North Carolina

Surry

71,359
2020 population
1790
first census record
24
census records

About Surry

Surry, North Carolina, first appears in the United States federal census in 1790, when it recorded a population of 7,191. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 71,359.

Its recorded population peaked at 73,673 in 2010, and has since declined by roughly 3 percent.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Stoneman's Raid — Dobson NC, Stoneman's Raid — Mount Airy NC, Stoneman's Raid — Elkin NC, and 32 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202071,359
201073,673
200071,219
199061,704
198059,449
197051,415
196048,205
195045,593
194041,783
193039,749
192032,464
191029,705
190025,515
189019,281
188015,302
187011,252
186010,380
185018,443
184015,079
183014,504
182012,320
181010,366
18009,505
17907,191
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Surry

Military engagements that took place in Surry, North Carolina.

Stoneman's Raid — Dobson NC
1865
Stoneman's Raid — Mount Airy NC
1865
Stoneman's Raid — Elkin NC
1865

Historic places in Surry

National Register of Historic Places listings in Surry, North Carolina.

Surry County Courthouse
Dobson
Atkinson, Samuel Josiah, House
Siloam
Rockford Historic District
Rockford
Moore, William Alfred, House
Mount Airy
Gwyn Avenue-Bridge Street Historic District
Elkin
Cundiff, C. C., House
Siloam
Renfro Mill
Mount Airy
Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, (former)
Elkin
Cedar Point
Elkin
Mount Airy Historic District (Boundary Decrease)
Mount Airy
Downtown Elkin Historic District
Elkin
Hauser Farm
Pinnacle
Mount Airy Historic District (Boundary Increase II)
Mount Airy
Mount Airy Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Mount Airy
Mount Airy Historic District (Additional Documentation)
Mount Airy
Marion House and Marion Brothers Store
Siloam
North Carolina Granite Corporation Quarry Complex
Mount Airy
Haystack Farm
Oak Grove
Carter, W. F., House
Mount Airy
Trinity Episcopal Church
Mount Airy
Franklin, Bernard, House
Dobson
Browse all North Carolinahistoric sites ›

Other counties in North Carolina

Explore census history and historic records for more North Carolina counties.

PerquimansPersonPittPolkRandolphRichmondRobesonRockinghamRowanRutherfordSampsonScotlandStanlyStokesSwainTransylvaniaTyrrellUnionVanceWake
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Surry County, North Carolina

This page charts the census history of Surry County, North Carolina. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Surry County, North Carolina report
Or see a real report first

Explore North Carolina records

North Carolinahistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from North Carolina›

Frequently asked about Surry

When does Surry first appear in the US census?
Surry, North Carolina first appears in the federal census in 1790, with a recorded population of 7,191.
What is the population of Surry?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Surry had a recorded population of 71,359.
When did Surry's population peak?
Surry's recorded population peaked at 73,673 in 2010.
Were any battles fought in Surry?
3 documented military engagements took place in Surry, including Stoneman's Raid — Dobson NC, Stoneman's Raid — Mount Airy NC, Stoneman's Raid — Elkin NC.
How many historic places are in Surry?
32 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Surry, North Carolina.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report