The North Carolina Geodetic Survey (NCGS) received a request in 2022 to re-establish the shared border between Lincoln County and Catawba County. The former boundary, as it stood prior to the change, had been established in 1842 and had been undisputed until that point. The request was submitted to resolve certain discrepancies the counties were having in regards to the border, and the NCGS created a straight-line boundary to rectify the problem. On February 2, 2025, the new border became permanent by default as neither county negated the change before that deadline.
About eight hundred parcels of land, homes and businesses alike, suddenly were in a new county; most moving from Lincoln County into Catawba County. Amid growing frustrations, the county governments tried to appease citizens by allowing students who were enrolled in a school located in their original county to stay at that school through graduation. Nonetheless, many constituents were outraged and demanded that their local government take action. Contentious issues included voting district changes, EMS/fire services, property tax bills, and home values. Lincoln County officials claimed they advocated against the change but “were unable to reach a resolution with Catawba County.”
On June 30, 2025, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified House Bill 173 that essentially does away with the boundary instituted in February of this year. The Lincoln-Catawba County boundary line will be recognized as the 2020 Federal Census defines it. Currently, residents and business owners are switching back to the county they were originally a part of and are relieved at the return to normalcy. We will continue to keep you informed on any potential boundary changes.
