The county was formed in 1839 from the western part of Macon County. It was named for the Cherokee Native Americans, some of whom still live in the area. In 1861 the southeastern part of Cherokee County became Clay County. In 1872, its northeastern part was also separated and became Graham County.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. Located in the southern Appalachian Mountains, Cherokee County contains a varied natural landscape. Portions of the county fall within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest, and the Hiwassee River – a tributary of the Tennessee River – flows through the county from southeast to northwest. In April 1974, parts of Cherokee County were affected by a historic weather event – the 1974 Super Outbreak of tornadoes, which affected parts of 13 states and was the second-largest such event to be recorded in the U.S.
Indian reservation
Portions of the Qualla Boundary, also known as the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation, are located in Cherokee County. These are non-contiguous and are separate from the main part of the Qualla Boundary, which is in Swain and Jackson counties. The land is exclusive territory of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is protected by Tribal Police of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. Following the success of the Harrah's Cherokee Tribal Casino in Cherokee, a second tribal casino on a plot of Indian land in the Murphy city limits opened in 2015.
US 64 – the longest highway in North Carolina, and a cross country highway, passes through the county east–west. US 74, which links Chattanooga, Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington, is a major 4 lane highway through the county. US 19 and US 129 also pass through the county, providing connections to Atlanta to the south and Knoxville to the north.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 24,298 people, 10,336 households, and 7,369 families residing in the county. The population density was 53 people per square mile. There were 13,499 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 94.82% White, 1.59% Black or African American, 1.63% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.3% were of American, 10.8% Irish, 10.6% German and 10.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.7% spoke English and 1.2% Spanish as their first language. There were 10,336 households out of which 25.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.76. In the county, the population was spread out with 20.60% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 28.80% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males. The median income for a household in the county was $27,992, and the median income for a family was $33,768. Males had a median income of $26,127 versus $18,908 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,814. About 11.70% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.20% of those under age 18 and 18.00% of those age 65 or over.
Mandated by the laws of the State of North Carolina, Cherokee County is governed by an elected for four years five member Board of Commissioners. The Board directs the actions of the appointed Cherokee County Manager.
Public safety
Sheriff and police
Court protection, jail management, and security for county owned property plus patrol and detective services for unincorporated county areas is provided by the Cherokee County Sheriff. Towns Murphy and Andrews have municipal police departments. The Qualla Boundary tribal police provide security for the Cherokee Nation's Qualla Boundary territories throughout the county.
Fire and EMS
Fire protection is provided by thirteen all-volunteer fire departments in the county including thise at Culberson and Murphy.. Cherokee County Fire Inspector activity is part of the Cherokee County Building Code Enforcement Office.
Politics
As is becoming increasingly universal for Appalachia, Cherokee is a powerfully Republican county. No Democratic presidential candidate has carried Cherokee County since Jimmy Carter in 1976, and the past five Republican candidates have all exceeded 65 percent of the county's vote, with Donald Trump exceeding 75 percent. In the North Carolina House of Representatives, Cherokee County lies with the 120th District, which also covers Clay, Graham and Macon Counties and is represented by Republican Kevin Corbin. In the North Carolina Senate, Cherokee County lies within the 50th Senate District, represented by Republican Senator Jim Davis and covering all those within the 120th House District, as well as Swain, Jackson and Haywood Counties. Cherokee County is a member of the regional Southwestern Commissioncouncil of governments.
