Gates County is a county located in the U.S. State of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population is 10,516. Its county seat is Gatesville6.

Table of contents
1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Cities and towns

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.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 895 km² (346 mi²). 882 km² (341 mi²) of it is land and 13 km² (5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.45% water.

Townships

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

Adjacent Counties and Independent Cities

Demographics

As of the
census2 of 2000, there are 10,516 people, 3,901 households, and 2,933 families residing in the county. The population density is 12/km² (31/mi²). There are 4,389 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (13/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 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 are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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

In the county the population is 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $35,647, and the median income for a family is $41,511. Males have a median income of $32,227 versus $21,014 for females. The per capita income for the county is $15,963. 17.00% of the population and 14.50% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.90% are under the age of 18 and 26.20% are 65 or older.

Cities and towns

See also: List of North Carolina counties