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2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Cities and towns 5 External links |
History
The county was formed in 1741 from Bertie County. It was named for Richard Edgcumbe, a Member of Parliament from 1701 to 1742 and a lord of the treasury, who became 1st Baron Edgcumbe in 1742.
In 1746 part of Edgecombe County became Granville County; in 1758 another part became Halifax County; in 1777 yet another part became Nash County. In 1855 the formation of Wilson County from parts of Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash County, and Wayne County reduced Edgecombe to its present dimensions, aside from minor boundary adjustments.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,312 km² (507 mi²). 1,308 km² (505 mi²) of it is land and 4 km² (2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.31% water.
Townships
The county is divided into fourteen townships, which are both numbered and named: 1 (Tarboro), 2 (Lower Conetoe), 3 (Upper Conetoe), 4 (Deep Creek), 5 (Lower Fishing Creek), 6 (Upper Fishing Creek), 7 (Swift Creek), 8 (Sparta), 9 (Otter Creek), 10 (Lower Town Creek), 11 (Walnut Creek), 12 (Rocky Mount), 13 (Cokey), and 14 (Upper Town Creek).
Adjacent Counties
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 55,606 people, 20,392 households, and 14,804 families residing in the county. The population density is 43/km² (110/mi²). There are 24,002 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (48/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 40.06% White, 57.46% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.79% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 20,392 households out of which 32.80% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.20% are married couples living together, 21.50% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% are non-families. 24.00% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the county the population is spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 86.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 80.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $30,983, and the median income for a family is $35,902. Males have a median income of $27,300 versus $21,649 for females. The per capita income for the county is $14,435. 19.60% of the population and 16.00% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 27.50% are under the age of 18 and 18.40% are 65 or older.
Cities and towns
External links
See also: List of North Carolina counties