National protected area

• Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (part)

State and local protected areas/sites

• Bachelor Bay Game Land (part)^[7]
• Lantern Acres Game Land (part)^[7]
• Latham House
• Pettigrew State Park (part)
• Somerset Place
• Van Swamp Game Lands (part)^[7]

Major water bodies

• Albemarle Sound
• Lake Phelps
• Pungo River
• Roanoke River

Adjacent counties

• Chowan County – north
• Perquimans County – northeast
• Tyrrell County – east
• Hyde County – southeast
• Beaufort County – southwest
• Martin County – west
• Bertie County – northwest

Major highways

• US 64
• NC 32
• NC 37
• NC 45
• NC 94
• NC 99
• NC 149
• NC 308

2010/2020 censuses

As of the 2020 census, there were 11,003 people, 4,977 households, and 2,655 families residing in the county.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[17] there were 13,723 people, 5,367 households, and 3,907 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile (15 people/km²). There were 6,174 housing units at an average density of 18 units per square mile (6.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 48.28% White, 48.94% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 2.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,367 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.10% were married couples living together, 18.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 25.00% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,865, and the median income for a family was $34,888. Males had a median income of $27,058 versus $19,477 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,994. About 17.60% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.50% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

Towns

• Creswell
• Plymouth (county seat and largest community)
• Roper

Townships

• Plymouth
• Lees Mill
• Scuppernong
• Skinnersville

Unincorporated communities

• Lake Phelps
• Mackeys
• Pea Ridge