Washington County, North Carolina
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,003.[1] Its county seat is Plymouth.[2] The county was formed in 1799 from the western third of Tyrrell County. It was named for George Washington.
Washington County | |
|---|---|
Seal Logo | |
| Nickname: Bear-Olina | |
| Motto(s): "Where traffic ends and adventure begins." | |
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina | |
North Carolina's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 35°50′41″N 76°34′20″W / 35.844713°N 76.572291°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Founded | 1799 |
| Named for | George Washington |
| Seat | Plymouth |
| Largest community | Plymouth |
| Area | |
| • Total | 421.91 sq mi (1,092.7 km2) |
| • Land | 346.51 sq mi (897.5 km2) |
| • Water | 75.40 sq mi (195.3 km2) 17.87% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 11,003 |
| • Estimate (2022) | 10,828 |
| • Density | 31.75/sq mi (12.26/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
History edit
There are three incorporated towns in Washington County; Plymouth is the county seat, while other towns are Roper and Creswell. Washington County is known for rich farmland, extensive forests and abundant public access waters.[3] The Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound form the northern boundary. Lake Phelps is 16,000 acres and is part of Pettigrew State Park in Creswell. Somerset Place is a restored antebellum plantation and NC Historic Site on Lake Phelps.[4]
The Pungo Unit of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in the southern part of the county is said to have the best public black bear viewing in North Carolina. This part of the state is known for having the world's largest black bears and highest black bear densities[5] The award-winning NC Black Bear Festival takes place in Plymouth on the first weekend in June.
Geography edit
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 421.91 square miles (1,092.7 km2), of which 346.51 square miles (897.5 km2) is land and 75.40 square miles (195.3 km2) (17.87%) is water.[6] The county borders the Albemarle Sound.
National protected area edit
State and local protected areas/sites edit
- Bachelor Bay Game Land (part)[7]
- Lantern Acres Game Land (part)[7]
- Latham House
- Pettigrew State Park (part)
- Somerset Place
- Van Swamp Game Lands (part)[7]
Major water bodies edit
Adjacent counties edit
- Chowan County – north
- Perquimans County – northeast
- Tyrrell County – east
- Hyde County – southeast
- Beaufort County – southwest
- Martin County – west
- Bertie County – northwest
Major highways edit
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 2,422 | — | |
| 1810 | 3,464 | 43.0% | |
| 1820 | 3,986 | 15.1% | |
| 1830 | 4,552 | 14.2% | |
| 1840 | 4,525 | −0.6% | |
| 1850 | 5,664 | 25.2% | |
| 1860 | 6,357 | 12.2% | |
| 1870 | 6,516 | 2.5% | |
| 1880 | 8,928 | 37.0% | |
| 1890 | 10,200 | 14.2% | |
| 1900 | 10,608 | 4.0% | |
| 1910 | 11,062 | 4.3% | |
| 1920 | 11,429 | 3.3% | |
| 1930 | 11,603 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 12,323 | 6.2% | |
| 1950 | 13,180 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 13,488 | 2.3% | |
| 1970 | 14,038 | 4.1% | |
| 1980 | 14,801 | 5.4% | |
| 1990 | 13,997 | −5.4% | |
| 2000 | 13,723 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 13,228 | −3.6% | |
| 2020 | 11,003 | −16.8% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 10,828 | [1] | −1.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[1] | |||
2010/2020 census edit
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010[13] | Pop 2020[14] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 5,998 | 4,958 | 45.34% | 45.06% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,567 | 5,350 | 49.64% | 48.62% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 21 | 15 | 0.16% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 38 | 37 | 0.29% | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 3 | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 14 | 36 | 0.11% | 0.33% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 123 | 233 | 0.93% | 2.12% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 466 | 371 | 3.52% | 3.37% |
| Total | 13,228 | 11,003 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Race | Pop 2010[15] | Pop 2020[16] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 6,084 | 4,999 | 45.99% | 45.43% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,587 | 5,375 | 49.80% | 48.85% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 24 | 23 | 0.18% | 0.21% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 38 | 37 | 0.29% | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 9 | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 340 | 223 | 2.57% | 2.03% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 154 | 337 | 1.16% | 3.06% |
| Total | 13,228 | 11,003 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 11,003 people, 4,977 households, and 2,655 families residing in the county.
