The county was formed in 1746 from Craven County...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.
Modern Day Adjacent Counties
Johnston County is bordered by Wake to the northwest, Franklin the north, Nash on the northeast, Wilson the east, Wayne in the southwest, Sampson to the south and Harnett on the southwest.
