Harnett County, North Carolina

Harnett County Education, Geography, and History

Harnett County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 114,678. Its county seat is Lillington, and its largest city is Dunn.

Harnett County comprises the Dunn, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is a part of the greater Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC Combined Statistical Area

Etymology - Origin of Harnett County Name

It was named in honor of Cornelius Harnett, an eminent Revolutionary patriot, president of the Provincial Council, president of the Council of Safety, delegate to the Continental Congress, and author of the Halifax Resolutions of April 12, 1776.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Harnett County History

Harnett was formed in 1855 from Cumberland. It was named in honor of Cornelius Harnett, an eminent Revolutionary patriot, president of the Provincial Council, president of the Council of Safety, delegate to the Continental Congress, and author of the Halifax Resolutions of April 12, 1776. It is in the eastern section of the State and is bounded by Chatham, Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, Lee, Wake, Johnston and Sampson counties. The present land area is 595.01 square miles and the 2000 population was 91,025. The courts were ordered to be held at Summerville until a courthouse was erected unless otherwise directed by a majority of the justices of the peace. It also named commissioners to locate the geographical center of the county, acquire the land. Lay out a town and erect the public buildings. The town was called Toomer in honor of John D. Toomer of Cumberland, a judge of the superior and of the supreme court. Many people became dissatisfied with the location, and in 1859 an act was passed to allow the voters to decide whether Toomer should remain the county seat or to select a new location. If a new site was selected, it should be called Lillington. Lillington was named in honor of Alexander Lillington. It is the county seat.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 601 square miles (1,560 km²), of which 595 square miles (1,540 km²) is land and 6.3 square miles (16 km²) (1.1%) is water.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Wake County - northeast
• Johnston County - east
• Sampson County - southeast
• Cumberland County - south
• Moore County - southwest
• Lee County - northwest
• Chatham County - northwest

Education

Harnett County is home to Campbell University and to 27 other different schools: 4 primary schools, 13 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 1 alternative school.

Primary: Anderson Creek, Gentry, Harnett, North Harnett
Elementary: Angier, Benhaven, Boone Trail, Buies Creek, Coats, Erwin, Highland, Johnsonville, LaFayette, Lillington-Shawtown, Overhills, South Harnett, Wayne Avenue
MS: Coats-Erwin, Dunn, Harnett Central, Overhills, Western Harnett
HS: Harnett Central, Overhills, Triton, Western Harnett
Alternative: STAR Academy (grades 6-12)
University: Campbell University

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