Catawba County, Administrative county in western North Carolina, US
Catawba County spans western North Carolina with seven municipalities, including Newton as the county seat and Hickory as its largest city. The area contains different neighborhoods and urban centers that function as the economic and social hubs of the region.
The county was established in 1842 from territory formerly part of Lincoln County and took its name from the Catawba River and the Native American people who lived here. These origins continue to define the area's identity today.
The area maintains German and Scots-Irish traditions through local festivals and community gatherings across its towns. These heritage connections shape how people celebrate and gather together today.
Interstate 40 and NC-16 provide direct access to the county and connect the region to major cities like Charlotte. These routes make it easy to navigate through the area and move between its towns.
The area houses a large data center for cloud services in Maiden, operated by one of the largest privately owned solar installations in the country. This modern facility shows how the traditional region has reinvented itself economically.
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