Cherokee County, North Carolina

Founding: 1839
Parent county: Macon

Namesake: The Cherokee people
Seat: Murphy (1839–)

Land area: 455 square miles

Population (2020): 28,774

Population (historic): 3,427 (1840); 9,166 (1860); 8,182 (1880); 11,860 (1900); 16,151 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1840–1860; 1870–1940; 1970–2020

Subdivisions: Two towns; one CDP

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 646 (3.6%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 22.1%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 2.2%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 35%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 30.1%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $370
Average outbuilding value (1930): $137
Average farmhouse size (1940): 4.2 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 1,903
Average farm size (1920): 21.9 acres
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Murphy

Namesake: Archibald Murphey, North Carolina politician

Founding: 1839 (platting); 1839 (post office); 1851 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 1,608

Population (historic): 175 (1870); 803 (1890); 977 (1910); 1,612 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1870; 1880s; 1900–1950
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 176 (18%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. William Walker House (c. 1844). 385 Junaluska Road.

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