Discover Life in
Johnston County, NC
Where Community Meets Convenience
JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC
Formed in 1746 from Craven County, the county is named for Gabriel Johnston, royal governor of North Carolina from 1734 to 1752.
offers great connections to history, entertainment, dining, lodging, and outlet shopping, along with a generous helping of true southern hospitality. Located midway between New York and Florida on I-95 and at the cross-roads of I-95 and I-40, Johnston County connects the nation's North and South with East and West. Its location places it only a two-hour drive from Atlantic Coast Beaches and a four-hour drive from the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Small-Town Living with Big-City Access
Residents enjoy quiet, family-friendly communities like Clayton or Four Oaks, with easy commutes to Raleigh for work. Neighborhoods often feature spacious homes, large yards, and a slower pace of life.
Farm-to-Table and Outdoor Living
With deep agricultural roots, you’ll find local farmers markets, seasonal festivals (like Mule Days in Benson), and outdoor fun such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking along the Neuse River or at Clemmons Educational State Forest.
Arts, Culture, and History
Locals enjoy visiting the Ava Gardner Museum, catching live performances at the Johnston County Arts Council, or exploring Civil War history at Bentonville Battlefield. Community events and concerts are common year-round.
Local Breweries and Southern Cuisine
Johnston County boasts a growing craft beverage scene, including breweries like Deep River Brewing Co. and Fainting Goat Brewing Co., where locals gather for live music, food trucks, and community events.
Early Childhood Education
Johnston County Public Schools provide early childhood education programs, including pre-kindergarten classes that focus on developing foundational skills such as early literacy, numeracy, social interaction, and emotional regulation. These programs aim to prepare young children for success in elementary school by fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning through play-based activities and structured lessons.
Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
The district operates numerous elementary, middle, and high schools where students receive a well-rounded education. In elementary schools, children learn core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, often supported by programs in art, music, and physical education. Middle schools build on these skills while introducing students to more specialized subjects like foreign languages and technology. High schools offer a variety of courses, including electives in the arts, business, and technology, alongside advanced academic options. Students also have access to extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, theater, and academic clubs, helping develop leadership, teamwork, and social skills.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Johnston County offers Career and Technical Education programs that prepare students for specific careers by combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. For example, the Career and Technical Leadership Academy (CTLA) allows students to specialize in areas such as nursing, information technology, engineering, culinary arts, and automotive technology. These programs often lead to industry certifications or college credits, helping students enter the workforce or continue their education with valuable skills.
Dual Enrollment & Early College Programs
Students seeking an accelerated academic path can participate in dual enrollment and early college programs like the Johnston County Early College Academy. These programs partner with Johnston Community College to allow high school students to take college-level courses and graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. This approach reduces college costs and jumpstarts students’ higher education journeys.
Specialized Academies
The district has specialized academies that focus on particular career paths or interests. For instance, the IDEAL Academy emphasizes environmental science, agriculture, and leadership skills, preparing students for careers in natural resources and sustainability. Another example is the Fire Science certification program, which partners with local fire departments to train students interested in firefighting and emergency services, giving them practical experience and certifications.
Community & Career Partnerships
Johnston County schools actively collaborate with community organizations and local businesses to enhance educational opportunities. This includes language immersion programs for students learning multiple languages, arts initiatives that promote creativity, and STEM clubs where students engage in robotics, coding, and engineering projects. These partnerships provide students with real-world experiences, internships, and mentoring, helping prepare them for college and careers in a wide range of fields.
Early Childhood Education
Johnston County Public Schools provide early childhood education programs, including pre-kindergarten classes that focus on developing foundational skills such as early literacy, numeracy, social interaction, and emotional regulation. These programs aim to prepare young children for success in elementary school by fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning through play-based activities and structured lessons.
Elementary, Middle, and High Schools
The district operates numerous elementary, middle, and high schools where students receive a well-rounded education. In elementary schools, children learn core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, often supported by programs in art, music, and physical education. Middle schools build on these skills while introducing students to more specialized subjects like foreign languages and technology. High schools offer a variety of courses, including electives in the arts, business, and technology, alongside advanced academic options. Students also have access to extracurricular activities such as sports teams, band, theater, and academic clubs, helping develop leadership, teamwork, and social skills.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Johnston County offers Career and Technical Education programs that prepare students for specific careers by combining classroom learning with hands-on experience. For example, the Career and Technical Leadership Academy (CTLA) allows students to specialize in areas such as nursing, information technology, engineering, culinary arts, and automotive technology. These programs often lead to industry certifications or college credits, helping students enter the workforce or continue their education with valuable skills.
