North Carolina

Swain

14,117
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About Swain

Swain, North Carolina, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 3,784. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 14,117.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 5 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Cherokee War — Battle of Echoe (1760), Rutherford's Campaign against Cherokee Overhill Towns, Sevier's Expedition against Cherokee (1781), and 11 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202014,117
201013,981
200012,968
199011,268
198010,283
19707,861
19608,387
19509,921
194012,177
193011,568
192013,224
191010,403
19008,401
18906,577
18803,784
Source

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

Battles & engagements in Swain

Military engagements that took place in Swain, North Carolina.

Cherokee War — Battle of Echoe (1760)
1760
Rutherford's Campaign against Cherokee Overhill Towns
1776
Sevier's Expedition against Cherokee (1781)
1781
Oconaluftee Cherokee Resistance — Thomas's Legion (1838)
1838
Thomas' Legion — Fighting at Deep Creek Gap
1864

Historic places in Swain

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

Governors Island
Bryson City
Nununyi Mound and Village Site
Cherokee
Oconaluftee Baptist Church
Cherokee
Swain County Courthouse
Bryson City
Hyatt, Abel, House
Bryson City
Hall Cabin
Fontana
Frye-Randolph House and Fryemont Inn
Bryson City
Browse all North Carolinahistoric sites ›

Other counties in North Carolina

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

CurrituckDareDavidsonDavieDuplinDurhamEdgecombeForsythFranklinGastonGatesGrahamGranvilleGreeneGuilfordHalifaxHarnettHaywoodHendersonHertford
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Swain County, North Carolina

This page charts the census history of Swain 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 Swain 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 Swain

When does Swain first appear in the US census?
Swain, North Carolina first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 3,784.
What is the population of Swain?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Swain had a recorded population of 14,117.
Were any battles fought in Swain?
5 documented military engagements took place in Swain, including Cherokee War — Battle of Echoe (1760), Rutherford's Campaign against Cherokee Overhill Towns, Sevier's Expedition against Cherokee (1781).
How many historic places are in Swain?
11 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Swain, 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