Bertie County, North Carolina

Bertie County
Bertie County Courthouse in Windsor
Flag of Bertie County
Official seal of Bertie County
Map of North Carolina highlighting Bertie 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°03′33″N 76°57′45″W / 36.059043°N 76.962364°W / 36.059043; -76.962364
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1739
Named forJames Bertie and/or Henry Bertie
SeatWindsor
Largest communityWindsor
Area
 • Total741.31 sq mi (1,920.0 km2)
 • Land699.18 sq mi (1,810.9 km2)
 • Water42.13 sq mi (109.1 km2)  5.61%
Population
 • Total17,934
 • Estimate 
(2022)
17,240
 • Density25.65/sq mi (9.90/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.co.bertie.nc.us

Bertie County (/ˌbɜːrˈtiː/ bur-TEE) is a county located in the northeast area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,934. Its county seat is Windsor. The county was created in 1722 as Bertie Precinct and gained county status in 1739.

History

The county was formed as Bertie Precinct in 1722 from the part of Chowan Precinct of Albemarle County lying west of the Chowan River. It was named for James Bertie, his brother Henry Bertie, or perhaps both, each having been one of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina.

In 1729 parts of Bertie Precinct, Chowan Precinct, Currituck Precinct, and Pasquotank Precinct of Albemarle County were combined to form Tyrrell Precinct. With the abolition of Albemarle County in 1739, all of its constituent precincts became separate counties. As population of settlers increased, in 1741 parts of Bertie County were organized as Edgecombe County and Northampton County. Finally, in 1759 parts of Bertie, Chowan, and Northampton counties were combined to form Hertford County. Bertie's boundaries have remained the same since then.

This mostly rural county depended on the agricultural economy well into the 20th century. In the colonial and antebellum eras, tobacco and cotton were the chief commodity crops, worked by Indian and African slaves. After the Civil War, agriculture continued to be important to the county. In the 21st century, developers have referred to it as being within the Inner Banks region, which is increasingly attracting retirees and buyers of second homes, because of its beaches and landscapes.

Geography

Map
Interactive map of Bertie County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 741.31 square miles (1,920.0 km2), of which 699.18 square miles (1,810.9 km2) is land and 42.13 square miles (109.1 km2) (5.61%) is water.

National protected area

State and local protected areas/sites

  • Bachelor Bay Game Land (part)
  • Bertie County Game Land
  • Chowan Swamp Game Land (part)
  • Historic Hope Plantation
  • Jamesville Wildlife Preserve
  • Lewiston Woodville Preserve
  • Lower Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (part)
  • Salmon Creek State Natural Area
  • Upper Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (part)

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
179012,462
180011,249−9.7%
181011,218−0.3%
182010,805−3.7%
183012,26213.5%
184012,175−0.7%
185012,8515.6%
186014,31011.4%
187012,950−9.5%
188016,39926.6%
189019,17616.9%
190020,5387.1%
191023,03912.2%
192023,9934.1%
193025,8447.7%
194026,2011.4%
195026,4390.9%
196024,350−7.9%
197020,528−15.7%
198021,0242.4%
199020,388−3.0%
200019,773−3.0%
201021,2827.6%
202017,934−15.7%
2022 (est.)17,240−3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

Bertie County racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 6,298 35.12%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,674 59.52%
Native American 57 0.32%
Asian 63 0.35%
Other/Mixed 512 2.85%
Hispanic or Latino 330 1.84%

As of the 2020 census, there were 17,934 people, 7,909 households, and 4,733 families residing in the county.

As of the 2020 census, Bertie County had the highest proportion of black residents among all counties in the state.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 21,282 people living in the county. 62.5% were Black or African American, 35.2% White, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% of some other race and 0.9% of two or more races. 1.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 19,773 people, 7,743 households, and 5,427 families living in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 9,050 housing units at an average density of 13 units per square mile (5.0 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 62.34% Black or African American, 36.30% White, 0.44% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, 0.48% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,743 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.00% were married couples living together, 20.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% 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 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 87.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,177, and the median income for a family was $30,186. Males had a median income of $26,866 versus $18,318 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,096. About 19.30% of families and 26% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.70% of those under age 18 and 28.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Bertie County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments. The County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer.

United States presidential election results for Bertie County, North Carolina
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,817 38.89% 5,939 60.51% 59 0.60%
2016 3,456 36.97% 5,778 61.82% 113 1.21%
2012 3,387 33.46% 6,695 66.14% 41 0.41%
2008 3,376 34.58% 6,365 65.20% 22 0.23%
2004 3,057 38.06% 4,938 61.48% 37 0.46%
2000 2,488 34.67% 4,660 64.94% 28 0.39%
1996 1,745 27.83% 4,202 67.01% 324 5.17%
1992 1,756 26.04% 4,382 64.99% 605 8.97%
1988 2,145 36.24% 3,762 63.56% 12 0.20%
1984 2,879 41.91% 3,953 57.54% 38 0.55%
1980 1,695 30.10% 3,863 68.59% 74 1.31%
1976 1,332 24.35% 4,117 75.27% 21 0.38%
1972 2,874 60.54% 1,819 38.32% 54 1.14%
1968 811 11.38% 3,207 45.00% 3,108 43.61%
1964 931 21.84% 3,332 78.16% 0 0.00%
1960 577 13.55% 3,682 86.45% 0 0.00%
1956 469 12.21% 3,373 87.79% 0 0.00%
1952 384 9.74% 3,557 90.26% 0 0.00%
1948 85 2.68% 3,034 95.71% 51 1.61%
1944 124 3.80% 3,142 96.20% 0 0.00%
1940 98 2.90% 3,287 97.10% 0 0.00%
1936 115 2.92% 3,828 97.08% 0 0.00%
1932 65 2.02% 3,154 97.83% 5 0.16%
1928 374 15.75% 2,000 84.25% 0 0.00%
1924 159 8.16% 1,785 91.59% 5 0.26%
1920 212 10.33% 1,840 89.67% 0 0.00%
1916 116 7.36% 1,461 92.64% 0 0.00%
1912 43 2.57% 1,571 93.79% 61 3.64%

Education

Public schools in the county are managed by Bertie County Schools. Notable schools in Bertie county include Bertie High School, Lawrence Academy, and Bethel Assembly Christian Academy. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction rated the county school system as "low-performing" for the 2021–2022 school year.

Communities

Map of Bertie County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Townships

  • Colerain
  • Indian Woods
  • Merry Hill
  • Mitchells
  • Roxobel
  • Snakebite
  • Whites
  • Windsor
  • Woodville

Unincorporated communities

  • Ashland
  • Avoca
  • Baker Town
  • Buena Vista
  • Elm Grove
  • Gatlinsville
  • Grabtown
  • Greens Cross
  • Hexlena
  • Merry Hill
  • Midway
  • Perrytown
  • Pine Ridge
  • Quitsna
  • Republican
  • Rosemead
  • Sans Souci
  • Spring Branch
  • Todds Cross
  • Trap
  • Whites Cross
  • Woodard

Population ranking

The population ranking is based on a 2023 estimate of Bertie County.

= county seat

Rank Name Type Population
(2023 estimate)
1 Windsor Town 3,507
2 Aulander Town 716
3 Lewiston Woodville Town 400
4 Powellsville Town 189
5 Colerain Town 212
6 Kelford Town 204
7 Roxobel Town 197
8 Askewville Town 176

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-12-23 20:50 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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