Columbus County, North Carolina, named for explorer Christopher Columbus, stretches across more than 950 square miles.  Formed from sections of the counties of Bladen and Brunswick in 1808, this delightful patchwork of southern communities offers its residents a fine balance of business and recreation.

Business opportunities abound in Columbus County, where companies such as Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Georgia-Pacific Corporation and Progress Energy continue to prosper.  Columbus County lies equidistant between Canada and Key West, with easy access to highways such as Interstate 95 and US 74.  Such a centralized location sets the stage for the pro-business communities of Columbus County as well as various nationwide business markets.  A short, one hour drive provides access to the  bustling City of Wilmington, while major cities such as Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh and Washington D.C. are a mere half day’s drive outside of Columbus County, NC.  Additionally, the Port of Charleston and the Port of Wilmington, both of which are among the busiest terminals in the United States, are within a reasonable driving distance of Columbus County. 

The 2000 Census counted 55,000 residents that lived throughout Columbus County’s fifteen townships.  Columbus County’s largest incorporated areas include Chadbourn, Fair Bluff, Lake Waccamaw, Tabor City and Whiteville.  Several of the smaller towns hold populations below 1,000 residents.  These include Boardman, Bolton, Brunswick, Cerro Gordo, Evergreen and Nakina. 

Chadbourn, population 2,129, plays host to the North Carolina Strawberry Festival each May.  This vibrant community, also known as the “Sunny South Colony”, is home to the Chadbourn Depot Museum.  Fair Bluff, population 1,181, also contributes to the area’s summer fun by hosting the annual Southeastern North Carolina Watermelon Festival each July.  The waterfront community of Fair Bluff affords spectacular views from its position along the banks of the beautiful Lumber River.  Visitors to the area enjoy “Wild & Scenic” canoe and kayak tours through the area.  Lake Waccamaw is home to the annual Winter Festival each December.  Popular destinations in Lake Waccamaw include the Green Swamp, the Lake Waccamaw Depot Museum and the State Park and Visitor Center.  In addition, the local landscape features a fascinating array of rare plants like the Venus Flytrap and unique species such as the Waccamaw Killifish.  The population is 1,411.

Located at the southernmost tip of Columbus County, Tabor City is home to more than 2,500 residents. Affectionately called the “Yam Capital of the World”, Tabor City pays homage to its namesake via the annual North Carolina Yam Festival each October.  Whiteville, population 5,148, serves as the center of commerce and the seat of Columbus County.  Renowned for community celebrations such as the Fire Ant Festival and the North Carolina Pecan Harvest Festival, Whiteville features a lovely downtown area with unique shops, a wide array of local cuisine and is home to the North Carolina Museum of Forestry.

Columbus County, North Carolina embodies the historic South, while moving headlong into the future. Enviable communities, coupled with access to major urban areas such as Myrtle Beach and Wilmington ranks Columbus County among NC’s finest places to live, work and raise a family.

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