor of Christopher Columbus. The county's borders were modified several times by legislative act between 1809 and 1821. In 1810, a community was platted on land owned by James B. White for the purpose of creating a county seat. It was originally known as White's Crossing before being incorporated as Whiteville in 1832. The first courthouse and jail, made of wood, were built there in 1809.
Development
Farmers loading strawberries onto rail cars in Chadbourn c. 1907
At the time of its creation, Columbus County was sparsely populated. A new brick courthouse and jail were erected in 1852. The construction of a railroad along the Bladen-Columbus border in the 1860s spurred growth. The laying of the Wilmington, Columbia and Augusta Railroad later in the decade connected Whiteville with Wilmington and supported the development of strong lumber and naval stores industries. Most white men in the county fought during the American Civil War, while most free blacks and mulattoes were exempted from service. The county was spared direct fighting, but the war demands stressed the local labor and food markets, and severe rains in 1863 diminished grain yields. Most residents resorted to trade via the barter system. After Wilmington fell to Union troops in February 1865, Union marauders sacked Whiteville. In 1877 part of Brunswick County was annexed to Columbus.
In the post-Reconstruction period, after white Democrats regained dominance in politics, they emphasized white supremacy and classified all non-whites as black. For instance, Native Americans could not attend schools for white children. Toward the end of the century, the U.S. Census recorded common Waccamaw surnames among individuals in the small isolated communities of this area.[13]
Tobacco was introduced as a crop in Columbus in 1896, and that year a tobacco warehouse was established in Fair Bluff. It remained a marginal crop until 1914, and at the conclusion of World War I overtook cotton as the county's major cash crop. The county's first bank was opened in 1903. Strawberries were introduced at Chadbourn in 1895, and by 1907 Chadbourn had become one of the leading strawberry producers in the world. Another courthouse and jail were built in 1914.
COLCOR
From January 1979 through December 1982,[17] State and Federal investigators conducted Operation NC Gateway, an investigation into the activities of several elected officials in Brunswick and Columbus counties. Law enforcement seized 37 million dollars of illegal drugs, and arrested several leading citizens in the area. The scandal was labeled "COLCOR" in the press, shorthand for Columbus Corruption.[18] The federal investigation culminated in federal convictions of former Brunswick County Sheriff Herman Strong and former Shallotte Police Chief Hoyal Varnum Jr., among other government officials.[19] The 1983 street value of the narcotics in Strong and his co-conspirators’ criminal enterprise was $180 million.[20][21]
COLCOR's success was largely due to the deep undercover work by FBI Special Agent Robert Drdak. His testimony to the Grand Jury led to the arrest of a long list of prominent Brunswick and Columbus County citizens. In addition, former U.S. Attorney, Samuel Currin, was the force behind operations ColCor and Operation Gateway. The special investigative grand jury in Brunswick County indicted 22 persons,[20] and 35 were indicted in Columbus County.[17] Among those indicted were:[17][22][23]
- Brunswick County Sheriff Herman Strong (numerous charges of conspiring to smuggle drugs, providing protection to drug smugglers, accepting bribes and two incidents of drug smuggling marijuana and methaqualone tablets). Strong was released from prison on June 17, 1987, after serving less than four years.[20]
- Shallotte Police Chief Hoyal "Red" Varnum (conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 1,100 to 1,400 pounds of marijuana)
- Hoyal's brother Steve Varnum (a past Chairman of the Brunswick County Commissioners),
- Lake Waccamaw Police Chief L. Harold Lowery (racketeering in connection with taking $1,650 in bribes for protection money)
- Former Columbus County Commissioner Edward Walton Williamson (who gave the undercover agent money to deal with Star News reporter Judith Tillman and send her back to Alabama)[24]
- District Court Judge J. Wilton Hunt (racketeering and interstate gambling) A federal judge sentenced Hunt to 14 years in prison and a $10,000 for his role in the corruption ring.[20]
- State Rep. G. Ronald Taylor, (burning three warehouses belonging to another state senator who was Taylor's competition in the farm-implement business)
- Lt. Governor James C. Green (charged with taking a $2,000 bribe and conspiring to take $10,000 in bribes a month) [22][23] The jury found insufficient evidence for the charges and acquitted Green.[25]
- NC State Senator R. C. Soles was indicted on federal charges of aiding and abetting a former Columbus County commissioner in obtaining bribes from undercover FBI agents, conspiracy, vote-buying and perjury, but these charges were later dismissed.[26]
Economic stagnation
The manufacturing sector in Columbus County began a decline in the 1990s. Between 1999 and 2014, the county lost about 2,000 manufacturing jobs. The number of local farmers also declined.[27] The county was heavily impacted by Hurricane Florence in 2018.[28]
Geography
Interactive map of Columbus County
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 954 square miles (2,470 km2), of which 937 square miles (2,430 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (1.7%) is water.[29] It is the third-largest county in North Carolina by land area. There are several large lakes within the county, including Lake Tabor and Lake Waccamaw.
