Editing Bertie County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Bertie County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | ex image             = Bertie County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Bertie County Courthouse]] in Windsor
 | seal                 = Bertie County seal.jpg
 | founded              = 1739
 | named for            = [[James Bertie]] and/or [[Henry Bertie (MP for Beaumaris)|Henry Bertie]]
 | seat wl              = Windsor
 | largest city wl      = Windsor
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 741.31
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 699.18
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 42.13
 | area percentage      = 5.61
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 17934
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 16922 {{loss}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 25.65
 | coordinates          = {{coord|36.06|-76.96|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.co.bertie.nc.us
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | flag                 = Bertie County Flag.gif}}

'''Bertie County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|b|ɜːr|ˈ|t|iː}} {{respell|bur|TEE}})<ref>{{cite web|title=NC Pronunciation Guide|url=https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/blogpost/10331495/|publisher=WRAL|accessdate=August 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="North Carolina Collection">[https://library.unc.edu/wilson/ncc/talk-like-a-tar-heel/ Talk Like a Tarheel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622041633/http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/ref/resources/tlth.html |date=June 22, 2013 }}, from the North Carolina Collection website at the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. Retrieved August 16, 2023.</ref> is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the northeast area of the [[U.S. state]] of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 17,934.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Windsor, North Carolina|Windsor]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was created in 1722 as Bertie Precinct and gained county status in 1739.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/NC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=North Carolina: Individual County Chronologies|work=North Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|date=2009|access-date=January 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304115449/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/NC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
The county was formed as '''Bertie Precinct''' in 1722 from the part of [[Chowan County, North Carolina|Chowan Precinct]] of [[Albemarle County, North Carolina|Albemarle County]] lying west of the [[Chowan River]]. It was named for [[James Bertie]], his brother [[Henry Bertie (proprietor)|Henry Bertie]], or perhaps both, each having been one of the [[Lords Proprietors of Carolina]].

In 1729 parts of Bertie Precinct, Chowan Precinct, [[Currituck County, North Carolina|Currituck Precinct]], and [[Pasquotank County, North Carolina|Pasquotank Precinct]] of Albemarle County were combined to form [[Tyrrell County, North Carolina|Tyrrell Precinct]]. With the abolition of Albemarle County in 1739, all of its constituent precincts became separate counties. As population of settlers increased, in 1741 parts of Bertie County were organized as [[Edgecombe County, North Carolina|Edgecombe County]] and [[Northampton County, North Carolina|Northampton County]]. Finally, in 1759 parts of Bertie, Chowan, and Northampton counties were combined to form [[Hertford County, North Carolina|Hertford County]]. Bertie's boundaries have remained the same since then.

This mostly rural county depended on the agricultural economy well into the 20th century. In the colonial and antebellum eras, tobacco and cotton were the chief commodity crops, worked by Indian and African slaves. After the Civil War, agriculture continued to be important to the county. In the 21st century, developers have referred to it as being within the [[Inner Banks]] region, which is increasingly attracting retirees and buyers of second homes, because of its beaches and landscapes.

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q504335|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Bertie County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|741.31|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|699.18|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|42.13|sqmi}} (5.61%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===National protected area===
* [[Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge]]

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[Bachelor Bay Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands">{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>
* [[Bertie County Game Land]]<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>
* [[Chowan Swamp Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>
* [[Hope Plantation|Historic Hope Plantation]]
* [[Jamesville Wildlife Preserve]]
* [[Lewiston Woodville Preserve]]
* [[Lower Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>
* [[List of North Carolina state parks#State Natural Areas|Salmon Creek State Natural Area]]
* [[Upper Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land]] (part)<ref name="NCWRC Game Lands"/>

