Beaufort County

Beaufort County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 44,958. Its county seat is Washington. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 959 square miles (2,483.8 km), of which 828 square miles (2,144.5 km) is land and 131 square miles (339.3 km) (13.64%) is water. Beaufort County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments. Beaufort County is one of the proposed sites for a Navy outlying landing field. This practice airfield would allow pilots to simulate landings on an aircraft carrier. Construction, which has not yet begun, is controversial due to its potential ecological impact. As of the census of 2000, there were 44,958 people,...