Hertford County, North Carolina
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Hertford County is a county located in the state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 22,601. Its county seat is Winton6.
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History
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.
In 1779 the northeastern part of Hertford County was combined with parts of Chowan County and Perquimans County to form Gates County.
Business and Industry
Several large employers are located in Hertford County, including a privately run federal prison, a private college (Chowan College), a Nucor steel mill, several Perdue facilities, an aluminum extrusion facility in Winton, and a lumber processing facility in Ahoskie. These industries, combined with a fairly typical range of local retail and restaurant businesses, combine to give Hertford County one of the lowest unemployment rates in Northeastern North Carolina - an area which has historically lagged behind the rest of the state in terms of economic development.
Law and government
Hertford County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 933 km² (360 mi²). 915 km² (353 mi²) of it is land and 19 km² (7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.99% water.
Townships
The county is divided into six townships: Ahoskie, Harrellsville, Maneys Neck, Murfreesboro, St. Johns, and Winton.
Adjacent Counties
- Southampton County, Virginia - north
- Gates County, North Carolina - east
- Chowan County, North Carolina - southeast
- Bertie County, North Carolina - south
- Northampton County, North Carolina - west
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 22,601 people, 8,953 households, and 6,240 families residing in the county. The population density is 25/km² (64/mi²). There are 9,724 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (28/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 37.45% White, 59.55% Black or African American, 1.19% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.65% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,953 households out of which 30.00% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.80% are married couples living together, 19.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% are non-families. 26.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 2.99.
In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 85.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 79.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $26,422, and the median income for a family is $32,002. Males have a median income of $26,730 versus $20,144 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,641. 18.30% of the population and 15.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.30% of those under the age of 18 and 21.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
External links
- Hertford County government official website (http://www.co.hertford.nc.us)
- Town of Murfreesboro official website (http://www.murfreesboronc.com)
- Roanoke-Chowan News Herald, regional newspaper (http://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com)
