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Beaufort County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Beaufort County
Beaufort County Courthouse
Beaufort County Courthouse
Map of North Carolina highlighting Beaufort County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  North Carolina
Founded 1739
Named for Henry, Duke of Beaufort
Seat Washington
Largest city Washington
Area
 • Total 958 sq mi (2,480 km2)
 • Land 827 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water 131 sq mi (340 km2)  14%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
44,468
 • Density 53.8/sq mi (20.8/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Beaufort County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 44,652. 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.

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

Major highways

  • US 17
  • US 264
  • NC 32
  • NC 33
  • NC 45
  • NC 92
  • NC 99
  • NC 102
  • NC 171
  • NC 306

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 5,405
1800 6,242 15.5%
1810 7,203 15.4%
1820 9,850 36.7%
1830 10,969 11.4%
1840 12,225 11.5%
1850 13,816 13.0%
1860 14,766 6.9%
1870 13,011 −11.9%
1880 17,474 34.3%
1890 21,072 20.6%
1900 26,404 25.3%
1910 30,877 16.9%
1920 31,024 0.5%
1930 35,026 12.9%
1940 36,431 4.0%
1950 37,134 1.9%
1960 36,014 −3.0%
1970 35,980 −0.1%
1980 40,355 12.2%
1990 42,283 4.8%
2000 44,958 6.3%
2010 47,759 6.2%
2020 44,652 −6.5%
2021 (est.) 44,468 −6.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

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

2020 census

Beaufort County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 29,431 65.91%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,195 22.83%
Native American 90 0.2%
Asian 164 0.37%
Pacific Islander 16 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,323 2.96%
Hispanic or Latino 3,433 7.69%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 44,652 people, 19,701 households, and 12,638 families residing in the county.

Communities

City

Map of Beaufort County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels
Map of Beaufort County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Population ranking

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

county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 Washington City 9,744
2 River Road CDP 4,394
3 Belhaven Town 1,688
4 Chocowinity Town 820
5 Aurora Town 520
6 Washington Park Town 451
7 Bayview CDP 346
8 Bath Town 249
9 Pantego Town 179
10 Pinetown CDP 155

Education

Beaufort County Schools is the local public school system.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Beaufort (Carolina del Norte) para niños

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