One of the most significant geographic features is the Green Swamp, a 15,907-acre area in the north-eastern portion of the county. Highway 211 passes alongside it. The swamp contains several unique and endangered species, such as the venus flytrap. The area contains the Brown Marsh Swamp, and has a remnant of the giant longleaf pine forest that once stretched across the Southeast from Virginia to Texas.[30]
State and local protected areas
Major water bodies
Adjacent counties
Major highways
Major infrastructure
Demographics
| Historical population
|
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%±
|
| 1810 | 3,022 | | — |
| 1820 | 3,912 | | 29.5% |
| 1830 | 4,141 | | 5.9% |
| 1840 | 3,941 | | −4.8% |
| 1850 | 5,909 | | 49.9% |
| 1860 | 8,597 | | 45.5% |
| 1870 | 8,474 | | −1.4% |
| 1880 | 14,439 | | 70.4% |
| 1890 | 17,856 | | 23.7% |
| 1900 | 21,274 | | 19.1% |
| 1910 | 28,020 | | 31.7% |
| 1920 | 30,124 | | 7.5% |
| 1930 | 37,720 | | 25.2% |
| 1940 | 45,663 | | 21.1% |
| 1950 | 50,621 | | 10.9% |
| 1960 | 48,973 | | −3.3% |
| 1970 | 46,937 | | −4.2% |
| 1980 | 51,037 | | 8.7% |
| 1990 | 49,587 | | −2.8% |
| 2000 | 54,749 | | 10.4% |
| 2010 | 58,098 | | 6.1% |
| 2020 | 50,623 | | −12.9% |
| 2021 (est.) | 50,092 | [31] | −1.0% |
U.S. Decennial Census[32]
1790-1960[33] 1900-1990[34]
1990-2000[35] 2010-2013[36]
2020[37] |
2020 Census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 50,623 people, 21,580 households, and 14,243 families residing in the county. The population of the two prisons are included in this total
2010 Census
As of the 2010 census, the population was 58,098.[36] Columbus County led the state in opioid pills per person from 2006 to 2012 averaging 113.5 pills per person per year.[39]
2005
In 2005 62.3% of the county population was White, 31.1% of the population was African-American, and 3.2% of the population was Native American. According to the 2010 census, 1,025 people in Columbus County self-identify as Waccamaw Siouan.[40] 2.8% of the population was Latino.
There were 21,308 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples living together, 15.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.40% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.40 males.
2003
The 2003 median income for a household in the county was $27,659, and the median income for a family was a little more than $33,800. Males had a median income of $28,494 versus $19,867 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,415. About 17.60% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.00% of those under age 18 and 25.50% of those age 65 or over.
2000 Census
As of the census[41] of 2000, there were 54,749 people, 21,308 households, and 15,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 58/sq mi (23/km2). As of 2004, there were 24,668 housing units at an average density of 26/sq mi (10/km2). The racial makeup for the county was 68.9% White, 23.1% Black or African American, 5.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 4.7% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. 2.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Government and politics
Government
Columbus County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners.[42] The county is represented in the North Carolina Senate in district 8 and in the North Carolina House of Representatives in district 46.[43] The county is a member of the regional Cape Fear Council of Governments, where it participates in area planning on a variety of issues.[44]
Judicial system and law enforcement
Columbus County lies within the bounds of the 15th Prosecutorial District, the 13A Superior Court District, and the 13th District Court District.[45] The Columbus County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services for the county as well as operating the Columbus County Detention Center.[46] There are two state prisons in the county, one at Tabor City, the Tabor City Correctional Institution, and one at Brunswick.[47]
In 2022 Sheriff Jody Greene was re-elected to office after resigning a couple weeks prior due to allegations of obstructing justice and racism.[48] District Attorney Jon David plans to file a new petition for his removal from office. Currently an investigation regarding him and The Columbus County Sheriff Office's actions is being carried out by North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.[49] He would late resign from office for the second time in January 2023.[50]
Politics
| Historical presidential election returns
|
United States presidential election results for Columbus County, North Carolina[51]
| Year
|
Republican
|
Democratic
|
Third party
|
| No. |
% |
No. |
% |
No. |
%
|
| 2020
|
16,832
|
63.65%
|
9,446
|
35.72%
|
168
|
0.64%
|
| 2016
|
14,272
|
60.14%
|
9,063
|
38.19%
|
397
|
1.67%
|
| 2012
|
12,941
|
53.38%
|
11,050
|
45.58%
|
252
|
1.04%
|
| 2008
|
12,994
