Jackson County, North Carolina

Jackson County
Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva
Flag of Jackson County
Official seal of Jackson County
Map of North Carolina highlighting Jackson County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°17′N 83°07′W / 35.29°N 83.12°W / 35.29; -83.12
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1851
Named forAndrew Jackson
SeatSylva
Largest communityCullowhee
Area
 • Total494.88 sq mi (1,281.7 km2)
 • Land491.11 sq mi (1,272.0 km2)
 • Water3.77 sq mi (9.8 km2)  0.76%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total43,109
 • Estimate 
(2023)
44,574
 • Density87.78/sq mi (33.89/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district11th
Websitewww.jacksonnc.org

Jackson County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 43,109.[1] Since 1913, its county seat has been Sylva,[2] which replaced Webster.

Cullowhee is the site of Western Carolina University (WCU). In the early 21st century, the university has more than 12,000 students, nearly twice the number of permanent residents of Cullowhee. The university has a strong influence in the region and county.

More than 10 percent of the county residents identify as Native American, mostly Cherokee. The federally recognized Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is based at Qualla Boundary, land that consists of territory in both Jackson and neighboring Swain County. This is the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina, and one among three federally recognized Cherokee tribes nationally. The other two are based in what is now the state of Oklahoma, a former Indian Territory.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.

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