This mostly rural county depended on the agricultural economy well into the 20th century.

In the colonial and antebellum eras, tobacco and cotton were the chief commodity crops, worked by Indian and African slaves.

After the Civil War, agriculture continued to be important to the county.

In the 21st century, developers have referred to it as being within the Inner Banks region, which is increasingly attracting retirees and buyers of second homes, because of its beaches and landscapes.

27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Bertie County is a member of the Mid-East Commission regional council of governments.

The 2024 presidential election marked the strongest showing for a Republican candidate in Bertie County since 1984, with Donald Trump winning nearly 42 percent of the county vote.

Notable schools in Bertie county include Bertie High School, Lawrence Academy, and Bethel Assembly Christian Academy.

[20] The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Bertie County.