Dual Enrollment & Early College Programs
Students seeking an accelerated academic path can participate in dual enrollment and early college programs like the Johnston County Early College Academy. These programs partner with Johnston Community College to allow high school students to take college-level courses and graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. This approach reduces college costs and jumpstarts students’ higher education journeys.
Specialized Academies
The district has specialized academies that focus on particular career paths or interests. For instance, the IDEAL Academy emphasizes environmental science, agriculture, and leadership skills, preparing students for careers in natural resources and sustainability. Another example is the Fire Science certification program, which partners with local fire departments to train students interested in firefighting and emergency services, giving them practical experience and certifications.
Community & Career Partnerships
Johnston County schools actively collaborate with community organizations and local businesses to enhance educational opportunities. This includes language immersion programs for students learning multiple languages, arts initiatives that promote creativity, and STEM clubs where students engage in robotics, coding, and engineering projects. These partnerships provide students with real-world experiences, internships, and mentoring, helping prepare them for college and careers in a wide range of fields.
Private Education
LIFESPRING ACADEMY
Lifespring Academy is a Christ-centered Academy. Lifespring Academy, its administrators, teachers and staff all state that we have asked Jesus Christ into our hearts and we have a personal relationship with Him. We will not teach anything that is contrary to the Bible. We believe that Jesus is the son of God, that He died on the cross for our sins, and that He rose from the grave. At LifeSpring, we will encourage all students to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in the hopes of strengthening their spiritual walk. Regardless of religious affiliation, church membership or attendance, all families and students are welcome to experience the joy, hope, and love that Jesus has for us at Lifespring Academy.
Attractions & things to do
AVA GARDNER MUSEUM
The Ava Gardner Museum started with a kiss. More specifically, the large holdings of memorabilia and artifacts amassed over 40 years by Dr. Thomas and Lorraine Banks which form the bedrock of our collection all began with a kiss.
AVA GARDNER MUSEUM
The Ava Gardner Museum started with a kiss. More specifically, the large holdings of memorabilia and artifacts amassed over 40 years by Dr. Thomas and Lorraine Banks which form the bedrock of our collection all began with a kiss.
BENTONVILLE BATTLEFIELD
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, was the last full-scale action of the Civil War in which a Confederate army was able to mount a tactical offensive. This major battle, the largest ever fought in North Carolina, was the only significant attempt to defeat the large Union army of Gen. William T. Sherman during its march through the Carolinas in the spring of 1865.
BROADSLAB DISTILLERY LLC
Broad slab Distillery is North Carolina's 1st "farm" distillery since prohibition, and we take great pride in utilizing a true grassroots and hands on approach to operating our farm to bottle distillery. We are proud to be one of the few distilleries in the world to grow the very grains on our farm that are used to manufacture our very unique, grain-to-glass whiskeys.
MEADOW LIGHTS
The Meadow Lights is the largest and oldest Christmas light show in Eastern North Carolina. We are a Family owned and operated business that started more than 40 years ago. In 1994 we built "The Old Country Store" to sell drinks and old fashioned candy. Since we have become one of the largest candy stores in the state specializing in Christmas and old fashion candy, carrying over 300 varieties. We display lights on over 30 acres and operate a train ride through 10 plus acres.
CAROLINA PREMIUM OUTLETS
You'll find more of what you're looking for with over 80 stores, serving the communities of Johnston County, its surrounding counties from the Triangle to the Coast, as well as cities in South Carolina and Virginia. The Center features upscale outlet stores including adidas, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Carolina Pottery, Coach Outlet, Chico's, Crocs, J.Crew Factory, Michael Kors, NIKE Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Sunglass Hut, Talbots Outlet, Under Armour, and many more. Carolina Premium Outlets, an easy to navigate, outdoor shopping experience, has quick dining options including Barbecue Provision Co. Southern Smokehouse BBQ, Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels and Dairy Queen. We are conveniently located at exit 95 off I-95 in Smithfield, NC. The entire team at Carolina Premium Outlets welcomes you and we look forward to seeing you during your next shopping experience.
CAROLINA PREMIUM OUTLETS
You'll find more of what you're looking for with over 80 stores, serving the communities of Johnston County, its surrounding counties from the Triangle to the Coast, as well as cities in South Carolina and Virginia. The Center features upscale outlet stores including adidas, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Carolina Pottery, Coach Outlet, Chico's, Crocs, J.Crew Factory, Michael Kors, NIKE Factory Store, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Sunglass Hut, Talbots Outlet, Under Armour, and many more. Carolina Premium Outlets, an easy to navigate, outdoor shopping experience, has quick dining options including Barbecue Provision Co. Southern Smokehouse BBQ, Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels and Dairy Queen. We are conveniently located at exit 95 off I-95 in Smithfield, NC. The entire team at Carolina Premium Outlets welcomes you and we look forward to seeing you during your next shopping experience.
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