Lincoln County, North Carolina

Lincoln County, North Carolina
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Interactive map of Lincoln County, North Carolina
Coordinates: 35°29′N 81°14′W / 35.49°N 81.23°W / 35.49; -81.23
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1779
Named afterBenjamin Lincoln
SeatLincolnton
Largest communityLincolnton
Area
 • Total
304.87 sq mi (789.6 km2)
 • Land295.85 sq mi (766.2 km2)
 • Water9.02 sq mi (23.4 km2)  2.96%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
86,810
 • Estimate 
(2024)
97,611
 • Density293.4/sq mi (113.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district10th
Websitewww.lincolncounty.org

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,810, making it the most populous "Lincoln County" in the United States. Its county seat is Lincolnton. Lincoln County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.