Northampton County, North Carolina

The area was first organized under English colonial authority as the Albemarle Precinct. In 1729 part of Albemarle was split off to form Bertie Precinct. In 1739 all former precincts became counties. Northampton County was formed from part of Bertie County in 1741.{{sfn|Footprints in Northampton|1976|p=5}}

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.

In 1959, the county went to the U.S. Supreme Court to defend the use of a literacy test as a requirement to vote. In Lassiter v. Northampton County Board of Elections, the court held that, provided the tests were applied equally to all races and were not "merely a device to make racial discrimination easy," they were allowable.Lassiter v. Northampton County Board of Elections, 360 U.S. 45 (1959). Findlaw.com; retrieved December 7, 2010. Congress subsequently prohibited use of such tests under the National Voting Rights Act of 1965.

{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q506676|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Northampton County}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|550.56|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|536.70|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|13.86|sqmi}} (2.52%) is water.{{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}}

• Lake Gaston Public Recreation Area (part)
• Roanoke Rapids Lake Day Use Area (part)
• Upper Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land (part){{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}

• Bull Neck Swamp
• Corduroy Swamp
• Doolittle Millpond
• Gumberry Swamp
• Lake Gaston
• Meherrin River
• Occoneechee Creek
• Paddys Delight Creek
• Potecasi Creek
• Ramsey Creek
• Roanoke Rapids Lake
• Roanoke River
• Taylors Millpond
• Urahaw Swamp

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

{{div col}}

• {{Jct|state=NC|I|95}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|US|158}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|US-Byp|158|dab1=Garysburg}} (bypass of Garysburg)
• {{Jct|state=NC|US|258}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|US|301}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|35}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|46}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|48}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|186}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|305}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|308}}
• {{Jct|state=NC|NC|561}}

{{div col end}}

{{US Census population

|1790= 9992

|1800= 12353

|1810= 13082

|1820= 13242

|1830= 13391

|1840= 13369

|1850= 13335

|1860= 13372

|1870= 14749

|1880= 20032

|1890= 21242

|1900= 21150

|1910= 22323

|1920= 23184

|1930= 27161

|1940= 28299

|1950= 28432

|1960= 26811

|1970= 24009

|1980= 22584

|1990= 20798

|2000= 22086

|2010= 22099

|2020= 17471

|estyear=2023

|estimate=16715

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{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 18, 2015}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 18, 2015}} 1900–1990{{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 18, 2015}}
1990–2000{{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 18, 2015}} 2010{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36131.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 27, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/northamptoncountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Northampton County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 17,471 people, 8,547 households, and 5,610 families residing in the county.

At the 2010 census, there were 22,099 people living in the county; 58.4% were Black or African American, 39.2% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% of some other race and 1.0% of two or more races. 1.4% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

At the 2000 census,{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} there were 22,086 people, 8,691 households, and 5,953 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|41|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 10,455 housing units at an average density of {{convert|20|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 59.43% Black or African American, 39.09% White, 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.

Northampton County is a member of the regional Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments. Northampton is a traditionally Democratic county, being one of only two counties in the state won by George McGovern during his 1972 landslide loss.[http://www.uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/comparemaps.php?year=1972&fips=37&f=1&off=0&elect=0 David Leip’s Presidential Atlas (Maps for North Carolina by election)] Apart from two counties in South Texas;{{ref label|counties|a|a}} Northampton County is the only county in the United States to vote Democratic in every presidential election over the past century;Sullivan, Robert David; [http://www.americamagazine.org/content/unconventional-wisdom/how-red-and-blue-map-evolved-over-past-century ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’]; America Magazine, June 29, 2016 the last Democratic candidate to lose the county was William Jennings Bryan in 1896.{{Cite web|url=http://geoelections.free.fr/USA/elec_comtes/1896.htm|title=Presidential election of 1896 - Map by counties|website=geoelections.free.fr|access-date=March 16, 2018}} Apart from Hubert Humphrey and McGovern who received just over 51 percent, every Democratic nominee in the past century has received at least 55 percent of the county's vote. Northampton County has the longest ongoing Democratic voting streak in the United States after Starr County, Texas flipped Republican in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-11-06 |title=Trump wins South Texas county that Democrats have won since 1896 |url=https://www.kcbd.com/2024/11/06/trump-first-republican-win-starr-county-since-1896/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=KCBD |language=en}}

