Lenoir, North Carolina

Lenoir, North Carolina
Main Street in Downtown Lenoir
Motto: 
"Where the High Country Begins"
Location within the state of North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°54′34″N 81°31′29″W / 35.90944°N 81.52472°W / 35.90944; -81.52472
Country United States
State North Carolina
CountyCaldwell
Named afterWilliam Lenoir
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorJoseph L. Gibbons (Independent)
 • Mayor Pro TemCrissy Thomas
 • Governing bodyLenoir City Council
Area
 • Total
20.83 sq mi (53.95 km2)
 • Land20.83 sq mi (53.94 km2)
 • Water0.0077 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
1,129 ft (344 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
18,352
 • Density881.2/sq mi (340.25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
28633, 28645
Area code828
FIPS code37-37760
GNIS feature ID2404911
Websitewww.cityoflenoir.com

Lenoir (/lɛˈnɔːr/ le-NOR) is a city in and the county seat of Caldwell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 18,263 at the 2020 census. Lenoir is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the northeast are the Brushy Mountains, a spur of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hibriten Mountain, located just east of the city limits, marks the western end of the Brushy Mountains range.

Lenoir is one of the principal cities in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.