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Hertford County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Hertford County
Postcard. Chowan College Administration Building, Murfreesboro, North Carolina.
Postcard. Chowan College Administration Building, Murfreesboro, North Carolina.
Map of North Carolina highlighting Hertford 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 1759
Named for Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford
Seat Winton
Largest town Ahoskie
Area
 • Total 360 sq mi (900 km2)
 • Land 353 sq mi (910 km2)
 • Water 7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  2.0%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
21,278
 • Density 60.3/sq mi (23.3/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st

Hertford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,552. Its county seat is Winton. It is classified within the region known in the 21st century as the Inner Banks.

History

Hertford County is home of the Meherrin Indian Tribe, descendants of indigenous people who had inhabited the region for many centuries. After decades of encroachment by English colonists, the Tribe moved south from Virginia, where they settled in 1706 on a reservation abandoned by the Chowanoke. This six-square-mile reservation was at Parker's Ferry near the mouth of the Meherrin River. It was confirmed by a treaty of 1726. However, they were not able to keep the reservation lands.

The Tribe today has approximately 900 enrolled members, most living within 10–15 miles of the former reservation. The tribe is recognized by the state and is seeking Federal recognition. The Meherrin have an annual Pow Wow at the end of October.

The county was formed in 1759 from parts of Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County. It was named for Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Earl of Hertford, later 1st Marquess of Hertford.

In 1779 the northeastern part of Hertford County was combined with parts of Chowan County and Perquimans County to form Gates County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 360 square miles (930 km2), of which 353 square miles (910 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (2.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • US 13
  • US 158
  • US 258
  • NC 11
  • NC 35
  • NC 42
  • NC 45
  • NC 305
  • NC 461
  • NC 561

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 5,949
1800 6,701 12.6%
1810 6,052 −9.7%
1820 7,712 27.4%
1830 8,537 10.7%
1840 7,484 −12.3%
1850 8,142 8.8%
1860 9,504 16.7%
1870 9,273 −2.4%
1880 11,843 27.7%
1890 13,851 17.0%
1900 14,294 3.2%
1910 15,436 8.0%
1920 16,294 5.6%
1930 17,542 7.7%
1940 19,352 10.3%
1950 21,453 10.9%
1960 22,718 5.9%
1970 23,529 3.6%
1980 23,368 −0.7%
1990 22,523 −3.6%
2000 22,601 0.3%
2010 24,669 9.2%
2020 21,552 −12.6%
2021 (est.) 21,278 −13.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

Hertford County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 6,721 31.19%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 12,215 56.68%
Native American 188 0.87%
Asian 113 0.52%
Pacific Islander 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed 733 3.4%
Hispanic or Latino 1,579 7.33%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 21,552 people, 8,845 households, and 5,419 families residing in the county.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 24,669 people, 8,953 households, and 6,240 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile (25/km2). There were 9,724 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.5% Black or African American, 35.6% White, 1.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,953 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 19.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,422, and the median income for a family was $32,002. Males had a median income of $26,730 versus $20,144 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,641. About 15.90% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 21.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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

Towns

Census-designated place

Townships

  • Ahoskie
  • Como
  • Harrellsville
  • Murfreesboro
  • St. John's
  • Winton

Economy

Several large employers are located in Hertford County, including a privately run federal prison, Chowan University, a Nucor steel mill, several Perdue poultry processing facilities, an aluminum extrusion facility in Winton, and a lumber-processing facility in Ahoskie. These industries, combined with a typical range of local retail, restaurant and service businesses, combine to give Hertford County one of the lowest unemployment rates in Northeastern North Carolina. The larger area has historically lagged behind the rest of the state in terms of economic development.

Education

Hertford County Public Schools has seven schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. These include three high schools (the main high school being Hertford County High School), one middle school, and three elementary schools.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Hertford para niños

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