Carteret County, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Carteret County is a county located in the U.S. state
of North Carolina
. As of 2010, the population was 66,469. Its county seat
is Beaufort
. Most of the county is part of the Crystal Coast
.
The county was named for Sir George Carteret, one of the 17th century English
Lords Proprietor
, or for his descendant and heir John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville
. Lord Carteret's family was the only one of the original eight who retained title to its "Granville District
" (of North Carolina) right up to the time of the American Revolutionary War
.
in Lower Normandy. According to recent researchs, it could be of Scandinavian origin. The first element Carte- could represent Old Norse kart "place with pebbles or stones" and the second -ret, ON reidh "anchorage", "moorings".
.
A voting machine malfunction in the county resulted in the loss of 4,438 ballots cast during early voting for the November 2, 2004 general election. Since the number of lost ballots exceeded the lead held (by Steve Troxler
over Britt Cobb
) in the statewide race for agriculture
commissioner, the State Board of Elections decided to hold a special election on January 11, 2005, open only to the 18,500 voters in the county who either failed to vote or whose votes were lost. Both candidates filed legal challenges contesting the format of the new election. On February 4, 2005, Cobb conceded the race.
is located in the western section of Carteret County along Bouge Sound. It comprises an 875 acres (3.5 km²) landing field located on Bogue Sound that serves as the Marine Corps’ only East Coast site for Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP).
, the county has a total area of 1341 square miles (3,473.2 km²), of which 520 square miles (1,346.8 km²) is land and 821 square miles (2,126.4 km²) (61.22%) is water.
National protected area
of 2000, there were 59,383 people, 25,204 households, and 17,365 families residing in the county. The population density
was 114 people per square mile (44/km²). There were 40,947 housing units at an average density of 79 per square mile (30/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.28% White
, 6.99% Black
or African American
, 0.54% Asian
, 0.43% Native American
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 0.60% from other races
, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 25,204 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the county the population was spread out with 20.70% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 28.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in Carteret County in 2009 was $49,711, and the median income for a family was $45,499. Males had a median income of $31,365 versus $22,126 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,260. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. As of 2010, the population was 66,469. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Beaufort
Beaufort, North Carolina
Beaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
. Most of the county is part of the Crystal Coast
Crystal Coast
The Crystal Coast is an 85-mile stretch of coastline in North Carolina that extends from the Cape Lookout National Seashore, which includes 56 miles of protected beaches, westward to the New River. It is also known as the Southern Outer Banks and is a popular area with tourists and second-home...
.
The county was named for Sir George Carteret, one of the 17th century English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
Lords Proprietor
Lords Proprietor
Lords Proprietor was the name for the chief or highest owners or proprietors of certain English proprietary colonies in America, such as Carolina, New Jersey and Barbados....
, or for his descendant and heir John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville
John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville
John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville, 7th Seigneur of Sark, KG, PC , commonly known by his earlier title as Lord Carteret, was a British statesman and Lord President of the Council from 1751 to 1763.-Family:...
. Lord Carteret's family was the only one of the original eight who retained title to its "Granville District
Granville District
The Granville District was a 60-mile wide strip of land in the North Carolina colony adjoining the boundary with Virginia, lying between north latitudes 35° 34' and 36° 30'....
" (of North Carolina) right up to the time of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Origin of the Name
The Carterets are named after the village of CarteretBarneville-Carteret
Barneville-Carteret is a commune in the Manche department in the Basse-Normandie region in north-western France. It is situated on the western coast of the Cotentin peninsula some 30 km south of Cherbourg. It consists of three small urban areas, Barneville Bourg, Barneville Plage and Carteret...
in Lower Normandy. According to recent researchs, it could be of Scandinavian origin. The first element Carte- could represent Old Norse kart "place with pebbles or stones" and the second -ret, ON reidh "anchorage", "moorings".
