Martin County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martin County
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Old Martin County Courthouse in Williamston
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Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
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 North Carolina's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  North Carolina |
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| Founded | March 14, 1774 | ||
| Named for | Josiah Martin | ||
| Seat | Williamston | ||
| Largest community | Williamston | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 456.70 sq mi (1,182.8 km2) | ||
| • Land | 456.41 sq mi (1,182.1 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.29 sq mi (0.8 km2) 0.06% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,031 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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21,447 | ||
| • Density | 48.27/sq mi (18.64/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 1st | ||
Martin County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,031. Its county seat is Williamston.
Contents
History
The county was formed in 1774 from the southeastern part of Halifax County and the western part of Tyrrell County. It was named for Josiah Martin, the last royal governor of North Carolina (1771–75). Whereas Dobbs County and Tryon County, named for Martin's predecessors Arthur Dobbs and William Tryon, were abolished after American independence, Martin County was neither abolished nor renamed.
The Martin County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 456.70 square miles (1,182.8 km2), of which 456.41 square miles (1,182.1 km2) is land and 0.29 square miles (0.75 km2) (0.06%) is water.
State and local protected areas/sites
- Fort Branch Civil War Site
- Lower Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (part)
Major water bodies
- Conoho Creek
- Etheridge Creek
- Gardiners Creek
- Hardison Mill Creek
- Long Creek
- Roanoke River
- Smithwick Creek
- Tranters Creek
- Welch Creek
Adjacent counties
- Bertie County – northeast
- Washington County – east
- Beaufort County – southeast
- Pitt County – southwest
- Edgecombe County – west
- Halifax County – northwest
Major highways
Future I-87
US 13
US 17
US 64
US 64 Alt.
US 64 Bus.
NC 11
NC 42
NC 111
NC 125
NC 142
NC 171
NC 903
Major infrastructure
- Martin County Airport
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 6,010 | — | |
| 1800 | 5,629 | −6.3% | |
| 1810 | 5,987 | 6.4% | |
| 1820 | 6,320 | 5.6% | |
| 1830 | 8,539 | 35.1% | |
| 1840 | 7,637 | −10.6% | |
| 1850 | 8,307 | 8.8% | |
| 1860 | 10,195 | 22.7% | |
| 1870 | 9,647 | −5.4% | |
| 1880 | 13,140 | 36.2% | |
| 1890 | 15,221 | 15.8% | |
| 1900 | 15,383 | 1.1% | |
| 1910 | 17,797 | 15.7% | |
| 1920 | 20,828 | 17.0% | |
| 1930 | 23,400 | 12.3% | |
| 1940 | 26,111 | 11.6% | |
| 1950 | 27,938 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 27,139 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 24,730 | −8.9% | |
| 1980 | 25,948 | 4.9% | |
| 1990 | 25,078 | −3.4% | |
| 2000 | 25,593 | 2.1% | |
| 2010 | 24,505 | −4.3% | |
| 2020 | 22,031 | −10.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 21,447 | −12.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 11,528 | 52.33% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 8,868 | 40.25% |
| Native American | 69 | 0.31% |
| Asian | 98 | 0.44% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.0% |
| Other/Mixed | 572 | 2.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 895 | 4.06% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 22,031 people, 9,378 households, and 6,195 families residing in the county.
Education
The primary and secondary public school functions are performed by Martin County Schools, a district covering the entire county. Martin Community College is located in Williamston.
Communities
Towns
- Bear Grass
- Everetts
- Hamilton
- Hassell
- Jamesville
- Oak City
- Parmele
- Robersonville
- Williamston (county seat and largest community)
Townships
- Bear Grass
- Cross Roads
- Goose Nest
- Griffins
- Hamilton
- Jamesville
- Poplar Point
- Robersonville
- Williams
- Williamston
Notable people
- Annie Moore Cherry, professor, author, and playwright
- Wilber Hardee, founder of Hardee's
- William Drew Robeson I, minister of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Martin (Carolina del Norte) para niños
