Craven County decreased in size in 1722 when Carteret County was created; in 1729 when New Hanover County was created; in 1746 when Johnston County was created; in 1779 when Jones County was created; in 1872 when Pamlico County was created; and in 1885 when it gave more land to Carteret County.

Its population grew from 10,469 in 1790 to 103,505 in 2010.

Click on the maps below to peruse the known towns and villages that came and went over the past three and centuries - a few cannot be located since they do not show up on available maps of NC.