Bertie County, North Carolina


Bertie County is a county located in the northeast area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,934. Its county seat is Windsor. The county was created in 1722 as Bertie Precinct and gained county status in 1739.

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 perhaps 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 separate counties. As population of settlers increased, in 1741 parts of Bertie County were organized as Edgecombe County and Northampton County. Finally, in 1759 parts of Bertie, Chowan, and Northampton counties were combined to form 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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

National protected area

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Bertie County had a population of 17,934, with 7,264 households and 4,531 families, and a population density of 24 people per square mile.
The same census also recorded Bertie County as having the highest proportion of black residents among all counties in the state.
The median age was 47.1 years; 16.9% of residents were under 18 and 22.8% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.3 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 35.3% White, 59.8% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.2% from some other race, and 3.0% from two or more races. Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino] residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.
Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 7,264 households in the county, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.4% were married-couple households, 19.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 33.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 8,936 housing units, of which 18.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.4% were owner-occupied and 28.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.7%.
Income information was not available for the county in 2020. However, in 2019, the median income for women in the county was $22,443, and $27,992 for men.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 21,282 people living in the county. 62.5% were Black or African American, 35.2% White, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% of some other race and 0.9% of two or more races. 1.3% were Hispanic or Latino.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 19,773 people, 7,743 households, and 5,427 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 9,050 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 62.34% Black or African American, 36.30% White, 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 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.

Recent Population Trends and Estimates

The 2024 population estimate for Bertie County is 16,939. This is a decrease of approximately 5.5% since 2020. This decline is consistent with long-term trends showing decreasing population levels in the area for multiple decades.

Socioeconomic Indicators

Bertie County has shown persistent economic challenges over the past few decades. The estimated median household income across 2019-2023 is $45,931, which is below the state median. 19.8% of residents live below both the federal poverty line. Approximately 82% of adults 25 years or older have at least a high school diploma, while only 17.8% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. These indicators may suggest socioeconomic limitations that restrict upward mobility for residents within the area.

Migration Patterns and Population Decline

Bertie County has experienced significant population decline over the past 15 years. The estimated 2025 population for Bertie County is 16,543. This is a significant drop from the 2010 Census, which had a population at 21,282. This is an approximately 22.3% decrease in population over 15 years. Additionally, data from 2019-2023 shows that approximately 10.1% of people in Bertie County moved within the past year.

Racial Composition Trends

The 2020 Census shows that the racial composition of Bertie County remains heavily skewed towards the Black/African American population. With 59.5% of the population identifying as Black/African American, they compose a majority of the 17,934 residents in 2020. The county remains as one of the most predominantly black counties in North Carolina, which may shape social and economic dynamics across the county.

Future Population Projections

Government and politics

Bertie County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments. The County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer.
The 2024 presidential election marked the strongest showing for a Republican candidate in Bertie County since 1984, with Donald Trump winning nearly 42 percent of the county vote.

Education

Public schools in the county are managed by Bertie County Schools. Notable schools in Bertie county include Bertie High School, Lawrence Academy, and Bethel Assembly Christian Academy. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction rated the county school system as "low-performing" for the 2021–2022 school year.

Communities

Towns

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Bertie County.
† = county seat
RankNameTypePopulation
1† 'WindsorTown3,582
2AulanderTown763
3Lewiston WoodvilleTown426
4ColerainTown217
5KelfordTown203
6PowellsvilleTown189
7AskewvilleTown184
8Roxobel'Town179