Hertford County, North Carolina

Hertford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,552.[1] Its county seat is Winton.[2] It is classified within the region known in the 21st century as the Inner Banks.

"Hertford County" redirects here. For the county in England, see Hertfordshire.
Not to be confused with Hertford, North Carolina.

Hertford County
County
Chowan College Administration Building in Murfreesboro
Chowan College Administration Building in Murfreesboro
Flag of Hertford County
Flag
Official seal of Hertford County
Seal
Map of North Carolina highlighting Hertford 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: 36°22′N 76°59′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1759
Named forFrancis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford
SeatWinton
Largest communityAhoskie
Area
 • Total360.40 sq mi (933.4 km2)
 • Land353.16 sq mi (914.7 km2)
 • Water7.24 sq mi (18.8 km2)  2.01%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total21,552
 • Estimate 
(2022)
20,875
 • Density61.03/sq mi (23.56/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.hertfordcountync.gov

History

Hertford County is home of the Meherrin Indian Tribe, descendants of indigenous people who had inhabited the region for many centuries. After decades of encroachment by English colonists, the Tribe moved south from Virginia, where they settled in 1706 on a reservation abandoned by the Chowanoke. This six-square-mile reservation was at Parker's Ferry near the mouth of the Meherrin River. It was confirmed by a treaty of 1726.[3] However, they were not able to keep the reservation lands.

The Tribe today has approximately 900 enrolled members, most living within 10–15 miles of the former reservation.[3] The tribe is recognized by the state and is seeking Federal recognition. The Meherrin have an annual Pow Wow at the end of October.

The county was formed in 1759 from parts of Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County. It was named for Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Earl of Hertford, later 1st Marquess of Hertford.[4]

In 1779 the northeastern part of Hertford County was combined with parts of Chowan County and Perquimans County to form Gates County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 360.40 square miles (933.4 km2), of which 353.16 square miles (914.7 km2) is land and 7.24 square miles (18.8 km2) (2.01%) is water.[5]

State and local protected area
  • Chowan Swamp Game Land (part)[6]

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17905,949—
18006,70112.6%
18106,052−9.7%
18207,71227.4%
18308,53710.7%
18407,484−12.3%
18508,1428.8%
18609,50416.7%
18709,273−2.4%
188011,84327.7%
189013,85117.0%
190014,2943.2%
191015,4368.0%
192016,2945.6%
193017,5427.7%
194019,35210.3%
195021,45310.9%
196022,7185.9%
197023,5293.6%
198023,368−0.7%
199022,523−3.6%
200022,6010.3%
201024,6699.2%
202021,552−12.6%
2022 (est.)20,875[1]−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1]

2020 census
Hertford County racial composition[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 6,721 31.19%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 12,215 56.68%
Native American 188 0.87%
Asian 113 0.52%
Pacific Islander 3 0.01%
Other/Mixed 733 3.4%
Hispanic or Latino 1,579 7.33%

As of the 2020 census, there were 21,552 people, 8,845 households, and 5,419 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census,[13] there were 24,669 people, 8,953 households, and 6,240 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 people per square mile (25 people/km2). There were 9,724 housing units at an average density of 28 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.5% Black or African American, 35.6% White, 1.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,953 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% were married couples living together, 19.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 85.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,422, and the median income for a family was $32,002. Males had a median income of $26,730 versus $20,144 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,641. About 15.90% of families and 18.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.30% of those under age 18 and 21.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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

As of October 2022, 66 percent of registered voters in Hertford County are Democrats—the highest Democratic registration rate statewide—while Republicans have their lowest county registration rate.[14]

Rivers Correctional Institution, a private prison operated by the GEO Group which operates under contract from the Federal Bureau of Prisons and houses many felons who committed crimes in Washington, DC, is 1 mile (1.6 km) from Winton.[15]

