[2] Caldwell County is part of the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A series of reductions to the county's territory have taken place since its initial formation.

[3] Caldwell County is divided into three distinct geographic sections: the Blue Ridge Mountains, which dominate the northern and western parts of the county; the gently rolling Piedmont country in the middle and southern parts of the county; and the Brushy Mountains, an isolated remnant of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The "Brushies", as they are often called, run across much of Caldwell County's eastern section.

Hibriten Mountain, located within the city limits of Lenoir, the county's largest city, marks the western end of the Brushy Mountain range.

About 15.3% of families and 20.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.8% of single mothers and 13.2% of people age 65 or over.

[14] The members of the Board of Commissioners are Jeff Branch, Randy Church, Mike LaBrose, Donnie Potter, and Robbie Wilkie.

[18] Caldwell County is a member of the regional Western Piedmont Council of Governments.

[20][21] Caldwell County is part of North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives and is represented by Republican Virginia Foxx.

Since 2010, the average federal election vote in Caldwell County goes over 70% Republican.