Community Profiles

Creative energy thrives in Lenoir, the county seat of Caldwell County. A stroll through downtown is to experience the arts — the Smithsonian recognizes its permanent public outdoor sculpture collection as the largest per capita in the nation. This community spirit further fuels Lenoir to be a place where people forge partnerships to build a better future. From the entrepreneurs who made Lenoir the furniture manufacturing center of the South to the local biotech and cyberspace industries, Lenoir is continually growing....Learn More »

The Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as the area in the Catawba Valley region of Western North Carolina consisting of four counties: Caldwell, Catawba, Alexanderand Burke. It is an important economic hub for the Western Piedmont region furniture making, textiles and food processing industries....Learn More »

Located squarely in the Piedmont plateau of Western North Carolina, Cajah’s Mountain is a small, family-oriented town, with a population of 2,870 residents. Situated between the City of Lenoir to the north, the Town of Hudson to the east and the Town of Gamewell to the west, the Town of Cajah’s Mountain sits within the triangle formed by Interstate 40, US 321 and US 64/NC18....Learn More »

The 8.1-square-mile town of Gamewell sits in southwestern Caldwell County in the valley of Lower Creek, a southwestward-flowing tributary of the Catawba River. Gamewell is bordered on the northeast by the county seat, Lenoir. U.S. Route 64 passes through Gamewell to connect Lenoir and Morganton....Learn More »

Granite Falls, situated in Southern Caldwell County, is located partly on Lake Hickory and less than five miles from US 40 and Hickory. Granite Falls has enjoyed a boom in commercial growth along US 321....Learn More »

Hudson, located south of Lenoir, is logistically connected via US 321 and US 321-A and is home to many of Caldwell County's industrial leaders, such as Kincaid Furniture, Shurtape Technologies, Shuford Mills and Sealed Air Corporation. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is one of Hudson’s most recognizable landmarks from US 321. Hudson's downtown features a mix of mom-and-pop businesses and eateries. The HUB Station is a unique asset featuring both arts and business centers. The HUB’s goal is to inspire a coworking community for artists, small businesses, start-up companies and entrepreneurs....Learn More »

Rhodhiss is a town in Caldwell and Burke counties, bordered to the north by the town of Granite Falls. The Catawba River runs through the center of the town, which is located just east of Rhodhiss Dam. Burlington Mills in Rhodhiss wove the material for the U.S. flag that astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin erected on the first visit to the moon in 1969....Learn More »

Known as the “Biggest Little Town in the Foothills,” Sawmills focuses on community spirit and a family-friendly atmosphere. In Sawmills, businesses thrive, and family comes first: several events are scheduled in Baird Drive Park throughout the year to help small businesses grow, and families spend time together.  The town has Caldwell County’s second-largest population and is among the largest in land area. This close-knit community is home to the county’s largest public school, South Caldwell High School, and many lakeside residential lots....Learn More »

Cedar Rock, incorporated in 1997, is located in east-central Caldwell County, northeast of Lenoir, the county seat. The village of 335 residents surrounds the Cedar Rock Country Club and climbs the northern slopes of the Brushy Mountains....Learn More »