History
The first male of English parents born in the current area of North Carolina was John Fulford. He was born in 1629 in what is now Carteret County, North Carolina. He settled in this area and died in 1729. An article dated Sept. 18, 1893, in The New Bern Daily Journal, identified Fulford's grave in a cemetery outside Beaufort, NC, in an area called the Straits, “bricked up with English brick.” In 1971 a survey by the Carteret County Historical Society found such a grave in the Fulford Cemetery off Piper Lane in Gloucester. No signs of it remain today.Law and government
Carteret County is a member of the regional Eastern Carolina Council of GovernmentsEastern Carolina Council of Governments
The Eastern Carolina Council of Governments is one of the 17 regional North Carolina Councils of Governments established by the North Carolina General Assembly for the purpose of regional planning and administration. Headquartered in New Bern, North Carolina, it serves Onslow, Duplin, Wayne,...
.
A voting machine malfunction in the county resulted in the loss of 4,438 ballots cast during early voting for the November 2, 2004 general election. Since the number of lost ballots exceeded the lead held (by Steve Troxler
Steve Troxler
Steve Troxler is a tobacco farmer and the Republican Commissioner of Agriculture for the U.S. state of North Carolina, sworn in February 8, 2005 after an extended election dispute following the November 2004 statewide election....
over Britt Cobb
Britt Cobb
W. Britt Cobb, Jr. is the chief of staff for North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue and the former Secretary of Administration ....
) in the statewide race for agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
commissioner, the State Board of Elections decided to hold a special election on January 11, 2005, open only to the 18,500 voters in the county who either failed to vote or whose votes were lost. Both candidates filed legal challenges contesting the format of the new election. On February 4, 2005, Cobb conceded the race.
Military
Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field BogueMarine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue
Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue , also known as Bogue Field, is an landing field located on Bogue Sound that serves as the Marine Corps’ only East Coast site for Field Carrier Landing Practice...
is located in the western section of Carteret County along Bouge Sound. It comprises an 875 acres (3.5 km²) landing field located on Bogue Sound that serves as the Marine Corps’ only East Coast site for Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP).
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 1341 square miles (3,473.2 km²), of which 520 square miles (1,346.8 km²) is land and 821 square miles (2,126.4 km²) (61.22%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Craven CountyCraven County, North CarolinaCraven County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The estimated population in 2006 was 94,875. Its county seat is New Bern.Craven County is part of the New Bern, North Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
and Pamlico CountyPamlico County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,934 people, 5,178 households, and 3,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 6,781 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
(north) - Hyde CountyHyde County, North Carolina-National protected areas:* Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge * Cape Hatteras National Seashore * Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge* Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge * Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:...
(northeast) - Onslow CountyOnslow County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 150,355 people, 48,122 households, and 36,572 families residing in the county. The population density was 196 people per square mile . There were 55,726 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile...
(west-southwest) - Jones CountyJones County, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 10,381 people, 4,061 households, and 2,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 4,679 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile...
(west-northwest)
National protected areaProtected areaProtected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
s
- Cape Lookout National SeashoreCape Lookout National SeashoreCape Lookout National Seashore preserves a 56-mile long section of the Southern Outer Banks, or Crystal Coast, of North Carolina, USA, running from Ocracoke Inlet on the northeast to Beaufort Inlet on the southeast. Three undeveloped barrier islands make up the seashore - North Core Banks, South...
- Cedar Island National Wildlife RefugeCedar Island National Wildlife RefugeCedar Island National Wildlife Refuge, located in Carteret County, North Carolina, is on the end of a peninsula marking the southern end of Pamlico Sound. The refuge lies five miles east of the Atlantic Ocean and about northeast of Beaufort, North Carolina...
- Croatan National ForestCroatan National ForestThe Croatan National Forest is a U.S. National Forest, was established on July 29, 1936, and is located on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture...
(part)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 59,383 people, 25,204 households, and 17,365 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 114 people per square mile (44/km²). There were 40,947 housing units at an average density of 79 per square mile (30/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.28% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 6.99% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.54% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.43% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.60% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 25,204 households out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the county the population was spread out with 20.70% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 28.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in Carteret County in 2009 was $49,711, and the median income for a family was $45,499. Males had a median income of $31,365 versus $22,126 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $21,260. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Atlantic BeachAtlantic Beach, North Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2008, there were 1,815 people, 971 households, and 498 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 4,728 housing units at an average density of 2,206.0 per square mile...
- BeaufortBeaufort, North CarolinaBeaufort is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Established in 1709, it is the third-oldest town in North Carolina.The population was 4,189 at the 2008 census and it is the county seat of Carteret County...
