Community Information—General Description

Population

The 2000 Census population of Warren County is 19,972, an increase of 15.7 percent since 1990.  The incorporated municipalities of Warrenton, Norlina and Macon have populations of 811, 1,107 and 115, respectively.   US Census Warren County QuickFacts / Community Profile

History

Founded at the height of the American Revolution, Warren County is rich in historical tradition and has contributed to North Carolina four governors, six attorneys general, three Supreme Court judges and five magnates of the tobacco industry. The County is named for Joseph Warren, a Massachusetts doctor-soldier who died fighting for independence at Bunker Hill. One of the first settlers in what was to become Warren County was William Duke, in 1735. Tobacco immediately became the chief cash crop. In addition, tar, turpentine, hemp, flax, pork, and beef were produced for export. Warren County has maintained its historical heritage, and throughout the County are numerous evidences of a proud past. There are over 50 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Properties. Ninety percent of the Town of Warrenton's business area has been designated a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the families living here today can trace their ancestry to former leaders of Warren County and the State of North Carolina. See historical information at the NC state library site.

Location

Warren County's 443 square miles are nestled in the scenic, seasonable northeastern Piedmont section of North Carolina. Warrenton is the County Seat and is located at an elevation of 400 feet above mean sea level at latitude 780 08° West and Longitude 360 25° North. The northern boundary is coterminous with the Virginia State Line. To the east are the counties of Northampton and Halifax. The counties of Nash and Franklin are to the south and southeast, while Vance County abuts Warren to the west.

Climate

Four distinct and picturesque seasons, but mild enough to allow for year-round outdoor enjoyment. Average annual temperature is 59° F, and average minimum temperature is 48° F. The average date of the last occurrence in spring of a temperature as low as 32° F is April 11, and the average date of the first frost is October 25. The average length of freeze-free growing season is 197 days. Temperature as low as 0° F is a rarity. Rainfall is usually fairly well distributed throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of 48.5 inches.  July, on the average, has the largest amount of rain during the year and October, the least. In winter, the mountains affect the temperature of the central and eastern parts of North Carolina, for they serve as a partial barrier to many cold air masses that sweep southward over the interior of the nation. The lowest temperatures, therefore, are usually caused by air coming down from nearly due north. Some snow falls, but it is usually light, averaging seven inches per year, and melts quickly, covering the ground only for a short time. Click here to see current weather and a ten-day forecast for Warrenton, the county seat of Warren County, and click here for general regional climate information.

General Topography and Soils

The topography of Warren County is typical of the Northeastern Piedmont. Gently rolling fields and broad bottomlands are crosshatched with ancient streams with imaginative names like Nutbush, Stonehouse, Hubquarter, Hawtree, and Possumquarter. The Roanoke River crosses the northeast section of the County. The northwest section of the County, around Manson, Wise and Warren Plains, is high and flat. The predominant soil associations in Warren County are the Cecil, Georgeville-Cecil, Appling-Durham and Appling-Louisburg. These soil types cover over 72 percent of the County and as a group can be classified as gently sloping to steep, well-drained soils with sandy loam surface layers over firm, red clay to firm, silty clay subsoils. The associations offer only slight to moderate limitations for development.

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