Bertie County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Bertie County
state = North Carolina




map size = 250
founded = 1722
seat = Windsor | area_total_sq_mi =741
area_water_sq_mi =42
area percentage = 5.67%
census yr = 2000
pop = 19773
density_km2 =21
web = www.co.bertie.nc.us
|

Bertie County (pronounced BURT-TEE) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 19,773. Its county seat is WindsorGR|6.

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 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 counties. In 1741 parts of Bertie County became Edgecombe County and Northampton County. Finally, in 1759 parts of Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County were combined to form Hertford County, and Bertie was reduced to its present size.

Law and government

Bertie County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.

Pronunciation

A good way to raise the ire of a Bertie County resident is to mispronounce the county's name. Locals stress both syllables equally, with the "T" sound present in both (BURT-TEE). It's a good way to tell whether someone is native or visiting from afar. The common mispronunciation is like "Birdie."

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 741 square miles (1,920 km²), of which, 699 square miles (1,811 km²) of it is land and 42 square miles (109 km²) of it (5.67%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Hertford County, North Carolina - north
*Chowan County, North Carolina - east
*Washington County, North Carolina - southeast
*Martin County, North Carolina - southwest
*Halifax County, North Carolina - west
*Northampton County, North Carolina - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 19,773 people, 7,743 households, and 5,427 families residing in the county. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11/km²). There were 9,050 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 36.30% White, 62.34% Black or African American, 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 23.50% 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.

Inhabited places

Cities and towns

*Askewville
*Aulander
*Colerain
*Kelford
*Powellsville
*Merry Hill
*Roxobel
*Windsor

Townships

The county is divided into nine townships: Colerain, Indian Woods, Merry Hill, Mitchells, Roxobel, Snake Bite, Whites, Windsor, and Woodville.

Census-designated place

Bertie County has one Census-designated place: Lewiston Woodville.

Other Communities

Other communities include Elm Grove, Gatlinsville, Greens Cross, Hexlena, Perrytown, Pine Ridge, Sans Souci (with Sans Souci Ferry, the county's only ferry), Spring Branch, Woodard, Baker Town, Whites Cross, Rosemead, and Todds Cross.

References

External links

* [http://www.co.bertie.nc.us Bertie County government official website]
* [http://www.hopeplantation.org/ Historic Hope Plantation]