Beaufort County

Beaufort County has 88,000 acres of water, which is probably a good explanation why many of its municipalities have waterfronts.

In years past, those waterfronts were hubs of trade, with ships coming in to drop off goods and pick up items such as naval stores, lumber, agricultural products and items "harvested" by commercial fishermen. Although those towns retain some of their commercial-fishing history, their waterfronts have become more recreational - and in some cases, residential - in nature.

Home to seven municipalities - Aurora, Bath, Belhaven, Chocowinity, Pantego, Washington (the county seat) and Washington Park - Beaufort County turned 300 years old in 2012.

Beaufort County Community College, known for one of the best nursing programs in the state, has a new, state-of-the-art Katie G. Paul Nursing and Allied Health Building to help train nurses and other health-care professionals. Those nurses help staff the county's top-notch hospitals - Vidant Beaufort Hospital and Vidant Pungo Hospital - medical offices and related fields.

About the City of Washington

History

Washington's rich history adds to the character of the community. The settlement of Washington was laid out in 1775 on the northern bank of the Pamlico/Tar River by Colonel James Bonner and named in honor of General George Washington, his commander-in-chief. The City was incorporated by an act of the North Carolina General Assembly in 1782. It became the county seat of Beaufort County in 1785, an honor previously held by the Town of Bath, North Carolina's oldest town, located 15 miles east.

There are numerous towns named Washington in the United States, but Washington, NC, is the first to have been named for General Washington (prior to his being named our nation's first president). Therefore, Washington, NC, is "The Original Washington."

Because of Washington's strategic location at the junction of coastal and inland rivers, the town developed as a regional shipping center and was recognized as a port in 1784. Washington also was a federal supply outpost during the Revolutionary War.

Washington has rebuilt after devastating fires destroyed all but a few of the City's antebellum structures. The construction that followed the second major fire in 1900 (the first burning was during the War Between the States) produced a concentration of Victorian era homes and commercial buildings in the area now designated as the Washington Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest commercial and residential historic districts in North Carolina. More history

Location

Washington is located on the Pamlico and Tar rivers in the inland coastal region of North Carolina at the intersection of US 17 and US 264, approximately 125 miles east of Raleigh.

Population Data

The NC Department of Administration revises population figures annually. The estimated population for Washington is 9,840 (Office of State Budget and Management). US Census data for Washington, NC, through 2010 is available.

Climate

Washington has four distinct seasons with generally has mild winters and hot summers. Ice and snow are possible during the winter, but not frequent. Summerlike weather usually begins in May and extends into September. Summer days can be hot and humid, with frequent rain and thunderstorms. For more precise weather data, please visit the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, which offers historical weather data online for points across the country.

Property Taxes

In North Carolina both municipalities and counties can assess property taxes, and property inside municipalities is assessed both the municipality's and the county's property tax. In addition, unincorporated areas in Beaufort County, NC, may be part of fire and/or rescue districts, each with its own tax rates. There is no state property tax in North Carolina.

The City of Washington's current property tax rate is 53 cents per $100 valuation. Beaufort County's current property tax rate is 63.5 cents per $100 valuation. For district rates in specific areas please call the Beaufort County Tax Office at 252-946-2922.

Schools

Public pre-kindergarten through high school education is offered through the Beaufort County Schools. A charter school and parochial and non-parochial private schools also are available. The area also is served by Beaufort County Community College and East Carolina University. Visit our Links of Interest page to locate websites and more information about these organizations.

Medical

Washington is served by a diverse and thriving medical community revolving around Vidant Beaufort Hospital. Specialized medical care also is available 20 miles west in Greenville, through Vidant Health Systems. Links of Interest page to locate websites and more information about these organizations.

All-America City

Washington was named an All-America City in 1993 in recognition of the community's use of collaborative problem-solving involving a diverse variety of community groups and organizations.