United States presidential election results for Hertford County, North Carolina[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,479 32.72% 7,097 66.74% 58 0.55%
2016 3,099 30.42% 6,910 67.84% 177 1.74%
2012 3,007 27.54% 7,843 71.84% 68 0.62%
2008 3,089 29.00% 7,513 70.54% 48 0.45%
2004 2,942 36.18% 5,141 63.22% 49 0.60%
2000 2,382 30.16% 5,484 69.44% 31 0.39%
1996 1,823 25.86% 4,856 68.89% 370 5.25%
1992 2,208 28.78% 4,609 60.08% 855 11.14%
1988 2,977 37.54% 4,943 62.33% 10 0.13%
1984 3,176 41.27% 4,498 58.45% 21 0.27%
1980 1,854 30.59% 4,102 67.69% 104 1.72%
1976 1,517 27.53% 3,986 72.34% 7 0.13%
1972 2,794 58.34% 1,928 40.26% 67 1.40%
1968 1,125 17.04% 3,275 49.60% 2,203 33.36%
1964 994 20.09% 3,953 79.91% 0 0.00%
1960 781 20.10% 3,105 79.90% 0 0.00%
1956 729 21.21% 2,708 78.79% 0 0.00%
1952 579 16.84% 2,859 83.16% 0 0.00%
1948 196 8.04% 2,165 88.80% 77 3.16%
1944 125 5.89% 1,996 94.11% 0 0.00%
1940 92 3.60% 2,464 96.40% 0 0.00%
1936 84 3.48% 2,327 96.52% 0 0.00%
1932 88 4.56% 1,835 95.08% 7 0.36%
1928 393 27.62% 1,030 72.38% 0 0.00%
1924 164 14.92% 932 84.80% 3 0.27%
1920 221 16.68% 1,104 83.32% 0 0.00%
1916 209 17.61% 977 82.31% 1 0.08%
1912 61 6.72% 742 81.72% 105 11.56%

Economy

Several large employers are located in Hertford County, including a privately run federal prison, Chowan University, a Nucor steel mill, several Perdue poultry processing facilities, an aluminum extrusion facility in Winton, and a lumber-processing facility in Ahoskie. These industries, combined with a typical range of local retail, restaurant and service businesses, combine to give Hertford County one of the lowest unemployment rates in Northeastern North Carolina. The larger area has historically lagged behind the rest of the state in terms of economic development.

Education

Hertford County Public Schools has seven schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. These include three high schools (the main high school being Hertford County High School), one middle school, and three elementary schools.[17] The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction rated the county school system as "low-performing" for the 2021–2022 school year.[18]

Media

Hertford County is served by the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald newspaper. There are five radio stations in Hertford County: WDLZ FM 98.3, an Adult Contemporary radio station and WWDR AM 1080, an Adult Urban Contemporary radio station, are located in Murfreesboro. WQDK FM 99.3, a Country Music radio station and WRCS AM 970, an Urban Gospel radio station, are located in Ahoskie. WBKU FM 91.7, a non-commercial, Contemporary Christian Music radio station which also broadcasts programming from the American Family Radio network, is located in Ahoskie.

Communities
Map of Hertford County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Census-designated place

Townships
  • Ahoskie
  • Harrellsville
  • Maneys Neck
  • Murfreesboro
  • St. John's
  • Winton

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hertford County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Brenda Linton and Leslie S. Stewart, Economic Development Assessment for the Meherrin Tribe, University of North Carolina, Jul 2003, accessed 26 Oct 2009
  4. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 155.
  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 17, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 17, 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 17, 2015.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 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. Gong, Phillip Joonbae (October 26, 2022). "Who are North Carolina's Registered Democrats? A 2022 update". Carolina Demography. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  15. Pierre, Robert E. "N.C. Prison Doesn't Serve D.C. Inmates Well, Critics Say." Washington Post. October 14, 2007. p. 1" (Archive). Retrieved on February 5, 2016.
  16. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  17. "Hertford County Schools". North Carolina's School Report Cards. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  18. Taylor, Holly (September 13, 2022). "Local "report cards" show mixed results". The Roanoke-Chowan Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
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