Major water bodies

• Albemarle Sound
• Little River
• Perquimans River

Adjacent Counties

• Gates County – northwest
• Pasquotank County – east
• Tyrrell County – south
• Washington County – south
• Chowan County – southwest

Major highways

• 
  Future I-87
• US 17
• 
  US 17 Bus.
• NC 37

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 13,005 people, 5,936 households, and 4,023 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[13] there were 11,368 people, 4,645 households, and 3,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile (18 people/km²). There were 6,043 housing units at an average density of 24 units per square mile (9.3 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.82% White, 27.99% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 4,645 households, of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.

23.00% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.80% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 26.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 91.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.

The median household income was $29,538 and the median family income was $35,212. Males had a median income of $27,251 compared with $18,728 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,728. About 13.90% of families and 17.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.20% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over.

Towns

• Hertford (county seat and largest community)
• Winfall

Unincorporated communities

• Belvidere
• Woodville
• New Hope

Townships

• Belvidere
• Bethel
• Hertford
• New Hope
• Parkville