Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Beaufort County, North Carolina

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Largest city
  
Washington

Time zone
  
Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Founded
  
1712

Population
  
47,464 (2013)

Congressional districts
  
1st, 3rd

Website
  
www.co.beaufort.nc.us

Area
  
2,481 km²

County seat
  
Washington

Beaufort County, North Carolina wwwcrwflagscomfotwimagesuusncbfjpg

Named for
  
Henry Somerset, 2nd Duke of Beaufort

Cities
  
Washington, Belhaven, Chocowinity, Bath, Pantego

University
  
Beaufort County Community College

Beaufort County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 47,759. Its county seat is Washington. The county was founded in 1705 as Pamptecough Precinct. Originally included in Bath County, it was renamed Beaufort Precinct in 1712 and became Beaufort County in 1739.

Contents

Map of Beaufort County, NC, USA

Beaufort County comprises the Washington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greenville-Washington, NC Combined Statistical Area.

History

Beaufort County was first called Pamptecough. The name was changed about 1712 to Beaufort, named for Henry Somerset-Scudamore, 3rd Duke of Beaufort, who became one of Carolina's Lords Proprietor around 1709.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 958 square miles (2,480 km2), of which 827 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 131 square miles (340 km2) (14%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county in North Carolina by total area.

Adjacent counties

  • Washington County (northeast)
  • Hyde County (east)
  • Pamlico County (southeast)
  • Craven County (southwest)
  • Pitt County (west)
  • Martin County (northwest)
  • Demographics

    As of the census of 2000, there were 44,958 people, 18,319 households, and 12,951 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 22,139 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.44% White, 29.03% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

    There were 18,319 households out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.60% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.89.

    In the county, the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 91.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.

    The median income for a household in the county was $31,066, and the median income for a family was $37,893. Males had a median income of $30,483 versus $21,339 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,722. About 15.20% of families and 19.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 19.30% of those age 65 or over.

    As of 2010 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Beaufort County, North Carolina were:

  • English - 14.4%
  • "American" - 11.9%
  • German - 6.6%
  • Irish - 6.0%
  • Scottish - 2.5%
  • French - 1.6%
  • Italian - 1.5%
  • Law and government

    Beaufort County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.

    Beaufort County is one of the proposed sites for a Navy outlying landing field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier. Construction, which has not yet begun, is controversial due to its potential ecological impact.

    City

  • Washington (county seat)
  • Towns

  • Aurora
  • Bath
  • Belhaven
  • Chocowinity
  • Pantego
  • Washington Park
  • Census-designated places

  • Bayview
  • Pinetown
  • River Road
  • Other unincorporated communities

  • Blounts Creek
  • Edward
  • Royal
  • Population ranking

    The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Beaufort County.

    county seat

    References

    Beaufort County, North Carolina Wikipedia