Chowan County, North Carolina

Chowan County, North Carolina
Chowan County Courthouse, Edenton
Seal
Location in the state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1668
Seat	Edenton
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	233 sq mi (603 km²) 173 sq mi (448 km²) 61 sq mi (158 km²), 26.00%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	14,793 54/sq mi (21/km²)
Website	www.chowancounty-nc.gov

Chowan County is one 100 counties located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. At 173 square miles, it is the smallest county by land area in North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 14,793. Its county seat is Edenton^[1].

History

The Bond House, Edenton, Chowan County, c. 1920

During the American Civil War, the Albemarle Artillery was recruited in 1862 from Chowan and Tyrrell men at Edenton by local attorney William Badham, Jr.. After cannon were recast from bronze donated as bells from local courthouses and churches to arm the battery, the unit was renamed the Edenton Bell Battery. They named their cannon: Columbia, St. Paul, Fannie Roulac, and Edenton. Two of the guns, long thought lost, have been returned to Edenton in recent years. The St. Paul and the Edenton now can be seen on display at Edenton's waterfront park.^[2] The county was named after the historical Chowanoc American Indian tribe, also called Chowan. ^{[3] [4]}

Churches

Chowan County is a deep rooted community of faith. Some of the churches in the community include:

• Edenton United Methodist Church
• Yeopim Baptist Church
• First Presbyterian Church of Edenton
• Edenton Baptist Church
• St. Anne Catholic Church
• St. Pauls Episcopal Church
• Providence Baptist Church

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 233 square miles (603.5 km²), of which 173 square miles (448.1 km²) is land and 61 square miles (158.0 km²) (26.00%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Gates County (north)
• Perquimans County (east)
• Washington County (south)
• Bertie County (west)
• Hertford County (northwest)

Law and government

Chowan County is a member of the Albemarle Commission regional council of government

Demographics

As of the census^[5] of 2010, there were 14,793 people, 5,580 households, and 4,006 families residing in the county. The population density was 84 people per square mile (32/km²). There were 6,443 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 62.0% White, 34.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. 3.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,580 households out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 15.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,928, and the median income for a family was $36,986. Males had a median income of $29,719 versus $19,826 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,027. About 13.70% of families and 17.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.50% of those under age 18 and 16.70% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Map of Chowan County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

• Edenton
• Rockyhock
• Selwin

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chowan County, North Carolina

References

1. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
2. ^ "Edenton Bell Battery". Edenton Historical Commission. http://www.edentonhistoricalcommission.org/history/bellbattery. Retrieved 9 July 2009. 
3. ^ "Chowan County Profile". Website. epodunk. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=19191. Retrieved 2010-02-19. 
4. ^ "Chowanoc Indian Tribe". Website. AccessGeneaology. http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/chowanoc/chowanochist.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-19. 
5. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 

Coordinates: 36°08′N 76°36′W / 36.13°N 76.60°W / 36.13; -76.60