NEWTON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — People living along the Catawba-Lincoln County line may call the other municipality home next month.
On Feb. 2, the state-defined horizontal boundary between Catawba County and Lincoln County will be re-established to correspond with a survey by the North Carolina Geodetic Survey.
The boundary was established by the state in 1842, but Catawba Country officials say over decades of parcel changes, the commonly recognized line between the two counties gradually shifted. This has caused discrepancies regarding the boundary’s actual location and confusion among property owners.
A Catawba County property map shows the impacted properties span the entire length of the line, from Lake Norman to the east to Will Hudson Road near Lawndale to the west. There are parcels that were originally just in Lincoln or Catawba, but are now are split between the two.
In early 2022, Lincoln County initiated discussions with Catawba County regarding the accuracy of the boundary line. In April 2022, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners requested a boundary line survey from the NCGS, and the Catawba County Board of Commissioners requested a survey in June 2022.
Both counties received the official survey on Feb. 2, 2024, which confirmed the state-established line. The counties had one year to adopt that line; North Carolina law provides that it becomes conclusive following that time frame.
Upon receiving the survey, staff from both counties began the process of collaboratively planning service transitions to minimize citizen impacts related to the re-established boundary.
Last week, the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners began discussions regarding possible alternatives to the state law in response to citizen concerns. This included a proposed joint resolution between the two counties voicing support for the state to maintain the commonly recognized boundary.
But because neither county commission has the authority to pass legislation that would keep the commonly recognized boundary line intact, a joint resolution would not prevent the state-defined boundary from going into effect next month. As a result, Catawba County opted to stay the course and follow state law as had been previously agreed to by both counties.
Lincoln County officials say their commissioners were not prepared for the overall loss of citizens, and the impact that it will have on those individuals.
Lincoln County Chairman Jamie Lineberger issued the following statement:
We fought hard and we really tried to do what we could to help our citizens. We found past legislation through the assistance of Representative Heather Rhyne that supported our overall intent, and we found a path forward to resolve this issue. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a resolution with Catawba County to move forward on that path.
Jamie Lineberger
Residents can view the re-established line and learn more about how it affects their property by visiting the Catawba-Lincoln boundary line mapping tool. Residents with questions are encouraged to call the Catawba County boundary information line at 828-465-9608.
Additionally, Catawba and Lincoln counties are each hosting community open house events regarding services that may be affected by this change. The events are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Catawba
- Thursday, Jan. 30, 6-8 p.m.
- Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
- 9154 Sherrills Ford Road, Terrell
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6-8 p.m.
- Maiden High School Auditorium
- 600 W. Main St., Maiden
Lincoln
- Monday Jan. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- East Lincoln Community Center
- 8160 Optimist Club Rd, Denver, NC 28037
- Wednesday, Jan. 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- James W. Warren Citizens Center
- 115 W. Main St. , Lincolnton
