Gates County, North Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Gates County
state = North Carolina




map size = 250
founded = 1779
seat = Gatesville | area_total_sq_mi =346
area_water_sq_mi =5
area percentage = 1.45%
census yr = 2000
pop = 10516
density_km2 =12
web =
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Gates County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 10,516. Its county seat is GatesvilleGR|6.

History

The county was formed in 1779 from parts of Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans County. It was named for General Horatio Gates, who had commanded the victorious American forces at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777.

Law and government

Gates County is a member of the Albemarle Commission regional council of governments.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 346 square miles (895 km²), of which, 341 square miles (882 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (13 km²) of it (1.45%) is water.

Townships

The county is divided into eight townships: Gatesville, Hall, Haslett, Holly Grove, Hunters Mill, Mintonsville, Reynoldson and Sunbury.

Adjacent Counties and Independent Cities

*Suffolk, Virginia - north
*Camden County, North Carolina - northeast
*Pasquotank County, North Carolina - east
*Perquimans County, North Carolina - southeast
*Chowan County, North Carolina - south
*Hertford County, North Carolina - west
*Southampton County, Virginia - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 10,516 people, 3,901 households, and 2,933 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 4,389 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 59.08% White, 39.18% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,901 households out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 13.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.70% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,647, and the median income for a family was $41,511. Males had a median income of $32,227 versus $21,014 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,963. About 14.50% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 26.20% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Gatesville
*Selwin

References