Washington County, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington County
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Washington County Courthouse
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| Nickname(s):
Bear-Olina
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| Motto(s):
"Where traffic ends and adventure begins."
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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 | 1799 | ||
| Named for | George Washington | ||
| Seat | Plymouth | ||
| Largest community | Plymouth | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 421.91 sq mi (1,092.7 km2) | ||
| • Land | 346.51 sq mi (897.5 km2) | ||
| • Water | 75.40 sq mi (195.3 km2) 17.87% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,003 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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10,713 | ||
| • Density | 31.75/sq mi (12.26/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| Congressional district | 1st | ||
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,003. Its county seat is Plymouth. The county was formed in 1799 from the western third of Tyrrell County. It was named for George Washington.
Contents
History
There are three incorporated towns in Washington County; Plymouth is the county seat, while other towns are Roper and Creswell. Washington County is known for rich farmland, extensive forests and abundant public access waters. The Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound form the northern boundary. Lake Phelps is 16,000 acres and is part of Pettigrew State Park in Creswell. Somerset Place is a restored antebellum plantation and NC Historic Site on Lake Phelps.
The Pungo Unit of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in the southern part of the county is said to have the best public black bear viewing in North Carolina. This part of the state is known for having the world's largest black bears and highest black bear densities The award-winning NC Black Bear Festival takes place in Plymouth on the first weekend in June.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 421.91 square miles (1,092.7 km2), of which 346.51 square miles (897.5 km2) is land and 75.40 square miles (195.3 km2) (17.87%) is water. The county borders the Albemarle Sound.
National protected area
- Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (part)
State and local protected areas/sites
- Bachelor Bay Game Land (part)
- Lantern Acres Game Land (part)
- Latham House
- Pettigrew State Park (part)
- Somerset Place
- Van Swamp Game Lands (part)
Major water bodies
Adjacent counties
- Chowan County – north
- Perquimans County – northeast
- Tyrrell County – east
- Hyde County – southeast
- Beaufort County – southwest
- Martin County – west
- Bertie County – northwest
Major highways
US 64
NC 32
NC 37
NC 45
NC 94
NC 99
NC 149
NC 308
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 2,422 | — | |
| 1810 | 3,464 | 43.0% | |
| 1820 | 3,986 | 15.1% | |
| 1830 | 4,552 | 14.2% | |
| 1840 | 4,525 | −0.6% | |
| 1850 | 5,664 | 25.2% | |
| 1860 | 6,357 | 12.2% | |
| 1870 | 6,516 | 2.5% | |
| 1880 | 8,928 | 37.0% | |
| 1890 | 10,200 | 14.2% | |
| 1900 | 10,608 | 4.0% | |
| 1910 | 11,062 | 4.3% | |
| 1920 | 11,429 | 3.3% | |
| 1930 | 11,603 | 1.5% | |
| 1940 | 12,323 | 6.2% | |
| 1950 | 13,180 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 13,488 | 2.3% | |
| 1970 | 14,038 | 4.1% | |
| 1980 | 14,801 | 5.4% | |
| 1990 | 13,997 | −5.4% | |
| 2000 | 13,723 | −2.0% | |
| 2010 | 13,228 | −3.6% | |
| 2020 | 11,003 | −16.8% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 10,713 | −19.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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2010/2020 censuses
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White alone (NH) | 5,998 | 4,958 | 45.34% | 45.06% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,567 | 5,350 | 49.64% | 48.62% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 21 | 15 | 0.16% | 0.14% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 38 | 37 | 0.29% | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 3 | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 14 | 36 | 0.11% | 0.33% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 123 | 233 | 0.93% | 2.12% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 466 | 371 | 3.52% | 3.37% |
| Total | 13,228 | 11,003 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 6,084 | 4,999 | 45.99% | 45.43% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 6,587 | 5,375 | 49.80% | 48.85% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 24 | 23 | 0.18% | 0.21% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 38 | 37 | 0.29% | 0.34% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 1 | 9 | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 340 | 223 | 2.57% | 2.03% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 154 | 337 | 1.16% | 3.06% |
| Total | 13,228 | 11,003 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 11,003 people, 4,977 households, and 2,655 families residing in the county.
Education
Washington County School District contains all public schools. The district contains a high school, a five-year early college, a middle school, and two elementary schools.
- Washington County High School
- Washington County Early College High School
- Washington County Middle School
- Creswell Elementary School
- Pines Elementary School
Pocosin Innovative Charter School is a charter school separate from the district.
Communities
Towns
Townships
- Plymouth
- Lees Mill
- Scuppernong
- Skinnersville
Unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Washington (Carolina del Norte) para niños
