The court's jurisdiction comprises the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Anson, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.

[2][3] In both instances, these districts, unlike those with geographic designations that existed in other states, were titled by the names of the cities in which the courts sat.

On June 4, 1872, North Carolina was re-divided into two Districts, Eastern and Western, by 17 Stat. 215.

[3] As of December 1, 2024[update]: Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to their district court.

The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first.