Johnston County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. In July 2007, the estimated population was 157,437 (a 29.2% increase since 2000) making it the 89th fastest growing U.S. county with a population of 10,000 or more.  Its county seat is Smithfield.

History
The county was formed in 1746 from Craven County. It was named for Gabriel Johnston, Governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752.
In 1752 parts of Johnston County, Bladen County, and Granville County were combined to form Orange County. In 1758 the eastern part of Johnston County became Dobbs County. In 1770 parts of Johnston County, Cumberland County, and Orange County were combined to form Wake County. Finally, in 1855 parts of Johnston County, Edgecombe County, Nash County, and Wayne County were combined to form Wilson County.

Law and government
Johnston County is a member of the regional Triangle J Council of Governments.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 796 square miles (2,061 km²), of which, 792 square miles (2,051 km²) of it is land and 4 square miles (10 km²) of it (0.50%) is water.

Culture
Visitor attractions in Johnston County include several heritage museums and historic sites. The Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site is located in eastern Johnston County, and it is the largest Civil War Battlefield in North Carolina. The Battle of Bentonville was fought March 19-21, 1865, and was the only Confederate offensive targeted to stop General Sherman's destructive march across the south.
The Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly has been collecting artifacts and showcasing the heritage of the Eastern North Carolina farmer for over 25 years. The site includes a museum and restored farmstead, working blacksmith shop, one-room school house and the site hosts several events each year.
The Ava Gardner Museum located in Smithfield is home to an incredible collection of artifacts such as scripts, movie posters, costumes and personal belongings of screen legend, Ava Gardner, who was born and raised in Johnston County.
The Johnston County Heritage Center is in Downtown Smithfield, and houses artifacts from all over the county. The Heritage Center has become known as one of the best equipped facilities in the country for studying local history and genealogy.
The Johnston County Arts Council promotes arts in the county and its schools.  Smithfield is home to an annual Ava Gardner Film Festival (AGFF), which celebrates the life of the actress. In 2008 the festival will screen over 40 films in four theaters, including world, regional and state premiers.  Rapper Petey Pablo mentions Johnston County in his hit song Raise Up.

Cities & Towns
The following cities and towns lie primarily within Johnston County.

• Benson
• Clayton
• Four Oaks
• Kenly
• Micro
• Pine Level
• Princeton
• Selma
• Smithfield
• West Smithfield
• Wilson's Mills

In addition, a small portion of the town of Zebulon lies within Johnston County, the majority of which lies in neighboring Wake County.

Townships
The county is divided into seventeen townships: Banner, Bentonville, Beulah, Boon Hill, Clayton, Cleveland, Elevation, Ingrams, Meadow, Micro, O'Neals, Pine Level, Pleasant Grove, Selma, Smithfield, Wilders, and Wilson Mills.

Unincorporated communities

• Archer Lodge
• Cleveland
• Emit
• Flowers
• Hocutts Crossroads
• Jordan
• McGee Crossroads
• Peacocks Crossroads
• Powhatan
• Stancils Chapel

Newspapers serving Johnston County

• Clayton News-Star
• Kenly News
• The Four Oaks-Benson News in Review
• Princeton News Leader
• The Selma News
• The Daily Record
• The Smithfield Herald
• The Cleveland Post 

(Source: Wikipedia)