Market

Stanly County, North Carolina, on the eastern edge of the Charlotte USA Region, offers so many lifestyle advantages to those of us who call it home. Parents and employers will brag about the quality of our public and private schools. Our higher-education institutions ensure that local residents have the skills and knowledge they need to power the economy, and Carolinas Healthcare System – Stanly and other healthcare providers keep everyone in great shape.

We’re home to the natural beauty of the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, with the Uwharrie National Forest and breathtaking Morrow Mountain State Park, so it’s no surprise that Stanly County offers an abundance of outdoor recreation. Whether we’re boating, swimming, or fishing on more than 10,000 acres of lakes (and 175 miles of shoreline!), nature hiking or hunting in the forest, or playing 18 on a pretty Saturday morning, there’s plenty to do here. Big-city shopping, dining, and entertainment are very close by in Charlotte. Best of all, we can enjoy it and then return to a quieter way of life.

Population

Stanly County: 61,000
Albemarle: 16,000

Major Employers

Stanly County is home to major employers such as Michelin, Carolinas Medical Center Stanly, Monarch, Fiberon and Shult Homes.

Education

The school system in Stanly County, North Carolina is a source of pride for local residents and the business community. Stanly County Public Schools are designed in an Elementary K-5; Middle School 6-8 and High School 9-12 configuration.  Also as a part of our public school system, we have the Stanly Early College located on the Stanly Community College campus and we have the Stanly Learning Academy.  Located in the Village of Misenheimer is Gray Stone Day School, which is a charter school focused on college prep and is ranked first in North Carolina among America’s Top High Schools.  Stanly County also gives parents several private-school and early-childhood options.

Our community expects a high-quality education for all children, and our schools deliver.  Just as important, our community’s teachers have earned a reputation for taking a deep personal interest in the success of their students.

Local school administrators understand the needs of the business community and tailor programs to ensure that graduates are ready to become successful employees.  Through the Career and College Readiness pathways, students can begin studies in college classes that can jumpstart their careers.

Therefore, in Stanly County a pipeline of an eager and educated workforce is available to make our business employers successful.

History

The site of modern-day Stanly County was originally peopled by small tribes of hunter-gatherers and Mound Builders whose artifacts and settlements have been dated back nearly 10,000 years. Large-scale European settlement of the region came in the mid-18th century via two primary waves: immigrants of Dutch, Scots-Irish and German descent moved from Pennsylvania and New Jersey seeking enhanced religious and political tolerance, while immigrants of English backgrounds came to the region from Virginia and the Cape Fear River Basin in Eastern North Carolina.

In early English colonial times, the Stanly County area was politically part of the New Hanover Precinct, out of which the Bladen Precinct was created in 1734. The renamed Bladen County was subdivided to create Anson County in 1750, which in turn spawned Montgomery County in 1779.

Stanly County was formed in 1841 from the part of Montgomery County west of the Pee Dee River. It was named for John Stanly of New Bern (1774–1834), who served several terms in the North Carolina House of Commons and two terms (1801–1803, 1809–1811) in the United States House of Representatives.

Recreation

Water, Air, Land…Adventure!

All the things that make Stanly County, North Carolina such a great place to live also attract visitors to our area.  That’s particularly true of our many outdoor resources.  With 10,000 acres of shimmering lakes and ponds (including the beautiful Lake Tillery and Badin Lake), many people view us as the ideal place for fishing and boating.  Canoe enthusiasts find the right balance of scenery and challenge along our many miles of streams, while hunters, hikers, and campers explore thousands of acres of nature and old-growth forests.  Uwharrie National Forest and Morrow Mountain State Park are destinations for thousands of visitors each year.

If your outdoor preferences include challenging fairways and lush greens, you’ll find several golf courses to love. And, once leisure time rolls around, you can also relax at one of our outstanding wineries.  If equestrian pursuits are to your liking, you’ll find The Fork Farm & Stables to be a truly unique experience.

In fact, visiting Stanly County is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the eastern Charlotte USA Region’s many benefits and amenities.  While you’re here, be sure to stop in and say hello!

Area Information

Connecting with our local resources.

Stanly County, North Carolina offers businesses a wide variety of resources to help you establish operations here quickly.  In addition to trusted vendors and eager business partners, you’ll find a variety of information sources to help you learn more about life and business opportunities here.  Click any of the links on this page to get started.

Partner Links

Stanly County Government

Stanly County Chamber of Commerce

Stanly County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation

Stanly Community College Economic Development

Stanly Community College Small Business Center

Charlotte Regional Partnership

Centralina Workforce Development Board

Publications

Stanly County Profile – 2017

Stanly County Relocation Guide

Stanly County Travel Guide

North Carolina Fact Sheet