- BogueBogue, North CarolinaBogue is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 577 in 2008.-Geography:Bogue is located at ....
- Cape CarteretCape Carteret, North CarolinaCape Carteret is a town in Carteret County, on the southern coast of North Carolina in the United States. It was incorporated in 1959 and had a population of 1,389 in 2008.-Geography:Cape Carteret is located at ....
- Cedar PointCedar Point, North CarolinaCedar Point is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 988 in 2007.-Geography:Cedar Point is located at ....
- Emerald IsleEmerald Isle, North CarolinaEmerald Isle is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Crystal Coast and is located entirely on the Bogue Banks...
- Indian BeachIndian Beach, North CarolinaIndian Beach is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 93 in 2009.-Geography:Indian Beach is located at ....
- Morehead CityMorehead City, North CarolinaMorehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
- NewportNewport, North CarolinaNewport is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,349 at the 2000 census.-History:Newport was officially chartered in 1866. Although the crossroads community on the Newport River was known by that name decades earlier, the area was also known as Bell's Corner...
- PeletierPeletier, North CarolinaPeletier is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 487 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Peletier is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...
- Pine Knoll ShoresPine Knoll Shores, North CarolinaPine Knoll Shores is a town in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,547 at the 2008 census. One of North Carolina's state aquariums is located here.-Geography:Pine Knoll Shores is located at ....
Unincorporated communities
- AtlanticAtlantic, North CarolinaAtlantic is an unincorporated community in eastern Carteret County situated along the Core Sound, located in what was known to early settlers of the area as Hunting Quarters. It is the location of US 70's eastern terminus and the ferry terminal for journeys to North Core Banks in the Cape Lookout...
- Bettie
- Broad CreekBroad Creek, North CarolinaThe Broad Creek area of Carteret County, North Carolina is part of the greater Newport, North Carolina area. It currently shares the Newport zip code of 28570.- Housing developments :...
- Cedar IslandCedar Island, North CarolinaCedar Island is an island and a small coastal unincorporated community in eastern North Carolina and some folks believe that the area has a connection to the Roanoke Lost Colony of the late 16th century. Cedar Island is located in Carteret County and was populated with local Native Americans prior...
- Davis
- Gales CreekGales Creek, North CarolinaThe Gales Creek area of Carteret County, North Carolina is part of the greater Newport, North Carolina area.Gales Creek empties into Bogue Sound, which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by Bogue Banks, part of North Carolina's barrier islands known as the Southern Outer Banks.A Presbyterian...
- Gloucester
- Harkers IslandHarkers Island, North CarolinaHarkers Island is a census-designated place in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population of Harkers Island was 1,623 at the 2007 census. Harkers Island is unincorporated and receives most public services, including law enforcement and public education, from Carteret County....
- Harlowe
- Lola
- Marshallberg
- MerrimonMerrimon, North CarolinaMerrimon is an unincorporated community in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States, about away from Beaufort. It is home to the Jonaquins Landing and Sand Hills housing developments. There is a gas station and mini mart that has new ownership. The only access to the Merrimon area is by...
- Mill Creek
- North River
- Ocean
- OtwayOtway, North CarolinaOtway is a small town located in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Currently Otway holds a population of 413 residents. It is currently the only city that is incorporated and is the most economical area of the region of Down East, North Carolina. The Governor of Otway is Republican...
- Salter PathSalter Path, North CarolinaSalter Path is an unincorporated community in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. A Crystal Coast community, it lies on Bogue Banks between the towns of Emerald Isle and Indian Beach.-History:...
- Sea Gate
- Sea LevelSea Level, North CarolinaSea Level is an unincorporated community in northeastern Carteret County, North Carolina. It rests on the banks of the Core Sound and has a population of roughly 450. It is located in what was known to early settlers as Hunting Quarters. Sea Level has one of the lowest elevations in North Carolina;...
- Stacy
- StellaStella, North CarolinaStella is an unincorporated community in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States.-External links:...
- Straits
- Smyrna
- WildwoodWildwood, North CarolinaWildwood, North Carolina is a small unincorporated community centered on the Wildwood Road, just west of the Morehead City, North Carolina town limits along US Highway 70, in Carteret County, NC...
- Williston
- Wiregrass