Stanly County

Stanly County was formed from a portion of Montgomery County in 1841 and is located some 30 miles northeast of Charlotte. It is situated between Charlotte and the Uwharries, offering a mix of the small-town lifestyle and outdoor recreation. Its largest town is the county seat of Albemarle, but others include Locust, Oakboro and Badin. Stanly County has been steadily growing with the population having increased about 10% since the 2020 Census. Today, it is home to around 68,800 residents.

The county boasts numerous outdoor recreation activities with easy access to Badin Lake and Lake Tillery. The Pee Dee River also forms much of the eastern border, offering opportunities for boating, fishing and scenic landscape views.

Historically, Stanly County’s economy was centered around manufacturing textiles and other industrial production. Today, manufacturing remains important as major economic activities still include automotive-related products, industrial products and aircraft tires. Recently, the economy has also diversified to include energy production and distribution, retail, and healthcare.

Stanly County is an interesting middle ground between the small town lifestyle and the growth of metropolitan Charlotte. It has become an attractive destination for those who enjoy outdoor recreation, tight-knit communities and a slower pace of life

However, its status as a middle-ground county has resulted in uneven population growth. The western part of the county is experiencing more Charlotte-driven development while parts of eastern Stanly County remain more rural. Decision-makers are faced with the challenge of preserving local character and facilitating growth.

Photos by Nancy Pierce and Jeff Michael.

Stanly County links