County · North Carolina
Hertford County, North Carolina
Hertford County, North Carolina. Hertford County had 19,015 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 11.8% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. It holds 6 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 37091.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,015
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,552 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,908
Median household income
$45,537
±$2,991 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$119,200
±$7,140 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$844
±$36 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Hertford County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,552 residents in Hertford County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,015 for July 1, 2025, down 11.8% since 2020, while North Carolina grew 7.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,908 over 353 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hertford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,908 | 10,730,404 | −4,104 |
| Households | 8,285±224 | 4,282,345 | −560 |
| Average household size | 2.20±0.06 | 2.44 | −0.26 |
| Housing units | 9,816±58 | 4,895,668 | −844 |
Hertford County's population since 2000
From 22,601 in 2000 to 19,015 in 2025: down 15.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Hertford County?
Hertford County holds 6 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Ahoskie with 4,608 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Ahoskie | 4,891 | $40,987 |
|---|---|---|
| Murfreesboro | 2,619 | $39,914 |
| Winton | 629 | $48,036 |
| Cofield | 267 | $41,250 |
| HarrellsvilleGEOID 3729720 | 85 | $70,089 |
| ComoGEOID 3714060 | 67 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Hertford County?
The median resident of Hertford County is 42.6 years old; 19.3% are under 18 and 22.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 55.6%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 32.2%. 4.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hertford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±0.7 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.3%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.8%±0.4 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.4% | 11.3% | +2.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 32.2%±0.3 pts | 60.0% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 55.6%±0.8 pts | 20.0% | −3.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6%±0.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.0%±1.0 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.9%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.3%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 20.0%±1.7 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.6%±1.7 pts | 9.9% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.1%±2.3 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.6%±1.9 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.4%±1.2 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Hertford County earn?
Half of Hertford County's 8,285 households earn less than $45,537 a year (±$2,991), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,493 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $4,956 after inflation. 22.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hertford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,537±$2,991 | $72,388 | −$4,956 |
| Mean household income | $68,190±$5,151 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,886±$2,116 | $41,385 | +$4,126 |
| People below the poverty line | 22.9%±2.8 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.4%±6.5 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.8%±3.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.8%±2.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Hertford County?
Owners occupy 67.4% of Hertford County's occupied homes and renters 32.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $119,200 by its owner (±$7,140). The median renter pays $844 a month including utilities, and 56.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hertford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $119,200±$7,140 | $288,900 | +$10,161 |
| Median gross rent | $844±$36 | $1,228 | −$86 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 56.1%±6.6 pts | 39.6% | +13.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,285±$98 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.4%±3.0 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,816±58 | 4,895,668 | −844 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.7%±3.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.0%±3.1 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.7%±2.8 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.7%±1.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Hertford County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Hertford County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Hertford County get to work?
78.9% of Hertford County's workers drive alone and 4.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.
| Measure | Hertford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.3%±1.7 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.0%±1.4 pts | 4.7% | −3.2 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.9%±3.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.5%±2.6 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2%±1.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.3%±1.4 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.5 min±1.8 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Hertford County's census tracts?
Hertford County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,801 (Tract 9504.01) to $58,894 (Tract 9502.01).
| Tract 9501.0137091950101 | 3,557±314 | $52,333 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0237091950102 | 2,878±401 | $32,257 |
| Tract 9502.0137091950201 | 2,274±295 | $58,894 |
| Tract 9502.0237091950202 | 1,729±253 | $52,578 |
| Tract 950337091950300 | 2,208±391 | $51,875 |
| Tract 9504.0137091950401 | 3,393±297 | $38,801 |
| Tract 9504.0237091950402 | 3,576±255 | $44,292 |
| Tract 980037091980000 | 293±42 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hertford County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 80th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 100th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 75th of 100 |
| Median household income | 94th of 100 |
| Median home value | 93rd of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 63rd of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 87th of 100 |
| Median age | 50th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Hertford County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.