Beaufort County

Beaufort County is a county in eastern North Carolina marked by expansive water systems and river valleys that flow through its landscape. The Pamlico River and connected waterways form natural corridors that link the various communities scattered throughout the territory.

The territory was established in 1705 and renamed in 1712 to honor an English nobleman. This early colonial period set the foundation for European settlement patterns that would shape the region for centuries.

The county maintains visible connections to Native American traditions and colonial-era settlements that still shape how communities look and function today. You can see this reflected in local place names, architectural styles, and how people relate to the waterways that define the region.

Washington serves as the main administrative hub where you can find government services and visitor information. The county's nine incorporated towns are spread across the region, giving visitors multiple entry points and local facilities to explore.

Bath stands as one of the region's oldest European settlements and displays early American construction and colonial-era buildings that have survived for centuries. This small town offers a window into how the first colonists built and lived during America's earliest years.

Location: North Carolina

Inception: December 3, 1705

Capital city: Washington

Shares border with: Washington County, Hyde County, Pamlico County, Craven County, Pitt County, Martin County

Website: https://co.beaufort.nc.us

GPS coordinates: 35.48000,-76.84000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:05