===Major water bodies===
* [[Albemarle Sound]]
* [[Beaverdam Swamp (North Carolina)|Beaverdam Swamp]]
* [[Cashie River]]
* [[Chowan River]]
* [[Chinkapin Swamp (North Carolina)|Chinkapin Swamp]]
* [[Cucklemaker Creek (North Carolina)|Cucklemaker Creek]]
* [[Cypress Swamp (North Carolina)|Cypress Swamp]]
* [[Falt Swamp Creek (North Carolina)|Falt Swamp Creek]]
* [[Hoggard Mill Creek (North Carolina)|Hoggard Mill Creek]]
* [[Loosing Swamp (North Carolina)|Loosing Swamp]]
* [[Middle River (North Carolina)|Middle River]]
* [[Quioccosin Creek (North Carolina)|Quioccosin Creek]]
* [[Roanoke River]]
* [[Stoney Creek (North Carolina Creek)|Stoney Creek]]
* [[Wahton Swamp (North Carolina)|Wahton Swamp]]
* [[Wildcat Swamp (North Carolina)|Wildcat Swamp]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Hertford County, North Carolina|Hertford County]] – north
* [[Chowan County, North Carolina|Chowan County]] – east
* [[Washington County, North Carolina|Washington County]] – southeast
* [[Martin County, North Carolina|Martin County]] – south
* [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax County]] – west
* [[Northampton County, North Carolina|Northampton County]] – northwest

===Major highways===
* {{Jct|state=NC|I-Future|87}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|13}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|13|dab1=Windsor}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|17}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Bus|17|dab1=Windsor}}
* {{jct|state=NC|US-Byp|17|dab1=Windsor}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|11}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|11|dab1=Aulander}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|42}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|45}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|305}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|308}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Sans Souci Ferry]], river ferry across the Cashie River

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 12462
|1800= 11249
|1810= 11218
|1820= 10805
|1830= 12262
|1840= 12175
|1850= 12851
|1860= 14310
|1870= 12950
|1880= 16399
|1890= 19176
|1900= 20538
|1910= 23039
|1920= 23993
|1930= 25844
|1940= 26201
|1950= 26439
|1960= 24350
|1970= 20528
|1980= 21024
|1990= 20388
|2000= 19773
|2010= 21282
|2020= 17934
|estyear=2023
|estimate=16922
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37015.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606234821/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37015.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bertiecountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Bertie County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Bertie County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US37015&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 24, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 6,298
| 35.12%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 10,674
| 59.52%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 57
| 0.32%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 63
| 0.35%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 512
| 2.85%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 330
| 1.84%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 17,934 people, 7,909 households, and 4,733 families residing in the county.

As of the 2020 census, Bertie County had the highest proportion of black residents among all counties in the state.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/what-is-the-racial-breakdown-of-north-carolinas-100-counties/| title = What is the racial breakdown of North Carolina’s 100 counties?| last = Melrose| first = Justyn| date = June 28, 2023| website = Fox 8| publisher = Nexstar Media Group, Inc.| access-date = October 24, 2023}}</ref>

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 21,282 people living in the county. 62.5% were [[African American|Black or African American]], 35.2% [[White American|White]], 0.5% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.5% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.5% of some other race and 0.9% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 1.3% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 19,773 people, 7,743 households, and 5,427 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|28|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 9,050 housing units at an average density of {{convert|13|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 62.34% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 36.30% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.44% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.11% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.33% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], 0.48% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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 [[Marriage|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 26% 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.

==Government and politics==
Bertie County is a member of the [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Mid-East Commission]] regional council of governments. The County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer.

The [[2024 US presidential election|2024 presidential election]] marked the strongest showing for a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidate in Bertie County since [[1984 US presidential election|1984]], with [[Donald Trump]] winning nearly 42 percent of the county vote.

{{PresHead|place=Bertie County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 14, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|3,840|5,279|67|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|3,817|5,939|59|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|3,456|5,778|113|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|3,387|6,695|41|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|3,376|6,365|22|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|3,057|4,938|37|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|2,488|4,660|28|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,745|4,202|324|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,756|4,382|605|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|2,145|3,762|12|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|2,879|3,953|38|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,695|3,863|74|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,332|4,117|21|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,874|1,819|54|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|811|3,207|3,108|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|931|3,332|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|577|3,682|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|469|3,373|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|384|3,557|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|85|3,034|51|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|124|3,142|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|98|3,287|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|115|3,828|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|65|3,154|5|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|374|2,000|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|159|1,785|5|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|212|1,840|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|116|1,461|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|43|1,571|61|North Carolina}}

