Hanover, Brunswick County: North Carolina's Neighbors

New Hanover County and Brunswick County are two of North Carolina's most popular tourist destinations. Located in the southeastern tip of North Carolina, New Hanover County is home to nearly 200,000 residents and is bordered by 31 miles of Atlantic shoreline and the Cape Fear River. The county is known for its rich history, thriving arts community, and beautiful beaches. Meanwhile, Brunswick County is the southernmost county in North Carolina and is famous for its seafood, rich maritime history, and golf courses. It is conveniently located between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, offering visitors and residents alike a unique blend of small-town charm and easy access to larger cities.

Brunswick County, North Carolina, was formed in 1764 from New Hanover and Bladen Counties

Brunswick County, located in the US state of North Carolina, was formed in 1764 from New Hanover and Bladen Counties. The county was named after King George I, who was also the Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg. Early inhabitants of Brunswick County included the Cape Fear Indians, followed by English and French Huguenot settlers.

Brunswick County is the southernmost county in North Carolina and is part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 136,693, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. The county seat is Bolivia, which has a population of around 150 people, making it one of the least populous county seats in the state. However, the largest community in the county is Leland.

Brunswick County is known for its accessible and popular ocean communities, including Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Bald Head Island, which is also the southernmost point of North Carolina. The county also features several historic sites, such as Orton Plantation and Gardens, dating back to the early 1700s, and the Bald Head Island Lighthouse, also known as "Old Baldy".

The economy of Brunswick County is largely driven by tourism, with beach communities and popular destinations like Bald Head Island and Oak Island. The county also has a growing retirement community, with retirees contributing significantly to the local economy through dividends, pensions, and Social Security payments.

The county is named after King George I, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg

Brunswick County in North Carolina is named after King George I, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg.

George I was born in 1660 in the city of Hanover in the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire. He was the eldest son of Ernest Augustus, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and his wife, Sophia of the Palatinate. Sophia was the granddaughter of King James I of England, through her mother, Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia.

George inherited the titles and lands of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg from his father and uncles. In 1692, he became Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (also known as Hanover, after its capital) and Archbannerbearer and a Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1701, the English Parliament passed the Act of Settlement, which designated Sophia of Hanover, granddaughter of James I, as the heir presumptive to the English throne after the reigning monarch, Anne. The Act was designed to ensure a Protestant succession to the throne, as anti-Catholic sentiment ran high in Northern Europe and Great Britain at the time. Sophia predeceased Anne, but her son and heir, George I, succeeded as King of Great Britain when Anne died in August 1714.

In addition to becoming King of Great Britain and Ireland, George I also ruled the Electorate of Hanover in personal union with Britain. This meant that the British crown was in personal union with the duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (electorate of Hanover).

Brunswick County in North Carolina was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County. It was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town, which itself was named for King George I, who was also Duke of Brunswick.

The county seat is Bolivia, but it was previously located in Southport

Brunswick County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the southernmost county in the state and, as of the 2020 census, the population was 136,693. The county seat is Bolivia, a town with a population of around 150 people, making it one of the least populous county seats in the state.

The county seat was previously located in Southport, then known as Smithville, from 1808 until 1975. In 1975, a referendum was passed to move the county seat to Bolivia. Southport, previously known as Smithville, was designated the county seat in 1808, three years after the town was incorporated. During the antebellum era, Brunswick County experienced some growth, with the slave labour force increasing to serve local plantations. By 1860, over 44% of the county's population were slaves.

During the American Civil War, Confederate forces erected Fort Anderson near the ruins of Brunswick Town to defend against federal attacks on the Cape Fear River and the Port of Wilmington. Following the war, Brunswick County did not experience much growth in the latter half of the 19th century. In 1887, Smithville was renamed Southport. In the 1930s, development along the county's beaches occurred, and between 1955 and 1975, six communities on the county's barrier islands were incorporated.

In 1975, the county seat was moved to Bolivia, a small town in Brunswick County with a population of over 160 people. The town was settled by European Americans in the 1890s and was incorporated in 1911. One theory suggests that the town was named after the country of Bolivia in South America due to the number of boxes being shipped from the area with the name "Bolivia" stamped on them. A post office called Bolivia has been in operation since 1892.

Brunswick County is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina

The county's Planning Director, Kirstie Dixon, attributes this rapid growth to its location between Wilmington and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She also points to the county's "bedroom communities" and "gorgeous beaches" as additional attractions. The towns of Leland, Belville, Southport, and Oak Island have been identified as some of the fastest-growing areas in the county. Leland, in particular, has experienced significant growth since the onset of the pandemic, with an 8.6% increase in population between April 2020 and July 2021.

Brunswick County's economy is largely driven by tourism, with popular beach communities like Bald Head Island and Oak Island. The county's southern beaches and seaside towns, such as Calabash, are major draws for visitors. The area is also known for its fried seafood, with "Calabash-style" restaurants attracting food lovers. The county's proximity to Cinespace Wilmington has also made it a popular filming location for movies and TV shows.

The growth in Brunswick County has presented some challenges, particularly regarding affordable housing. However, the county's economy is relatively robust, with growth in the food service and retail sectors. The presence of retirees also contributes significantly to the local economy through various income sources, including investments and Social Security payments.

New Hanover County is one of the most populous counties in North Carolina

New Hanover County was created in 1729 as New Hanover Precinct and gained county status in 1739. The county was formed from Craven Precinct, which was part of Bath County at the time. In 1734, parts of New Hanover Precinct became Bladen and Onslow Precincts. Following the abolition of Bath County in 1739, all of its constituent precincts, including New Hanover, became counties.

Over time, New Hanover County's borders changed as new counties were formed. In 1750, the northern part of New Hanover became Duplin County. In 1764, a portion of New Hanover County was combined with part of Bladen County to establish Brunswick County. Finally, in 1875, the separation of the northern section of New Hanover County to create Pender County resulted in the current boundaries of New Hanover.

The county has a rich history, particularly during the American Civil War, when it was the site of significant battles such as the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, the last major coastal stronghold of the Confederacy. New Hanover County also witnessed racial tensions and civil rights struggles, with a notable incident being the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, where a biracial city government was overthrown by white Democrats, resulting in violent riots and the deaths of 60 to 300 African Americans.

Today, New Hanover County continues to be a significant region in North Carolina, known for its diverse communities and political competitiveness. The county is represented by a mix of Republican and Democratic officials at various levels of government.

Frequently asked questions