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 descendants 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: Allens Crossroads, Bagley, Cleveland, Emit, Flowers, Grabtown, Hocutts Crossroads, Jordan, McGee Crossroads, Peacocks Crossroads, Powhatan, Spilona, Stancils Chapel, West Smithfield, and Willow Spring