==Education==
Public schools in the county are managed by [[Bertie County Schools]]. Notable schools in Bertie county include [[Bertie High School]], [[Lawrence Academy (North Carolina)|Lawrence Academy]], and [[Bethel Assembly Christian Academy (North Carolina)|Bethel Assembly Christian Academy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bertie High School / Homepage |url=https://www.bertie.k12.nc.us/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bertie.k12.nc.us%2Fsite%2Fdefault.aspx%3FDomainID%3D69 |access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=www.bertie.k12.nc.us |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lawrence Academy – Excellence in education since 1968 |url=http://www.lawrenceacademy.org/ |access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=www.lawrenceacademy.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Askewville Assembly - BACA |url=http://askewvilleassembly.com/baca |access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=askewvilleassembly.com}}</ref> The [[North Carolina Department of Public Instruction]] rated the county school system as "low-performing" for the 2021–2022 school year.<ref>{{cite news| last = Taylor| first = Holly| title = Local "report cards" show mixed results| newspaper = The Roanoke-Chowan Herald| date = September 13, 2022| url = https://www.roanoke-chowannewsherald.com/2022/09/13/local-report-cards-show-mixed-results/| access-date = January 3, 2023}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Bertie County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|300px|Map of Bertie County with municipal and township labels]]

===Towns===
{{div col}}
* [[Askewville, North Carolina|Askewville]]
* [[Aulander, North Carolina|Aulander]]
* [[Colerain, North Carolina|Colerain]]
* [[Kelford, North Carolina|Kelford]]
* [[Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina|Lewiston Woodville]]
* [[Powellsville, North Carolina|Powellsville]]
* [[Roxobel, North Carolina|Roxobel]]
* [[Windsor, North Carolina|Windsor]] (county seat and largest community)
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col}}
* Colerain
* Indian Woods
* Merry Hill
* Mitchells
* Roxobel
* [[Snakebite Township, Bertie County, North Carolina|Snakebite]]
* Whites
* Windsor
* Woodville
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* Ashland
* Avoca
* Baker Town
* Buena Vista
* Elm Grove
* Gatlinsville
* [[Grabtown, Bertie County, North Carolina|Grabtown]]
* Greens Cross
* Hexlena
* [[Merry Hill, North Carolina|Merry Hill]]
* Midway
* Perrytown
* Pine Ridge
* [[Quitsna, North Carolina|Quitsna]]
* [[Republican, North Carolina|Republican]]
* Rosemead
* Sans Souci
* Spring Branch
* Todds Cross
* Trap
* Whites Cross
* Woodard
{{div col end}}

===Population ranking===
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Bertie County.<ref name="PopEstCities">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division}}</ref>

'''†''' = ''county seat''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Rank
! Name
! Type
! Population<br/>(2020 census)
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 1
|'''†''' '''[[Windsor, North Carolina|Windsor]]'''
| Town
| 3,582
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 2
|'''[[Aulander, North Carolina|Aulander]]'''
| Town
| 763
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 3
|'''[[Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina|Lewiston Woodville]]'''
| Town
| 426
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 4
|'''[[Colerain, North Carolina|Colerain]]'''
| Town
| 217
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 5
|'''[[Kelford, North Carolina|Kelford]]'''
| Town
| 203
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 6
|'''[[Powellsville, North Carolina|Powellsville]]'''
| Town
| 189
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 7
|'''[[Askewville, North Carolina|Askewville]]'''
| Town
| 184
|- style="background-color:#F0F8FF;"
| 8
|'''[[Roxobel, North Carolina|Roxobel]]'''
| Town
| 179
|}

==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Bertie County, North Carolina]]
* [[List of Highway Historical Markers in Bertie County, North Carolina]]
* [[Meherrin Indian Tribe]], state-recognized tribe that resides in the county

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|1242005}}
* {{official website|http://www.co.bertie.nc.us}}
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q18150985|title=If You Build It}}, documentary film about an education project in Bertie County
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q26899519|title=Raising Bertie}}, documentary film about education in Bertie County

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Bertie County, North Carolina
|North     = [[Hertford County, North Carolina|Hertford County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Chowan County, North Carolina|Chowan County]]
|Southeast = [[Washington County, North Carolina|Washington County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Martin County, North Carolina|Martin County]]
|West      = [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax County]]
|Northwest = [[Northampton County, North Carolina|Northampton County]]
}}
{{Bertie County, North Carolina}}
{{North_Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bertie County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1739 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1739]]
[[Category:Black Belt (U.S. region)]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in North Carolina]]