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PHYSICAL, DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC STATISTICS
Introduction
Sampson County was created in 1784 from Duplin County. Later it annexed portions of New Hanover and Wayne County to arrive at its present size. Settlers began arriving as early as 1740, moving up South and Black Rivers from the seacoast at Wilmington. The southern end of the county once contained large cotton plantations; but today, this end of Sampson County is largely devoted to the growing of pine trees. The dense woods have provided shelter for a large number of deer which make hunting quite good during deer season.
Not far from the banks of the Black River in Ivanhoe is the Black River Presbyterian Church whose first pastor arrived from Scotland, via Wilmington, in a boat which came up the river. Tradition has it that a part of the lumber from the boat was used to build the first church there. Services were held in Gaelic for many years as the population of the area contained many Scotch-Irish.
Sampson has eight incorporated towns. Clinton, the county seat, is the largest and oldest, having been incorporated in 1852. Others include Autryville, Garland, Harrells, Newton Grove, Roseboro, Salemburg and Turkey.
Sampson County’s most prominent citizen was William Rufus King, Ambassador to England and France and Vice President of the United States. He died in office in 1853. Another notable citizen was Governor Gabriel Holmes, who served three one-year terms from 1821-1824. Other historic figures include Theophilus Holmes, Lieutenant General in the Confederate Army and the highest ranking officer in North Carolina during the Civil War; Richard Clinton (1721-1796), county native who died with Davy Crocket in the Battle of the Alamo; James Kenan (1740-1810), planter, soldier, legislator; Robert Herring Wright (1870-1934), first President of the East Carolina Teachers College; James Franklin Highsmith (1868-1940), organizer of the Hospital Association of North Carolina and founder of a hospital in Fayetteville.
Traditionally, Sampson County has been perceived as a predominantly agricultural region. Over the years, agriculture and its related industries have grown into a $357 million dollar business. Sampson County has become one of the state’s leading producers of poultry and vegetables and the nation’s number one producer of pork. Today, however, industries have realized that Sampson County enjoys not only a seasonal climate conducive to agricultural growth, but also a progressive business climate that encourages diverse industrial growth as well.
Throughout the County there are a variety of suitable industrial locations including the 799-acre Sampson Southeastern Business Complex located in the county seat of Clinton. This attractive park features hard-serviced, curbed and guttered roads, street lighting and offers water and sewer as well as natural gas and high-speed internet access. Within the park, international companies such as Schindler Elevator Corporation, Schindler Step and Nuway Speaker Products, Inc. are joined by a variety of industrial firms such as DuBose Strapping, Inc., Nestaway, DuBose National Energy Services, Superior Components, Steel Technologies and DuBose Industries. Additional industrial parks include the Roseboro Industrial Park in Roseboro and the J. B. Warren Industrial Site in Newton Grove.
For those industries who wish to locate outside the park, there are abundant opportunities for industrial development. Rail access is available at many sites. With excellent transportation infrastructure in place many sites offer convenient access to I-40 and I-95. Phase I of a multi-phase county-wide water distribution system is complete, Phase II is in progress. Progress Energy has installed gas lines serving the important NC Highway 24 industrial corridor.
With a population of over 61,000 residents, Sampson County offers industries a large stable labor force. Known for their traditional values and strong work ethic, our citizens have proven to be dedicated and skilled workers. Sampson County’s own Employment and Training Department, the Employment Security Commission and the Sampson Community College ensure that our labor force is constantly trained and prepared for the demands of the workplace.
Sampson County residents enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in quiet neighborhoods and communities, yet are conveniently located only an hour’s drive from the state capitol and the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic. Locally, there are a broad range of cultural and recreational activities available including the Sampson Parks and Recreation, Sampson Community Theater and the newly formed Sampson CenterStage Performing Arts Series.
The county offers two public school systems and one private school. Sampson Community College offers varied courses of study including nursing, and other occupational programs, both technical and vocational. The North Carolina Justice Academy in Salemburg provides criminal justice training for many state and local law enforcement agencies.
Sampson County has combined the advantages of a seasonal climate and a gracious, relaxed lifestyle with an ideal business environment that includes abundant industrial sites, easy accessibility, a stable workforce and reasonable tax rates.
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