Martin County, North Carolina

Martin County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,031.[1] Its county seat is Williamston.[2]

Martin County
County
Old Martin County Courthouse in Williamston
Old Martin County Courthouse in Williamston
Official seal of Martin County
Seal
Official logo of Martin County
Logo
Map of North Carolina highlighting Martin 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.
Coordinates: 35°50′N 77°06′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
FoundedMarch 14, 1774
Named forJosiah Martin
SeatWilliamston
Largest communityWilliamston
Area
 • Total456.70 sq mi (1,182.8 km2)
 • Land456.41 sq mi (1,182.1 km2)
 • Water0.29 sq mi (0.8 km2)  0.06%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total22,031
 • Estimate 
(2022)
21,508
 • Density48.27/sq mi (18.64/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.martincountyncgov.com

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).[3] 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, a fact which has been attributed to the popularity of Alexander Martin, twice governor of the state (1782–84, 1789–92).

The Martin County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[4]

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.[5]

State and local protected areas/sites
  • Fort Branch Confederate Earthen Fort Civil War Site
  • Foxtale Hunting Preserve
  • Lower Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (part)[6]
  • Jamesville Wildlife Preserve

Major water bodies
  • Conoho Creek
  • Etheridge Creek
  • Gardiners Creek
  • Hardison Mill Creek
  • Long Creek
  • Roanoke River
  • Smithwick Creek
  • Tranters Creek
  • Welch Creek

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17906,010—
18005,629−6.3%
18105,9876.4%
18206,3205.6%
18308,53935.1%
18407,637−10.6%
18508,3078.8%
186010,19522.7%
18709,647−5.4%
188013,14036.2%
189015,22115.8%
190015,3831.1%
191017,79715.7%
192020,82817.0%
193023,40012.3%
194026,11111.6%
195027,9387.0%
196027,139−2.9%
197024,730−8.9%
198025,9484.9%
199025,078−3.4%
200025,5932.1%
201024,505−4.3%
202022,031−10.1%
2022 (est.)21,508[1]−2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1]

2020 census
Martin County racial composition[12]
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.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[13] there were 25,593 people, 10,020 households, and 7,194 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22 people/km2). There were 10,930 housing units at an average density of 24 units per square mile (9.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 52.54% White, 45.37% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,020 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 17.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,793, and the median income for a family was $35,428. Males had a median income of $29,818 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,102. About 16.30% of families and 20.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.50% of those under age 18 and 25.70% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Martin County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.

Politics

Martin County is a historically Democratic county; in 2004, it voted Republican for only the fourth time, the first three having been in the Republican landslides of 1872, 1972, and 1984. Barack Obama won the county back for the Democratic Party in both 2008 and 2012, but in 2016, it narrowly backed Donald Trump. In 2020, it narrowly supported Trump again, voting for a losing Republican nominee for the first time ever.[14] On the same day, Martin County voted to reelect Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in the North Carolina gubernatorial election.

United States presidential election results for Martin County, North Carolina[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,532 52.09% 5,911 47.14% 97 0.77%
2016 5,897 49.29% 5,846 48.86% 221 1.85%
2012 5,995 47.38% 6,583 52.03% 74 0.58%
2008 5,957 47.50% 6,539 52.14% 45 0.36%
2004 5,334 51.03% 5,102 48.81% 16 0.15%
2000 4,420 47.19% 4,929 52.63% 17 0.18%
1996 3,590 41.98% 4,500 52.62% 462 5.40%
1992 2,958 36.90% 4,069 50.76% 989 12.34%
1988 3,149 46.61% 3,598 53.26% 9 0.13%
1984 4,266 52.32% 3,870 47.47% 17 0.21%
1980 2,564 34.59% 4,750 64.09% 98 1.32%
1976 1,931 29.81% 4,518 69.75% 28 0.43%
1972 4,188 68.76% 1,840 30.21% 63 1.03%
1968 1,221 14.97% 3,118 38.22% 3,818 46.81%
1964 1,511 23.86% 4,821 76.14% 0 0.00%
1960 737 11.23% 5,826 88.77% 0 0.00%
1956 449 7.27% 5,730 92.73% 0 0.00%
1952 415 7.02% 5,493 92.98% 0 0.00%
1948 163 3.36% 4,636 95.53% 54 1.11%
1944 133 2.93% 4,408 97.07% 0 0.00%
1940 106 2.24% 4,628 97.76% 0 0.00%
1936 111 2.42% 4,477 97.58% 0 0.00%
1932 94 2.42% 3,781 97.37% 8 0.21%
1928 411 12.73% 2,818 87.27% 0 0.00%
1924 216 9.71% 1,999 89.88% 9 0.40%
1920 530 17.15% 2,561 82.85% 0 0.00%
1916 281 16.03% 1,472 83.97% 0 0.00%
1912 229 15.13% 1,251 82.63% 34 2.25%

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
Map of Martin County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Townships
  • Bear Grass
  • Cross Roads
  • Goose Nest
  • Griffins
  • Hamilton
  • Jamesville
  • Poplar Point
  • Robersonville
  • Williams
  • Williamston

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Martin County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 201.
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  5. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  6. "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "County winners, 1836-2016". Google Docs. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
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