Currituck was formed as early as 1668 as a precinct of Albemarle County. The name is "traditionally said to be an Indian word for wild geese; Coratank." It is in the northeastern section of the State and is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Currituck Sound, Camden County, Dare County and the state of Virginia. The present land area is 261.7 square miles (678 km) and the 2000 population was 18,190. Currituck Court House, mentioned as early as 1755, was the name of the county seat. Today the words "Court House" have been dropped and only Currituck is used as the town name.
Currituck is the 72nd fastest growing county in the United States according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Currituck County is one of only two counties (the other being Camden) in North Carolina that has no incorporated towns or Cities.
As of the census of 2000, there were 18,190 people, 6,902 households, and 5,204 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 10,687 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile (16/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.41% White, 7.25% Black or African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 1.43% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
There were 6,902 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.60% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.60% were non-families. 19.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 2.98.
The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,822, and the median income for a family was $46,382. Males had a median income of $32,619 versus $22,641 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,908. 10.70% of the population and 8.90% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 16.10% are under the age of 18 and 8.90% are 65 or older.