Population
The 2012 population estimates show the population to be 124,246.
The municipalities located in Wayne County include the city of Goldsboro; the towns of Eureka, Fremont, Mount Olive, Pikeville and Seven Springs and the Village of Walnut Creek. Goldsboro-Wayne County has been named a metropolitan statistical area by the United States government.
Government
Wayne County is governed by a commissioner-manager system consisting of 7 members elected for 4-year terms. One commissioner is elected from each of 6 different voting districts in the County and 1 member is elected countywide. All 7 members serve concurrent 4-year terms. The partisan elections for the Board of Commissioners are held in November during the Presidential election year. The Board elects a Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among its members the 1st meeting in December annually.
Physical Characteristics
Wayne County’s surface is level to gently rolling uplands with broad bottoms along the rivers and some creeks. Elevations are predominately 120 to 145 feet above sea level.
The largest waterway, the Neuse River, bisects the lower central portion of the county and cuts a deep channel 20 to 40 feet deep as it flows in an eastward direction. Unusual river bluffs occur in the vicinity of Seven Springs. In addition to the Neuse River, the county is drained by the Little River, the Northeast Cape Fear and numerous creeks. Wayne County is underlain by unconsolidated beds of sand, clay and gravel.
Economic Barometer
Wayne County’s local industries are involved in a range of operations from simple assembly to complex manufacturing processes resulting in products ranging from bread and poultry feed to automobile parts and electric transformers. Substantial technological improvements in recent years involving modernization of plant facilities and the addition of sophisticated manufacturing equipment have resulted in enhanced profitability and productivity for many of the local manufacturing firms.
Weather & Climate
The combination of a mild climate, a freeze-free growing season of about 225 days and a wide range of soil types contribute to a highly productive agricultural area. Total gross farm sales in Wayne County in 2006 was approximately $329,082,138. Field crops, including the primary crops of tobacco, corn, cotton, soybeans, and wheat accounted for nearly 12% of the farm income or $38,583,389.
Livestock & Poultry Production
Income from livestock and poultry production was $236,287,547 in 2006 and derived primarily from swine operations. Swine production has increased rapidly, making it the single largest source of farm income. In 2006 farm income from swine production was $75,409,690 or 23% of all farm income.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is home to the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing. The annual civilian and military payroll is over $407 million. In fiscal year 2021, the economic impact at the base totaled over $727 million.