{{PresHead|place=Northampton County, North Carolina|whig=no|source1={{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 16, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|3,905|5,239|71|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|3,989|6,069|52|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|3,582|6,144|122|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|3,483|7,232|41|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|3,671|6,903|44|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|3,176|5,584|10|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|2,667|5,513|20|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,881|5,207|411|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,845|5,195|927|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|2,415|4,599|19|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|3,198|5,094|38|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,847|4,933|81|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,238|5,118|23|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|2,997|3,233|52|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|860|4,072|2,986|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,187|5,046|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|678|4,756|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|747|4,242|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|583|4,334|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|179|3,591|126|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|172|3,470|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|105|3,826|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|109|3,785|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|147|3,243|7|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|456|1,723|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|144|1,662|17|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|165|2,305|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|45|1,518|0|North Carolina}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|57|1,625|53|North Carolina}}

Northampton County is part of North Carolina's 1st congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+1 and has been represented by a Democratic Congressman since 1899. It is currently represented by Don Davis. In the North Carolina House of Representatives, Northampton County lies within the 27th district, which also covers Halifax County and is represented by Democrat Michael H. Wray. In the North Carolina Senate, Northampton County lies within the 3rd district, represented by Republican Bobby Hanig.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction rated the county school system as "low-performing" for the 2021–2022 school year. A school system is considered low-performing if a majority of its schools are. A school is considered low-performing if it receives a D or F, unless it has exceeded expectations. Each of the schools had "met expectations" except where specified otherwise.{{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}}

The department's appraisal of the schools was as follows:

• Central Elementary: D
• Willis Hare Elementary: F
• Gaston STEM Leadership Academy: F
• Conway Middle: D (exceeded expectations)
• Northampton Early College: B (no expectations were set)
• Northampton County High School: D (did not meet expectations)
• Northampton Virtual Academy: N/A

File:Map of Northampton County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG

{{div col}}

• Conway
• Garysburg
• Gaston (largest community)
• Jackson (county seat)
• Lasker
• Rich Square
• Seaboard
• Severn
• Woodland

{{div col end}}

• Margarettsville
• Milwaukee
• Pleasant Hill
• Turners Crossroads

{{div col}}

• Gaston
• Jackson
• Kirby
• Occoneechee
• Pleasant Hill
• Rich Square
• Roanoke
• Seaboard
• Wiccanee

{{div col end}}

• List of counties in North Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Northampton County, North Carolina
• Meherrin Indian Tribe, state-recognized tribe that resides in the county

{{note label|counties|a|a}}The South Texas counties voting Democrat at every election since before World War I comprise Jim Hogg and Brooks Counties

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite book| title = Footprints in Northampton : 1741-1776-1976| publisher = Northampton County Bicentennial Committee| date = 1976| location = Rich Square| url = https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/16815|ref={{harvid|Footprints in Northampton|1976}}}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{osmrelation|2528728}}
• {{Official website|http://www.northamptonnc.com}}
• [http://www.northamptonchamber.org Northampton County Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.northamptonhd.com Northampton County Health Department]
• [http://www.northampton.k12.nc.us Northampton County Public Schools]
• [http://www.ncgenweb.us/northampton/ NCGenWeb Northampton County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Northampton County, North Carolina

|North = Greensville County, Virginia

|Northeast = Southampton County, Virginia

|East = Hertford County

|Southeast = Bertie County

|South =

|Southwest = Halifax County

|West =

|Northwest = Brunswick County, Virginia and Warren County

}}

{{Northampton County, North Carolina}}

{{North Carolina}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina micropolitan area

Category:1741 establishments in North Carolina

Category:Populated places established in 1741

Category:Black Belt (U.S. region)

Category:Majority-minority counties in North Carolina