Beaufort County, North Carolina

Beaufort County
Beaufort County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°29′N 76°50′W / 35.48°N 76.84°W / 35.48; -76.84
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1712
Named afterHenry, Duke of Beaufort
SeatWashington
Largest communityWashington
Area
  Total
962.85 sq mi (2,493.8 km2)
  Land832.74 sq mi (2,156.8 km2)
  Water130.11 sq mi (337.0 km2)  13.51%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
44,652
  Estimate 
(2023)
44,481
  Density53.62/sq mi (20.70/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.beaufort.nc.us

Beaufort County (/ˈbfərt/ BOH-fərt) is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 44,652. Its county seat is Washington. The county was founded in 1705 as Pamptecough Precinct. Originally included in Bath County, it was renamed Beaufort Precinct in 1712 and became Beaufort County in 1739.

Beaufort County comprises the Washington, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Greenville-Washington, NC Combined Statistical Area.