DUPLIN COUNTY INFORMATION SHEET
Fall 2017
Welcome to Duplin County!
We welcome you to take a break from
the hustle and bustle of big city life
and discover Duplin County.
Boasting hometown hospitality, scenic
countryside and easy accessibility to
many North Carolina cities, Duplin
County is establishing itself as a
relocation destination for many.
Duplin is bounded by Wayne County to
the north; Lenoir, Jones, and Onslow
Counties to the east; Pender County to
the south; and Sampson County to the
west. Kenansville, the county seat, is
located in the center of the county
and is approximately 80 miles from
Raleigh, 55 miles from Wilmington, 65
miles from Fayetteville, and 55 miles
from the Atlantic Ocean.
Well-grounded by our heritage and
well-known for our agricultural
strengths, Duplin County makes an
ideal home for your business and
your family!
HISTORY
Duplin County was first formed by the
General Assembly in New Bern on
April 7, 1750 from what was the
northern part of New Hanover
County. At that time the boundaries
of Duplin County included what would
eventually become Sampson County.
Duplin was named after Sir Thomas
Hays, Lord Dupplin, who served on
the Board of Trade and Plantations for
the Crown in the 1740's.
Duplin County's earliest immigrants
were the Welsh who arrived in the
1700's. They were soon followed by
German Palatines and the Swiss in
the 1730's and 1740's. The
Scotch-Irish arrived in 1736 with
Henry McCulloch, a wealthy London
merchant, to settle on a rich and
fertile 71,160-acre land granted to
him from the British Crown. The
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Kenansville, North Carolina
DEMOGRAPHICS
2015 census
Population 59,453
Median 38.8
Age
French Huguenots and English, who White 57.2%
migrated from Virginia along with Race Black 25.3%
Scottish Highlanders who came from Hispanic 15.1%
the upper Cape Fear region, also
Other 1.9%
were among the earliest settlers to
the area along with
African-Americans. The early
Estimated
settlements were primarily along the
Mean $31,211.00
river and larger creeks as these were
Annual
the best means of transportation.
Wage
Duplin County is the 9th largest
county in the state in land area, 819
square miles. The 2000 population
was 49,063. There are 10 Average
incorporated towns in the county: Household $46,378.00
Calypso, Faison, Warsaw, Income
Kenansville, Magnolia, Rose Hill,
Teachey, Wallace, Greenevers and
Beulaville. The county is served by
Interstate 40, U.S. Highway 117, NC
Highways 11, 24, 50, 403 and 903.
Rail service is available through CSX
Rail service and the Duplin County
Airport provides a 6,001-foot paved,
lighted runway.
Duplin County has maintained its
agricultural heritage and rural
environment through the years while
still allowing for a blending with
industrial development, economic
growth and an enviable lifestyle.
Duplin County 2017
 TOURISM EDUCATION

Things To Do in Duplin County:

FAST FACTS
Wineries
❖ Duplin County has
❖ Duplin Winery experienced 1.6% population
❖ The Country Squire Winery growth from 2010 to 2015
❖ The Tipsy Bee Winery ❖ Approximately 30% of Duplin
County’s workforce is
employed in manufacturing
❖ A network of 6 primary
highways intersect with
Interstate 40, the state's
Museums major east-west route

❖ Cowan Museum “A District-Wide Early College

❖ Faison Museum Approach to College and Career
❖ Liberty Hall Excellence for ALL”
❖ Tarkil Branch Homestead
Museum Located in rural eastern North
❖ Duplin County Veterans Carolina, Duplin County Schools offer
Museum the best of both worlds, a hometown
❖ Wallace Museum atmosphere in close proximity to the
❖ Thomas C. Townsend coast and capital of North Carolina.
Fireman’s Museum Duplin County Schools consists of
thirteen public schools that include
seven K-8 schools, one K-6 school,
four high traditional high schools and
an early college high school.

The mission of Duplin County

Attractions Schools is to work collaboratively
with the community to prepare all
❖ Buckner Hill Plantation students for career, college, and life
❖ Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary success.

Duplin County Schools is striving to

Festivals:
❖ NC Muscadine Harvest
Festival (September)
❖ NC Poultry Jubilee
I-40 corridor in southeastern North Carolina
(November)
❖ Blue, Brew & Que Festival
(March)
❖ A Taste of Duplin (April)
❖ Carolina Strawberry Festival
(May)
Duplin County is located midway along the
ensure that all students are college
and career ready. What does college
and career readiness mean?
Undoubtedly, it is more than a high
school diploma. In order to be
“college ready”, a high school
graduate must have a knowledge
and skills to qualify for and succeed
in entry-level, credit-bearing
coursework without remediation.
Being “career ready” means being
prepared for a career that offers that
opportunity to advance and grow
professionally.

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