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Pamlico County, North Carolina facts for kids

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Pamlico County
Pamlico County Courthouse, Bayboro
Pamlico County Courthouse, Bayboro
Official seal of Pamlico County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Pamlico 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 1872
Named for Pamlico Indians
Seat Bayboro
Largest town Bayboro
Area
 • Total 567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Land 337 sq mi (870 km2)
 • Water 230 sq mi (600 km2)  41%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
12,344
 • Density 36.6/sq mi (14.1/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Pamlico County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 12,276. Its county seat is Bayboro.

Pamlico County is part of the New Bern, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1872 from parts of Beaufort and Craven counties. It was named for Pamlico Sound, which adjoins it. Vernacular usage in the area, especially in Craven County, refers to Pamlico County as being "down in the county." Prior to 1872, it was a part of Craven County and has a very low elevation. Most of the county, according to FRIS, North Carolina Flood Risk Information System, much of the county is subject to flooding in storm surges. After it was separated from Craven, the old nickname survives. Pamlico County remains rural in character and flavor, although the last decade has brought a good deal of residential development, largely the result of northern retirees and investors attracted to the many miles of waterfront property.

The county is anchored on the east by the Town of Oriental, a popular waystation for boaters traveling the Intracoastal Waterway, and by unincorporated Lowland. New Bern across the county line in Craven County to the west, is the primary trade area for Pamlico County. The unincorporated community of Olympia is in the western county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 567 square miles (1,470 km2), of which 337 square miles (870 km2) is land and 230 square miles (600 km2) (41%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 6,323
1890 7,146 13.0%
1900 8,045 12.6%
1910 9,966 23.9%
1920 9,060 −9.1%
1930 9,299 2.6%
1940 9,706 4.4%
1950 9,993 3.0%
1960 9,850 −1.4%
1970 9,467 −3.9%
1980 10,398 9.8%
1990 11,372 9.4%
2000 12,934 13.7%
2010 13,144 1.6%
2020 12,276 −6.6%
2021 (est.) 12,344 −6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

Census reports show a marked drop of nearly 10 percent in county population from 1910 to 1920, the period of the Great Migration of African Americans from rural areas of the South to northern and midwestern industrial cities offering more economic and social opportunities. Workers were recruited by northern industries, including the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was rapidly expanding at the time.

2020 census

Pamlico County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 9,104 74.16%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,055 16.74%
Native American 58 0.47%
Asian 50 0.41%
Pacific Islander 5 0.04%
Other/Mixed 508 4.14%
Hispanic or Latino 496 4.04%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,276 people, 5,416 households, and 3,589 families residing in the county.

Communities

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

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

  • Florence
  • Jenerio
  • Lowland
  • Maribel
  • Merritt
  • Olympia
  • Reelsboro
  • Whortonsville

Images for kids

See also

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

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