Perquimans County, North Carolina

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.

Perquimans County
Perquimans County Courthouse
Official seal of Perquimans County
Official logo of Perquimans County
Map of North Carolina highlighting Perquimans 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°11′N 76°24′W / 36.18°N 76.40°W / 36.18; -76.40
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1668
Named forYeopim 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 
(2023)
13,377
 • Density52.62/sq mi (20.32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.perquimanscountync.gov

History

edit

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.

Geography

edit
 
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

edit

Adjacent counties

edit

Major highways

edit

Demographics

edit
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%
2023 (est.)13,377[3]2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[3]

2020 census

edit
Perquimans County racial composition[12]
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 9,333 71.76%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 2,686 20.65%
Native American 35 0.27%
Asian 36 0.28%
Pacific Islander 7 0.05%
Other/Mixed 599 4.61%
Hispanic or Latino 309 2.38%

As of the 2020 census, there were 13,005 people, 5,936 households, and 4,023 families residing in the county.

2000 census

edit

At the 2000 census,[13] 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

edit

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

United States presidential election results for Perquimans County, North Carolina[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,278 68.85% 2,269 29.60% 119 1.55%
2020 4,903 65.51% 2,492 33.30% 89 1.19%
2016 4,177 62.27% 2,319 34.57% 212 3.16%
2012 3,822 57.46% 2,759 41.48% 71 1.07%
2008 3,678 56.58% 2,772 42.64% 51 0.78%
2004 2,965 59.80% 1,971 39.75% 22 0.44%
2000 2,230 51.79% 2,033 47.21% 43 1.00%
1996 1,561 38.88% 2,069 51.53% 385 9.59%
1992 1,429 36.85% 1,818 46.88% 631 16.27%
1988 1,781 53.32% 1,543 46.20% 16 0.48%
1984 1,939 57.28% 1,441 42.57% 5 0.15%
1980 1,210 42.40% 1,560 54.66% 84 2.94%
1976 909 35.23% 1,666 64.57% 5 0.19%
1972 1,299 62.57% 723 34.83% 54 2.60%
1968 468 15.37% 1,023 33.60% 1,554 51.03%
1964 941 39.22% 1,458 60.78% 0 0.00%
1960 637 30.38% 1,460 69.62% 0 0.00%
1956 709 40.96% 1,022 59.04% 0 0.00%
1952 644 34.09% 1,245 65.91% 0 0.00%
1948 135 12.74% 849 80.09% 76 7.17%
1944 266 21.70% 960 78.30% 0 0.00%
1940 228 16.24% 1,176 83.76% 0 0.00%
1936 161 14.24% 970 85.76% 0 0.00%
1932 225 14.93% 1,280 84.94% 2 0.13%
1928 600 49.63% 609 50.37% 0 0.00%
1924 295 34.58% 550 64.48% 8 0.94%
1920 487 31.85% 1,042 68.15% 0 0.00%
1916 288 30.84% 645 69.06% 1 0.11%
1912 228 24.81% 647 70.40% 44 4.79%

Education

edit

The county is served by Perquimans County Schools.

Communities

edit
 
Map of Perquimans County with municipal and township labels

Towns

edit

Unincorporated communities

edit

Townships

edit
  • Belvidere
  • Bethel
  • Hertford
  • New Hope
  • Parkville

Notable people

edit

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Perquimans County, North Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "NC Pronunciation Guide". WRAL. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  9. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
edit