Martin County, North Carolina
| Martin County, North Carolina | |
|---|---|
 Location in the state of North Carolina | |
 North Carolina's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | 1774 |
| Named for | Josiah Martin |
| Seat | Williamston |
| Area | |
| • Total | 461 sq mi (1,194 km2) |
| • Land | 460.7 sq mi (1,193 km2) |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (1 km2), 0.07% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 24,505 |
| • Density | 52/sq mi (20/km²) |
| Website | www.martincountyncgov.com |
Martin County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,505.[1] Its county seat is Williamston[2].
History
The county was formed in 1774 from the southeastern part of Halifax County and the western part of Tyrrell County. It was named for Josiah Martin, the last royal governor of North Carolina (1771-1775). Whereas Dobbs County and Tryon County, named for Martin's predecessors Arthur Dobbs and William Tryon, were abolished after American independence, Martin County was neither abolished nor renamed, a fact which has been attributed to the popularity of Alexander Martin, twice governor of the state (1782-1784, 1789-1792).
Law and government
Martin County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.
Education
The primary and secondary public school functions are performed by Martin County Schools, a district covering the entire county. Martin Community College is located in Williamston.
Geography
The U.S. Census Bureau, reports the county's area is 461 square miles (1,190 km2), of which 461 square miles (1,190 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2) (0.07%) is water.[3]
Adjacent counties
- Bertie County, North Carolina - northeast
- Washington County, North Carolina - east
- Beaufort County, North Carolina - southeast
- Pitt County, North Carolina - southwest
- Edgecombe County, North Carolina - west
- Halifax County, North Carolina - northwest
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Halifax County | Bertie County | | |
| Edgecombe County |  |
Washington County | ||
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| Pitt County | Beaufort County |
Major highways
Politics
Martin County has tended to vote in line with the rest of the country in presidential elections. In 2008, Barack Obama won the county with 52.2% of the vote. This was very similar to his national figure of 52.91%.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 6,010 | ||
| 1800 | 5,629 | −6.3% | |
| 1810 | 5,987 | 6.4% | |
| 1820 | 6,320 | 5.6% | |
| 1830 | 8,539 | 35.1% | |
| 1840 | 7,637 | −10.6% | |
| 1850 | 8,307 | 8.8% | |
| 1860 | 10,195 | 22.7% | |
| 1870 | 9,647 | −5.4% | |
| 1880 | 13,140 | 36.2% | |
| 1890 | 15,221 | 15.8% | |
| 1900 | 15,383 | 1.1% | |
| 1910 | 17,797 | 15.7% | |
| 1920 | 20,828 | 17.0% | |
| 1930 | 23,400 | 12.3% | |
| 1940 | 26,111 | 11.6% | |
| 1950 | 27,938 | 7.0% | |
| 1960 | 27,139 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 24,730 | −8.9% | |
| 1980 | 25,948 | 4.9% | |
| 1990 | 25,078 | −3.4% | |
| 2000 | 25,593 | 2.1% | |
| 2010 | 24,505 | −4.3% | |
| Est. 2012 | 23,961 | −2.2% | |
2012 Estimate[1] | |||
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 25,593 people, 10,020 households, and 7,194 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 10,930 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 52.54% White, 45.37% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 10,020 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples living together, 17.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.70% 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 2.53 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 86.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,793, and the median income for a family was $35,428. Males had a median income of $29,818 versus $19,167 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,102. About 16.30% of families and 20.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.50% of those under age 18 and 25.70% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Townships
The county is divided into ten townships: Bear Grass, Cross Roads, Goose Nest, Griffins, Hamilton, Jamesville, Poplar Point, Robersonville, Williams, and Williamston.
See also
Coordinates: 35°50′N 77°06′W / 35.84°N 77.10°W
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
NCGenWeb Martin County - free genealogy resources for the county
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