HERTFORD COUNTY, NC

County Offices
115 Justice Drive
Winton 252-358-7805
www.hertfordcountync.gov

Chamber of Commerce
310 Catherine Creek Road South
Ahoskie 252-332-2042
www.ahoskiechamber.net

Rural Hertford County is nestled in the northeastern region of North Carolina in the picturesque area known as the Inner Banks. The northern boundary is the Virginia state line and the county is only 55 miles southwest of Norfolk in the Hampton Roads region. Elizabeth City is the hub of the metropolitan region, providing urban amenities from entertainment centers to cultural enrichment.

Services
Newcomers will find quality educational opportunities close to home in Hertford County, where the largest town of Ahoskie is home to Roanoke Chowan Community College. R-CCC blends a strong tradition of service the community with first-rate programs for students of all ages. In addition to strong support for business and industry, the college maintains a Small Business Center that supports entrepreneurial activity. Students can choose from college-track degree programs or two-year degree and certifications. Ahoskie is also home of Shaw University Cape Center, while Murfreesboro offers the beautiful campus of the highly respected private Chowan University. This Baptist-affiliated institution provides programs in the liberal arts and humanities as well as the sciences, mathematics, fine arts, business, criminal justice and computer programming.

State-of-the-art healthcare services and facilities are anchored by Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, a 114-bed, not-for-profit hospital in Ahoskie that provides a wide range of specialized services to patients in a four-county region. The hospital is part of the well-respected University Health Systems, affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. This far-reaching system serves 29 counties in northeastern North Carolina with major medical centers, community hospitals, physician practices, home health, and independently operated health services. Hertford County patients have the advantage of a serene rural environment but also easy access to advanced treatment through facilities and clinics in other locations.

Lifestyle
Hertford County draws newcomers to a lifestyle that is difficult to rival. Friendly new neighbors, charming historic towns, first-rate services, Southern hospitality, and access to world-class recreational opportunities are just a few of the headliners. The cost of living is surprisingly low in spite of the outstanding quality of life. Local recreational highlights range from well-groomed golf courses to the peaceful and picturesque Chowan and Meherrin rivers. A public goat landing outside of Murfreesboro provides access to the Meherrin River, which flows into the larger Chowan River for world-class fishing and boating. Hiking, cycling, horseback riding, camping, water sports, tennis and racquetball, and local sports leagues are all common pastimes. Close proximity to one of the nation’s premier vacation destinations, North Carolina’s Outer Banks, ensures a quick trip to sun-drenched days on the beach and starlit nights where gentle waves reflect the glistening moon.

Those who appreciate historic preservation will enjoy touring historic Murfreesboro as well as any number of local, regional, state, and even national historic sites in the surrounding region. Murfreesboro also hosts a variety of musical groups at the auditorium adjacent to the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum. Gallery Theatre in Ahoskie presents a full line-up of local and visiting talent along with family programs and visual art displays. Nearby Elizabeth City and other regional urban centers add a wealth of cultural enrichment, from national talent to celebrated permanent companies for the arts. One of the delights of life in Hertford County is the calendar of special events, including the annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival, the annual Roanoke-Chowan Pork-Fest Barbecue competition, and the dazzling Fourth of July fireworks display. Each holiday season, the candlelight tour of historic homes is complemented by a Christmas parade that features local business and churches. Shoppers will enjoy browsing through downtown Murfreesboro or visiting regional malls. Add the crowning glory of tree-lined neighborhoods and a wide range of housing options including acreage for custom builds or country manors, and you begin to understand the undeniable attraction of Hertford County.

 

COMMUNITY PROFILES

Ahoskie
Town Offices
252-332-5146
www.ahoskienc.gov

Chamber of Commerce
252-332-2042
www.ahoskiechamber.net

Centered between Norfolk, Virginia, to the north and Greenville, North Carolina, to the south, the friendly town of Ahoskie is the largest in Hertford County. Ahoskie serves as the bustling hub of retail activity and healthcare for county residents, and the main campus of Roanoke-Chowan Community College is only four miles away. Cultural enrichment is underlined by the Gallery Theatre, a showcase of live entertainment that includes family and children’s programming. The theatre also maintains an art gallery. Other highlights in the community include a private swimming pool and a private country club that offers swimming, tennis, golf, picnics, dances, and dinners. The Tuscarora Green Golf & Country Club adds an 18-hole golf course that is open to the public. The municipal recreation center anchors a wide range of league programs and sports facilities from courts and fields to a new community playground and picnic area. The nearby Chowan River also provides miles of recreational streams that are surrounded by acres of scenic forests.

 

Murfreesboro
Town Offices
252-398-5904
www.townofmurfreesboro.com

Chamber of Commerce
252-398-4886
www.townofmurfreesboro.com

Home to the private college of Chowan University, the town of Murfreesboro is steeped in historic charm. Many significant properties that date back as far as the 1700s are either owned by the Murfreesboro Historical Association or still serve as treasured private residences. Brick sidewalks invite residents and visitors to enjoy the unique ambiance of this welcoming small town. A number of museums add to the historic attractions and preserve a remarkable variety of collections. The crown jewel of these venues is the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum, displaying hundreds of items from the late 19th and early 20th century. Live musical entertainment at the auditorium and easy access to river recreation at the public boat launch are other highlights.  Once an active port town, Murfreesboro now serves as a wonderful hometown for local residents and a glimpse into the past for tourists. One attraction combines a bed and breakfast, a wine bistro and a florist and wine shop in an historical home. Two of the county’s most popular events, the North Carolina Watermelon Festival and the Roanoke-Chowan Pork-Fest Barbecue are held in Murfreesboro.