Martin County is a county in North Carolina, United States, in the northeastern part of the state, along the Roanoke River. It had a population of 22,031 at the 2020 census and covers 456.70 square miles (1,182.7 km2), centred near 35°51′N 77°07′W.
Williamston is the county seat, and its postal code is 27892. The county has nine incorporated towns and about a dozen unincorporated communities and crossroads. It observes Eastern Time and carries FIPS code 37117.
Towns & Villages in Martin County
Martin County has 20 named places on record: nine incorporated towns, led by the seat, Williamston, and eleven unincorporated communities and rural crossroads. “Unincorp.” below means the place has no town government of its own.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamston | Town · seat | 5,248 | 27892 |
| Robersonville | Town | — | 27871 |
| Jamesville | Town | — | 27846 |
| Oak City | Town | — | 27857 |
| Hamilton | Town | — | 27840 |
| Parmele | Town | — | 27861 |
| Everetts | Town | — | 27825 |
| Hassell | Town | — | 27841 |
| Bear Grass | Town | — | — |
| Ballard | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Church Crossroads | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Conoho | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Coreys Crossroads | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dardens | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Farmlife | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Gold Point | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Mount Pilgrim | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pierce MH Estates | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Smithwick | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Woodland Acres | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 27892 — Williamston (also serves Bear Grass)
- 27871 — Robersonville
- 27846 — Jamesville
- 27857 — Oak City
- 27840 — Hamilton
- 27861 — Parmele
- 27825 — Everetts
- 27841 — Hassell
Eight ZIP codes cover the county. The rural crossroads communities — Ballard, Church Crossroads, Conoho, Coreys Crossroads, Dardens, Farmlife, Gold Point, Mount Pilgrim, Pierce MH Estates, Smithwick and Woodland Acres — use the ZIP code of the nearest incorporated town rather than a code of their own.
Geography
Martin County sits on the Coastal Plain of eastern North Carolina. The Roanoke River forms most of the county’s northern boundary before it empties into Albemarle Sound, and the smaller Conoho, Gardners and Reedy Fork creeks drain the interior. The land is flat to gently rolling, with farmland, pine plantation and bottomland hardwood swamp along the river; just 0.29 square miles (0.75 km2) of the county is water.
Martin County borders Halifax County to the northwest, Bertie County to the northeast, Washington County to the east, Beaufort County to the southeast, Pitt County to the southwest, and Edgecombe County to the west.
Demographics
The county’s population was 22,031 at the 2020 census, down from earlier decades as young residents have left the rural county for jobs elsewhere in the state. Williamston and Robersonville are the two largest communities. Population density works out to roughly 48 people per square mile of land. Martin County’s median household income runs well below the North Carolina median of $70,804, reflecting the county’s agricultural, lower-wage economic base.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors the county’s economy — soybeans, corn, cotton and tobacco are the leading row crops, alongside forestry on the extensive pine acreage. Williamston is home to Martin General Hospital and Martin Community College, which runs a noted equine health program. The town’s Senator Bob Martin Agricultural Center hosts horse shows, rodeos and livestock events through the year. The Roanoke River has long supported a herring fishery, and river-based recreation — fishing, boating and paddling — remains part of local life.
History
Martin County was formed in 1774 from the southeastern part of Halifax County and the western part of Tyrrell County. It was named for Josiah Martin, the last royal governor of North Carolina (1771–1775), even though the county itself was created by the colonial assembly rather than the crown. Williamston, laid out a few years later and named for local Revolutionary War militia commander William Williams, grew up as a river landing and became the county’s trading center, a role it has kept ever since.
Getting There
US 64 crosses Martin County east–west through Williamston and Robersonville, and NC 125 and NC 903 connect the smaller towns north and south of it.
- Greenville, NC — 30 miles southwest
- Washington, NC — 20 miles southeast
- Rocky Mount, NC — 45 miles west
- Raleigh, NC — 110 miles west
The nearest commercial airport is Pitt-Greenville Airport (PGV) in Greenville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Martin County, North Carolina?
It is in the northeastern part of the state, on the Coastal Plain along the Roanoke River, between Greenville and the Albemarle Sound region.
What is the population of Martin County?
22,031 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Martin County?
456.70 square miles (1,182.7 km2), of which 456.41 square miles is land.
What is the county seat of Martin County?
Williamston, the county’s largest town, is the county seat.
How many towns are in Martin County?
Nine incorporated towns: Williamston, Bear Grass, Everetts, Hamilton, Hassell, Jamesville, Oak City, Parmele and Robersonville.
What ZIP codes are in Martin County?
Eight ZIP codes serve the county, headed by 27892 (Williamston), 27871 (Robersonville) and 27846 (Jamesville).
What is Martin County known for?
Its Roanoke River herring fishery, its farmland, and Martin Community College’s equine health program in Williamston.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in North Carolina.