|
53.51%
|
11,076
|
45.61%
|
212
|
0.87%
|
| 2004
|
10,773
|
50.84%
|
10,343
|
48.81%
|
75
|
0.35%
|
| 2000
|
8,342
|
45.28%
|
9,986
|
54.20%
|
97
|
0.53%
|
| 1996
|
6,017
|
36.96%
|
9,019
|
55.40%
|
1,244
|
7.64%
|
| 1992
|
5,462
|
28.88%
|
11,469
|
60.63%
|
1,985
|
10.49%
|
| 1988
|
6,659
|
41.93%
|
9,172
|
57.75%
|
51
|
0.32%
|
| 1984
|
9,150
|
51.11%
|
8,728
|
48.75%
|
26
|
0.15%
|
| 1980
|
5,522
|
34.64%
|
10,212
|
64.07%
|
206
|
1.29%
|
| 1976
|
3,184
|
22.11%
|
11,148
|
77.41%
|
69
|
0.48%
|
| 1972
|
8,468
|
70.64%
|
3,305
|
27.57%
|
214
|
1.79%
|
| 1968
|
3,881
|
26.19%
|
4,243
|
28.64%
|
6,693
|
45.17%
|
| 1964
|
4,471
|
33.18%
|
9,004
|
66.82%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1960
|
3,655
|
25.90%
|
10,455
|
74.10%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1956
|
2,300
|
22.76%
|
7,805
|
77.24%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1952
|
3,001
|
30.19%
|
6,941
|
69.81%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1948
|
1,105
|
15.00%
|
5,511
|
74.79%
|
753
|
10.22%
|
| 1944
|
1,552
|
21.35%
|
5,717
|
78.65%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1940
|
934
|
13.67%
|
5,900
|
86.33%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1936
|
1,214
|
16.03%
|
6,359
|
83.97%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1932
|
739
|
12.55%
|
5,098
|
86.55%
|
53
|
0.90%
|
| 1928
|
3,533
|
55.32%
|
2,854
|
44.68%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1924
|
1,629
|
36.92%
|
2,757
|
62.49%
|
26
|
0.59%
|
| 1920
|
1,783
|
36.43%
|
3,111
|
63.57%
|
0
|
0.00%
|
| 1916
|
1,327
|
38.22%
|
2,143
|
61.72%
|
2
|
0.06%
|
| 1912
|
155
|
5.71%
|
1,668
|
61.44%
|
892
|
32.85%
|
|
Throughout much of the 2000s, the Columbus County electorate regularly supported Republican presidential candidates and Democratic local and state candidates. Following the election of Democrat Barack Obama as U.S. president in 2008, Republicans' performance in local races markedly improved.[42] As of 2022, the county hosts about 36,200 registered voters, comprising about 15,344 registered Democrats, 10,100 registered Republicans and 10,700 unaffiliated.[43] Despite Democrats' registration advantage, only one unopposed Democrat was elected to a county office in the 2022 local general elections.[52]
Economy
The economy of Columbus County centers on agriculture and manufacturing. Columbus farmers produce crops such as pecans and peanuts, along with soybeans, potatoes, and corn. Cattle, poultry, and catfish are other agricultural products in the county. Factories in the region produce textiles, tools, and plywood. Household products such as doors, furniture, and windows are also manufactured in Columbus.[53] The county hosts two industrial parks and shares a third with Brunswick County.[54]
Carolina Southern stopped railroad service to the county in 2012, and efforts to restore service have proven difficult.[55] However, as of July 2014, positive developments were reported to return railroad service to the area, which was considered integral to spur economic development.[56]
in July 2014, Carolina Southern agreed to begin the process of allowing the counties of Horry County, South Carolina, Marion, South Carolina and Columbus County, NC to assume control of the area rail lines. The goal was to repair the railroad tracks and bridges through local governments and then to find a buyer to re-establish service to the area.[57] A public hearing on the matter was held on October 6, 2014.[58] During that meeting, the Columbus County Commissioners voted to support the initiative to restart rail service with a 10-year grant for the program. Some of the commissioners may not have revealed that they will benefit from the re-establishment of rail service.[59] The Horry County Council in October 2014 also voted to provide funding to reestablish railroad service to the area.[60] Although originally it was thought service could be restored as early as spring 2015,[61] however, the sale of the railroad was not completed until August, 2015 to R.J. Corman Railroad.[62][63] A new target date of February 2016 was announced, as millions of dollars are expected to be spent repairing the rail lines that have been idle since 2011.[64]
Healthcare
Columbus County is served by a single hospital, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, based in Whiteville.[67] According to the 2022 County Health Rankings produced by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Columbus County ranked 91st in health outcomes of North Carolina's 100 counties, an improvement over recent years, as it was ranked last from 2010 to 2015. Per the ranking, 26 percent of adults say they are in poor or fair health, the average life expectancy is 74 years, and 17 percent of people under the age of 65 lack health insurance.[68]
United States
North Carolina
Columbus County, North Carolina
