Washington County, North Carolina

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,003.[1] Its county seat is Plymouth.[2] The county was formed in 1799 from the western third of Tyrrell County. It was named for George Washington.

Not to be confused with Washington, North Carolina or Washington District, North Carolina.

Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Official seal of Washington County
Seal
Official logo of Washington County
Logo
Nickname: 
Bear-Olina
Motto(s): 
"Where traffic ends and adventure begins."
Map of North Carolina highlighting Washington 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 76°34′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1799
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatPlymouth
Largest communityPlymouth
Area
 • Total421.91 sq mi (1,092.7 km2)
 • Land346.51 sq mi (897.5 km2)
 • Water75.40 sq mi (195.3 km2)  17.87%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total11,003
 • Estimate 
(2022)
10,828
 • Density31.75/sq mi (12.26/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.washconc.org

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.[3] 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.[4]

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[5] 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.[6] The county borders the Albemarle Sound.

National protected area

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18002,422—
18103,46443.0%
18203,98615.1%
18304,55214.2%
18404,525−0.6%
18505,66425.2%
18606,35712.2%
18706,5162.5%
18808,92837.0%
189010,20014.2%
190010,6084.0%
191011,0624.3%
192011,4293.3%
193011,6031.5%
194012,3236.2%
195013,1807.0%
196013,4882.3%
197014,0384.1%
198014,8015.4%
199013,997−5.4%
200013,723−2.0%
201013,228−3.6%
202011,003−16.8%
2022 (est.)10,828[1]−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[1]

2010/2020 census
Washington County, North Carolina – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the U.S. census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 2010 % 2020
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%
Washington County, North Carolina – Racial Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 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.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[17] there were 13,723 people, 5,367 households, and 3,907 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km2). There were 6,174 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 48.28% White, 48.94% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 2.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,367 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.10% were married couples living together, 18.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,865, and the median income for a family was $34,888. Males had a median income of $27,058 versus $19,477 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,994. About 17.60% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Washington County is a member of the Albemarle Commission regional council of governments.

Washington County was one of the proposed sites for a Navy outlying landing field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier. Plans for construction have been scrapped due to public backlash and potential ecological impact.[18]

United States presidential election results for Washington County, North Carolina[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 2,781 44.82% 3,396 54.73% 28 0.45%
2016 2,564 41.59% 3,510 56.93% 91 1.48%
2012 2,622 40.34% 3,833 58.98% 44 0.68%
2008 2,670 41.37% 3,748 58.07% 36 0.56%
2004 2,484 45.40% 2,969 54.27% 18 0.33%
2000 2,169 44.36% 2,704 55.30% 17 0.35%
1996 1,562 34.47% 2,790 61.56% 180 3.97%
1992 1,780 33.89% 2,902 55.24% 571 10.87%
1988 2,186 43.69% 2,806 56.08% 12 0.24%
1984 2,731 46.67% 3,114 53.21% 7 0.12%
1980 1,943 38.57% 3,008 59.72% 86 1.71%
1976 1,486 34.07% 2,840 65.12% 35 0.80%
1972 2,559 61.65% 1,546 37.24% 46 1.11%
1968 1,016 21.26% 1,898 39.71% 1,866 39.04%
1964 1,144 31.35% 2,505 68.65% 0 0.00%
1960 1,027 29.84% 2,415 70.16% 0 0.00%
1956 1,033 34.66% 1,947 65.34% 0 0.00%
1952 774 28.17% 1,974 71.83% 0 0.00%
1948 333 16.19% 1,675 81.43% 49 2.38%
1944 497 21.81% 1,782 78.19% 0 0.00%
1940 362 17.35% 1,724 82.65% 0 0.00%
1936 535 22.20% 1,875 77.80% 0 0.00%
1932 619 26.77% 1,681 72.71% 12 0.52%
1928 1,183 56.85% 898 43.15% 0 0.00%
1924 834 48.40% 883 51.25% 6 0.35%
1920 971 46.53% 1,116 53.47% 0 0.00%
1916 486 42.74% 651 57.26% 0 0.00%
1912 384 37.07% 503 48.55% 149 14.38%

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.[20]

  • 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.[21]

Communities
Map of Washington County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Townships
  • Plymouth
  • Lees Mill
  • Scuppernong
  • Skinnersville

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "Quiet Washington County rich in coastal NC history". Coastal Review. April 25, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  4. "Somerset Place | NC Historic Sites". historicsites.nc.gov. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  5. Smith, Donna Campbell (April 12, 2020). "Bear Watching at Pungo National Wildlife Refuge". The Grey Area News. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  6. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. "NCWRC Game Lands". www.ncpaws.org. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  11. "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 20, 2015.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  13. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  14. "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  15. "P1 RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  16. "P1 RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  18. WRAL (November 16, 2007). "WRAL Archive: Navy Landing Field Controversy". WRAL.com. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  19. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  20. "Washington Co. SD".
  21. "HOME". Pocosin Innovative. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
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