Perquimans County, North Carolina

Perquimans County, North Carolina
County
Perquimans County Courthouse
Perquimans County Courthouse
Official seal of Perquimans County, North Carolina
Seal
Official logo of Perquimans County, North Carolina
Logo
Map of North Carolina highlighting Perquimans County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Coordinates: 36°11′N 76°24′W / 36.18°N 76.40°W / 36.18; -76.40
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1668
Named afterYeopim word meaning “The land of beautiful women”[1]
SeatHertford
Largest communityHertford
Area
 • Total
328.93 sq mi (851.9 km2)
 • Land247.17 sq mi (640.2 km2)
 • Water81.76 sq mi (211.8 km2)  24.86%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
13,005
 • Estimate 
(2024)
13,460 Increase
 • Density52.62/sq mi (20.32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.perquimanscountync.gov

Perquimans County (/pɜːrˈkwɪmənz/ pur-KWIM-unz)[2] is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,005.[3] Its county seat is Hertford.[4] The Harvey Point Defense Testing Activity facility is located in Perquimans County.

History

The county was originally created as Berkeley Precinct. It was renamed Perquimans Precinct around 1684 and gained county status in 1739.[5] The largest community and county seat is Hertford.

  • Courthouse and the Jim "Catfish" Hunter Memorial
    Courthouse and the Jim "Catfish" Hunter Memorial
  • The Perquimans River and the "S" Bridge.
    The Perquimans River and the "S" Bridge.

Geography

Map
Interactive map of Perquimans County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 328.93 square miles (851.9 km2), of which 247.17 square miles (640.2 km2) is land and 81.76 square miles (211.8 km2) (24.86%) is water.[6]

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17905,439—
18005,7084.9%
18106,0526.0%
18206,85713.3%
18307,4198.2%
18407,346−1.0%
18507,332−0.2%
18607,238−1.3%
18707,9459.8%
18809,46619.1%
18909,293−1.8%
190010,0918.6%
191011,0549.5%
192011,1370.8%
193010,668−4.2%
19409,773−8.4%
19509,602−1.7%
19609,178−4.4%
19708,351−9.0%
19809,48613.6%
199010,44710.1%
200011,3688.8%
201013,45318.3%
202013,005−3.3%
2024 (est.)13,460[7] Increase3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[3]

2020 census

Perquimans County, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US 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 (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[13] Pop 2010[14] Pop 2020[15] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 8,015 9,608 9,333 70.50% 71.42% 71.76%
Black or African American alone (NH) 3,167 3,328 2,686 27.86% 24.74% 20.65%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 20 39 35 0.18% 0.29% 0.27%
Asian alone (NH) 24 36 36 0.21% 0.27% 0.28%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 2 7 0.03% 0.01% 0.05%
Other race alone (NH) 3 8 41 0.03% 0.06% 0.32%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 68 146 558 0.60% 1.09% 4.29%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 68 286 309 0.60% 2.13% 2.38%
Total 11,368 13,453 13,005 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,005, 5,566 households, and 4,023 families residing within its borders.[16]

The median age was 50.7 years; 18.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.9 males age 18 and over.[16]

Of the 5,566 households, 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.4% were married-couple households, 18.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]

There were 6,866 housing units, of which 18.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.3% were owner-occupied and 23.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.3%.[16]

The racial makeup of the county was 72.4% White, 20.9% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.4% of the population.[17]

Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[18]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[19] there were 11,368 people, 4,645 households, and 3,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 6,043 housing units at an average density of 24 units per square mile (9.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 70.82% White, 27.99% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 4,645 households, of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.

23.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.

The median household income was $29,538 and the median family income was $35,212. Males had a median income of $27,251 compared with $18,728 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,728. About 13.90% of families and 17.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.20% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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

United States presidential election results for Perquimans County, North Carolina[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 228 24.81% 647 70.40% 44 4.79%
1916 288 30.84% 645 69.06% 1 0.11%
1920 487 31.85% 1,042 68.15% 0 0.00%
1924 295 34.58% 550 64.48% 8 0.94%
1928 600 49.63% 609 50.37% 0 0.00%
1932 225 14.93% 1,280 84.94% 2 0.13%
1936 161 14.24% 970 85.76% 0 0.00%
1940 228 16.24% 1,176 83.76% 0 0.00%
1944 266 21.70% 960 78.30% 0 0.00%
1948 135 12.74% 849 80.09% 76 7.17%
1952 644 34.09% 1,245 65.91% 0 0.00%
1956 709 40.96% 1,022 59.04% 0 0.00%
1960 637 30.38% 1,460 69.62% 0 0.00%
1964 941 39.22% 1,458 60.78% 0 0.00%
1968 468 15.37% 1,023 33.60% 1,554 51.03%
1972 1,299 62.57% 723 34.83% 54 2.60%
1976 909 35.23% 1,666 64.57% 5 0.19%
1980 1,210 42.40% 1,560 54.66% 84 2.94%
1984 1,939 57.28% 1,441 42.57% 5 0.15%
1988 1,781 53.32% 1,543 46.20% 16 0.48%
1992 1,429 36.85% 1,818 46.88% 631 16.27%
1996 1,561 38.88% 2,069 51.53% 385 9.59%
2000 2,230 51.79% 2,033 47.21% 43 1.00%
2004 2,965 59.80% 1,971 39.75% 22 0.44%
2008 3,678 56.58% 2,772 42.64% 51 0.78%
2012 3,822 57.46% 2,759 41.48% 71 1.07%
2016 4,177 62.27% 2,319 34.57% 212 3.16%
2020 4,903 65.51% 2,492 33.30% 89 1.19%
2024 5,278 68.85% 2,269 29.60% 119 1.55%

Education

The county is served by Perquimans County Schools, the only school district in the county.[21]

Communities

Map of Perquimans County with municipal and township labels

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

  • Belvidere
  • Bethel
  • Hertford
  • New Hope
  • Parkville

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "Perquimans County, North Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "NC Pronunciation Guide". WRAL. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "QuickFacts: Perquimans County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ "North Carolina: Individual County Chronologies". North Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2009. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  6. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  10. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 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 18, 2015.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  13. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Perquimans County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Perquimans County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Perquimans County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ a b c d "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  18. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  21. ^ Geography Division (January 8, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Perquimans County, NC (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2025. - Text list
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perquimans_County