Caswell County, North Carolina

Caswell County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is located in the Piedmont Triad region, bordering Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 22,736. Its county seat is Yanceyville.

The towns of Yanceyville and Milton are the only two incorporated communities in Caswell County. Unincorporated communities in the county include Blanch, Casville, Cherry Grove, Leasburg, Pelham, Prospect Hill, Providence, and Semora.

The Dan River and Hyco Lake are notable geographic features, with Hyco Lake serving as a popular recreation area.

The area that is now Caswell County has at least 12,000 years of human history, beginning with Indigenous habitation. Colonial-era settlement began in the mid-18th century, and the county became a hub for bright leaf tobacco farming in the 19th century, shaping the local economy, which relied heavily on enslaved labor before the Civil War.

The county was established in 1777 from the northern portion of Orange County during the American Revolutionary War and was named for Richard Caswell, the first governor of North Carolina. Early settlers were Scotch-Irish, German, French Huguenot, and English migrants seeking fertile land.

Caswell County has played a role in significant national events, including the American Revolution, Reconstruction, and the civil rights movement. Today, the county is known for its historic landmarks, cultural tourism, and a diversifying economy across multiple sectors.