Johnston County was formed from Craven in 1746
and named for Gabriel Johnston who was the royal
governor of North Carolina from 1734-1752. It
was later used to form parts of Dobbs, Orange,
Wake and Wilson counties. With a total area of
796 square miles and an estimated population of
185,660 in 2015, Johnston County is one of the
fastest growing counties in the United States.
Although it's value to surrounding counties is
clear, Johnston County genealogy has also been
a necessary resource for many southern descendents
who are searching for their forefathers, many
of which settled briefly in Johnston County before
continuing their journeys to other Southern states.
Towns: Archer Lodge, Benson, Clayton,
Four Oaks, Kenly, Micro, Pine Level, Princeton,
Selma, Smithfield (county seat) and Wilson's Mills
Townships: Banner, Bentonville, Beulah,
Boon Hill, Clayton, Cleveland, Elevation, Ingrams,
Meadow, Micro, O'Neals, Pine Level, Pleasant Grove,
Selma, Smithfield, Wilders and Wilson's Mills
Unincorporated Communities: Cleveland,
Emit, Flowers, Hocutt's Crossroads, Jordan, McGee's
Crossroads, Peacock's Crossroads, Powhatan and
Stancil's Chapel |