Jackson County, North Carolina
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. Since 1913, its county seat has been Sylva, which replaced Webster.
Jackson County | |
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Jackson County Courthouse in Sylva | |
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Flag Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina | |
North Carolina's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 35.29°N 83.12°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Founded | 1851 |
| Named for | Andrew Jackson |
| Seat | Sylva |
| Largest community | Cullowhee |
| Area | |
| • Total | 494.88 sq mi (1,281.7 km2) |
| • Land | 491.11 sq mi (1,272.0 km2) |
| • Water | 3.77 sq mi (9.8 km2) 0.76% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 43,109 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 44,574 |
| • Density | 87.78/sq mi (33.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 11th |
| Website | www |
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 the 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, former Indian Territory.