Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Elizabeth City is a city in Pasquotank and Camden counties, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 18,629. Elizabeth City is the county seat and most populous city of Pasquotank County. It is the cultural, economic and educational hub of the sixteen-county Historic Albemarle region of northeastern North Carolina.
Elizabeth City, North Carolina | |
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Elizabeth City facing the Pasquotank River | |
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Flag Seal | |
| Nickname(s): Harbor of Hospitality, Best City in the 252, Betsy City, E.C., Queen of the Albemarle, River City | |
Location in Pasquotank County in the state of North Carolina | |
| Coordinates: 36°17′39″N 76°14′16″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Counties | Pasquotank, Camden |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Edward Kirk Rivers |
| Area | |
| • City | 11.71 sq mi (30.32 km2) |
| • Land | 11.71 sq mi (30.32 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • City | 18,631 |
| • Density | 1,591.58/sq mi (614.50/km2) |
| • Metro | 63,270 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 27906, 27907, 27909 |
| Area code | 252 |
| FIPS code | 37-20580 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403551 |
| Website | www |
Elizabeth City is the center of the Elizabeth City Micropolitan Statistical Area, with a population of 64,094 as of 2010. It is part of the larger Virginia Beach-Norfolk, VA-NC Combined Statistical Area. The city is the economic center of the region, as well as home to many historic sites and cultural traditions.
Marketed as the "Harbor of Hospitality", Elizabeth City has had a long history of shipping due to its location at a narrowed bend of the Pasquotank River. Founded in 1794, Elizabeth City prospered early on from the Dismal Swamp Canal as a mercantile city. Later it developed industry and other commercial focus. While Elizabeth City still retains extensive waterfront property, it is linked to neighboring counties and cities by contemporary highways and bridges to support other transportation. It hosts one of the largest United States Coast Guard bases in the nation.