Washington County, North Carolina Information & Washington County, North Carolina Links at HealthHaven.com

Washington County
	Washington County, North Carolina
	; Location in the state of North Carolina
	; North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Seat	Plymouth
Area; - Total; - Land; - Water	; 424 sq mi (1,098 km²); 348 sq mi (901 km²); 76 sq mi (197 km²), 17.89%
Population; - (2000); - Density	; 13,723; 39/sq mi (15/km²)
Founded	1799
Website	www.washconc.org

For counties with a similar name, see Washington County.

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 13,723. Its county seat is Plymouth^[1].

[edit] History

The county was formed in 1799 from the western third of Tyrrell County. It was named for George Washington.

[edit] Law and government

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

Washington County is one of the proposed sites for a Navy Outlying Landing Field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier. Construction, which has not yet begun, is controversial[1] due to its potential ecological impact.

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 424 square miles (1,099 km²), of which, 348 square miles (903 km²) of it is land and 76 square miles (197 km²) of it (17.89%) is water.

[edit] Townships

The county is divided into three incorporated towns: Plymouth (county seat), Roper, and Creswell.

[edit] Adjacent counties

Chowan County, North Carolina - north (across Albemarle Sound)
Perquimans County, North Carolina - northeast (across Albemarle Sound)
Tyrrell County, North Carolina - east
Hyde County, North Carolina - southeast
Beaufort County, North Carolina - southwest
Martin County, North Carolina - west
Bertie County, North Carolina - northwest

[edit] National protected area

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (part)

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, 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/km²). There were 6,174 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/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.