Duplin County, NC joins Pender (along its northern edge) near Kenansville Metropolitan centre and its 2020 census population estimate stood at 59,714 making it the 43rd most populous county situated hereabouts. Its county seat is Kenansville but other cities include Beulaville & Burgaw equating to Duplin’s biggest town aside from noted country seat. This area had been created out of New Hanover and Sampson Counties back in 1750 when local citizens petitioned for new administrative boundaries- posthumously named after Earl Of Duplin whose successful career within British government continued late 16th century onwards.