2000 census edit
At the 2000 census,[17] there were 13,723 people, 5,367 households, and 3,907 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 6,174 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 48.28% White, 48.94% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 2.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,367 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.10% were married couples living together, 18.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,865, and the median income for a family was $34,888. Males had a median income of $27,058 versus $19,477 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,994. About 17.60% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics edit
Washington County is a member of the Albemarle Commission regional council of governments.
Washington County was one of the proposed sites for a Navy outlying landing field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier. Plans for construction have been scrapped due to public backlash and potential ecological impact.[18]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 2,781 | 44.82% | 3,396 | 54.73% | 28 | 0.45% |
| 2016 | 2,564 | 41.59% | 3,510 | 56.93% | 91 | 1.48% |
| 2012 | 2,622 | 40.34% | 3,833 | 58.98% | 44 | 0.68% |
| 2008 | 2,670 | 41.37% | 3,748 | 58.07% | 36 | 0.56% |
| 2004 | 2,484 | 45.40% | 2,969 | 54.27% | 18 | 0.33% |
| 2000 | 2,169 | 44.36% | 2,704 | 55.30% | 17 | 0.35% |
| 1996 | 1,562 | 34.47% | 2,790 | 61.56% | 180 | 3.97% |
| 1992 | 1,780 | 33.89% | 2,902 | 55.24% | 571 | 10.87% |
| 1988 | 2,186 | 43.69% | 2,806 | 56.08% | 12 | 0.24% |
| 1984 | 2,731 | 46.67% | 3,114 | 53.21% | 7 | 0.12% |
| 1980 | 1,943 | 38.57% | 3,008 | 59.72% | 86 | 1.71% |
| 1976 | 1,486 | 34.07% | 2,840 | 65.12% | 35 | 0.80% |
| 1972 | 2,559 | 61.65% | 1,546 | 37.24% | 46 | 1.11% |
| 1968 | 1,016 | 21.26% | 1,898 | 39.71% | 1,866 | 39.04% |
| 1964 | 1,144 | 31.35% | 2,505 | 68.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,027 | 29.84% | 2,415 | 70.16% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,033 | 34.66% | 1,947 | 65.34% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 774 | 28.17% | 1,974 | 71.83% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 333 | 16.19% | 1,675 | 81.43% | 49 | 2.38% |
| 1944 | 497 | 21.81% | 1,782 | 78.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 362 | 17.35% | 1,724 | 82.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 535 | 22.20% | 1,875 | 77.80% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 619 | 26.77% | 1,681 | 72.71% | 12 | 0.52% |
| 1928 | 1,183 | 56.85% | 898 | 43.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 834 | 48.40% | 883 | 51.25% | 6 | 0.35% |
| 1920 | 971 | 46.53% | 1,116 | 53.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 486 | 42.74% | 651 | 57.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 384 | 37.07% | 503 | 48.55% | 149 | 14.38% |
Education edit
Washington County School District contains all public schools. The district contains a high school, a five-year early college, a middle school, and two elementary schools.[20]
- Washington County High School
- Washington County Early College High School
- Washington County Middle School
- Creswell Elementary School
- Pines Elementary School
Pocosin Innovative Charter School is a charter school separate from the district.[21]
Communities edit
Towns edit
Townships edit
- Plymouth
- Lees Mill
- Scuppernong
- Skinnersville
Unincorporated communities edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Quiet Washington County rich in coastal NC history". Coastal Review. April 25, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ "Somerset Place | NC Historic Sites". historicsites.nc.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Donna Campbell (April 12, 2020). "Bear Watching at Pungo National Wildlife Refuge". The Grey Area News. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P1 RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P1 RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ WRAL (November 16, 2007). "WRAL Archive: Navy Landing Field Controversy". WRAL.com. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
- ^ "Washington Co. SD".
- ^ "HOME". Pocosin Innovative. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
External links edit
- Geographic data related to Washington County, North Carolina at OpenStreetMap
- Official website
- NCGenWeb Washington County, genealogy resources for the county