National protected area

• Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (part)

State and local protected areas

• Dismal Swamp State Park
• North River Game Land (part)

Major water bodies

• Albemarle Sound
• Intracoastal Waterway
• North River
• Pasquotank River

Adjacent counties

• City of Suffolk, Virginia – north
• City of Chesapeake, Virginia – north
• Gates County – northwest
• Currituck County – east
• Tyrrell County – south
• Pasquotank County – southwest

Major highways

• 
  Future I-87
• US 17
• 
  US 17 Bus.
• US 158
• NC 34
• NC 343

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 10,355 people, 3,933 households, and 3,154 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census,^[14] there were 9,980 people, 2,662 households, and 2,023 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km²). There were 2,973 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.1% White, 13.2% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. 2.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,662 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,493, and the median income for a family was $45,387. Males had a median income of $36,274 versus $24,875 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,681. 10.10% of the population and 7.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 12.60% are under the age of 18 and 20.30% are 65 or older.

City

• Elizabeth City (mostly in Pasquotank County)

Census-designated places

• Camden (county seat and largest community)
• South Mills

Unincorporated communities

• Black Swamp
• Old Trap
• Shiloh

Townships

• Courthouse
• Shiloh
• South Mills