kids encyclopedia robot

Tyrrell County, North Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Tyrrell County
The Tyrrell County Courthouse in Columbia
The Tyrrell County Courthouse in Columbia
Official seal of Tyrrell County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Tyrrell 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 Sir John Tyrrell
Seat Columbia
Largest town Columbia
Area
 • Total 594 sq mi (1,540 km2)
 • Land 389 sq mi (1,010 km2)
 • Water 205 sq mi (530 km2)  35%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
3,254
 • Density 8.4/sq mi (3.2/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st

Tyrrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 3,245, making it the least populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Columbia. The county was created in 1729 as Tyrrell Precinct and gained county status in 1739. Tyrrell County is included in the Kill Devil Hills, NC, Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC Combined Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1729 as Tyrrell Precinct of Albemarle County, from parts of Bertie Precinct, Chowan Precinct, Currituck Precinct, and Pasquotank Precinct. It was named for Sir John Tyrrell, one of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina.

With the abolition of Albemarle County in 1739, all of its constituent precincts became counties. In 1774 the western part of Tyrrell County was combined with part of Halifax County to form Martin County. In 1799 the western third of what was left of Tyrrell County became Washington County. In 1870 the half of Tyrrell County east of the Alligator River was combined with parts of Currituck County and Hyde County to form Dare County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 594 square miles (1,540 km2), of which 389 square miles (1,010 km2) is land and 205 square miles (530 km2) (35%) is water.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

  • Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Major highways

  • US 64
  • NC 94

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 4,826
1800 3,395 −29.7%
1810 3,364 −0.9%
1820 4,319 28.4%
1830 4,732 9.6%
1840 4,657 −1.6%
1850 5,133 10.2%
1860 4,944 −3.7%
1870 4,173 −15.6%
1880 4,545 8.9%
1890 4,225 −7.0%
1900 4,980 17.9%
1910 5,219 4.8%
1920 4,849 −7.1%
1930 5,164 6.5%
1940 5,556 7.6%
1950 5,048 −9.1%
1960 4,520 −10.5%
1970 3,806 −15.8%
1980 3,975 4.4%
1990 3,856 −3.0%
2000 4,149 7.6%
2010 4,407 6.2%
2020 3,245 −26.4%
2021 (est.) 3,254 −26.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

Tyrrell County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 1,879 57.9%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 934 28.78%
Native American 5 0.15%
Asian 43 1.33%
Other/Mixed 112 3.45%
Hispanic or Latino 272 8.38%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,245 people, 1,594 households, and 1,035 families residing in the county.

Communities

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

Town

Unincorporated communities

Townships

  • Alligator
  • Columbia
  • Gum Neck
  • Scuppernong
  • South Fork

Economy

Tyrrell County, due to its close proximity to the Outer Banks, has been designated [1] as part of the IBX -Inner Banks.

The North Carolina State University (NCSU) Tyrrell County Extension Center provides the county residents easy access to the resources and expertise of NCSU and NC A&T State University.[2]

The community is serviced by the Inner Banks Hotline, a non-profit women's community shelter.

See also

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

kids search engine
Tyrrell County, North Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.