Pamlico was formed in 1872 from Craven and Beaufort. It was named after the sound of the same name. Pamlico was the name of an Indian tribe in Eastern North Carolina. There was a Pamptecough Precinct in North Carolina as early as 1705, but it was changed to Beaufort about 1712. It is in the eastern section of the State and is bounded by Pamlico Sound, Neuse River and Craven and Beaufort counties. The present area is 336.74 square miles and the 1990 population was 11,372. Court was held at an old store in Vandimere until 1876. In that year, an act was passed authorizing the commissioners to submit to a vote of the people the question of moving the county seat from Vandimere to some other place.

Bayboro was made the county seat. It was incorporated in 1881.