Northampton County, North Carolina

Northampton County, North Carolina
Seal
Location in the state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1741
Seat	Jackson
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	551 sq mi (1,427 km²) 536 sq mi (1,388 km²) 14 sq mi (36 km²), 2.57%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	22,086 41/sq mi (16/km²)
Website	www.northamptonnc.com

Northampton County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 22,086. Its county seat is Jackson^[1].

Northampton County is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1741 from Bertie County. It was named for James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton.

In 1759 parts of Northampton County, Bertie County, and Chowan County were combined to form Hertford County.

Law and government

Northampton County is a member of the regional Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments.

Politics

It is a traditionally Democratic county and was one of only two counties in the state won by George McGovern.^[2] The last Democratic candidate to lose the county was William Jennings Bryan in 1896.^[3] In the last five Presidential elections the Democratic candidate has consistently received over 63% of the county's vote.^[4]

It is part of North Carolina's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+9 and has been represented by a Democratic Congressman since 1899. It is currently represented by G. K. Butterfield.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 551 square miles (1,430 km²), of which, 536 square miles (1,390 km²) of it is land and 14 square miles (36 km²) of it (2.57%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into nine townships: Conway, Gaston, Jackson, Lasker, Pleasant Hill, Rich Square, Seaboard, Severn and Woodland.

Adjacent counties

• Greensville County, Virginia - north
• Southampton County, Virginia - northeast
• Hertford County, North Carolina - east
• Bertie County, North Carolina - southeast
• Halifax County, North Carolina - southwest
• Warren County, North Carolina - northwest
• Brunswick County, Virginia - north-northwest

Demographics

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 22,086 people, 8,691 households, and 5,953 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 10,455 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 39.09% White, 59.43% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,691 households out of which 27.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.50% were married couples living together, 18.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.30% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,652, and the median income for a family was $34,648. Males had a median income of $27,970 versus $21,183 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,413. About 17.00% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.80% of those under age 18 and 21.50% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Map of Northampton County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

• Conway
• Garysburg
• Gaston
• Jackson
• Lasker
• Rich Square
• Seaboard
• Severn
• Woodland

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Northampton County, North Carolina

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ David Leip's Presidential Atlas (Maps for North Carolina by election)
3. ^ Geographie Electorale
4. ^ The New York Times electoral map (Zoom in on North Carolina)
5. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

External links

• Official Northampton County Chamber of Commerce
• Northampton County government official website
• Official Northampton County Health Department
• Northampton County Public Schools official website

Coordinates: 36°25′N 77°24′W / 36.42°N 77.40°W / 36.42; -77.40