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Ayden, North Carolina

Ayden is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,977 at the 2020 census. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area of North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

Geography
Ayden has a total area of 3.84 square miles, all land.

History
In 1891, William Henry Harris asked the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to build a railroad depot on a portion of his farm in order to create a village. A 40 acre parcel of land was divided into residential lots surrounding the depot in "Harristown", with Harris owning every other lot. Within the next several years, lots were sold and homes built. Businesses began to open up to support the new residents, and on February 3, 1891, the town was incorporated as "Ayden." Within a few years, the Carolina Christian College and the Free Will Baptist Seminary were established. By 1919, Ayden had full-time electricity supplied by the Ayden municipal light plant. In 1922, the Mutual Building and Loan Association of Ayden was organized to help families obtain mortgages to build homes in Ayden.

After experiencing difficult times during the Great Depression, and after the Second World War, the town began to grow. To accommodate the growth, commercial, cultural, religious, and other establishments were opened within and around Ayden. The community is still growing today, due to the continued development of Greenville as an industrial and economic center for eastern North Carolina.

The Ayden Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,977 people, 2,160 households, and 1,230 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,622 people, 1,936 households, and 1,217 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,994.5 PD/sqmi. There were 2,067 housing units at an average density of 892.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 47.64% White, 49.52% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.32% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.

There were 1,936 households, out of which 7.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 12% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 20.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.6% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $24,004, and the median income for a family was $34,808. Males had a median income of $30,991 versus $22,305 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,505. About 21.0% of families and 26.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 34.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government structure
Ayden has used the council-manager form of government since 1957. Under this form of government, the Town Board of Commissioners is the final authority of most matters related to managing the government. The Town Board employs a Town Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Town. The Mayor and Town Board of Commissioners are the governing body of the Town. The Mayor acts as the official head of the government and spokesperson of the Board. The Mayor presides at all meeting of the Board and signs all documents authorized by the Board.

The Mayor Pro-Tem is selected by each new Board, and assumes all duties and responsibilities of the Mayor in his absence. The Mayor and Town Board, together, are responsible for establishing the policies for the general operation of the Town. The Town Board adopts ordinances, resolutions, budgets, authorizes contracts, and approves the financing of all Town operations. The Board also appoints the Town Manager and Town Attorney, along with members of various boards and commissions.

Education
Education in Ayden is administered by the Pitt County Public School System. The three schools located in Ayden include Ayden Elementary School, Ayden Middle School and Ayden-Grifton High School.

Higher education is provided by Pitt Community College, located between Ayden and Greenville. East Carolina University is located in downtown Greenville.

Local events
The Ayden Collard Festival is held the week immediately following Labor Day in September. The annual event started in 1975 and includes a Collard Queen contest which has been renamed as the Miss Ayden contest, sporting events, rides, live music, food, and a parade.

title: Ayden, North Carolina


text:
Bethel, North Carolina

Bethel is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,577 at the 2010 census. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. Confusingly, there are three other towns in the state named "Bethel." One is between Edenton and Hertford in the "Finger Counties" region in the northeastern corner of the state, another is in the north-central part, in Caswell County and the third is located in the Mountain Region of North Carolina, in Haywood County. There is also a community named Bethel located in Watauga County.

History
The area was settled before the American Civil War. The town of Bethel was incorporated in 1873, taking its name from Bethel Methodist Church.

Transportation
US 64, US 13, and NC 11 serves as the main routes through town. US 64 connects the town to Raleigh and the Inner Banks region. US 13 connects the town to Greenville, Fayettville, and the cites in eastern Virginia. NC 11 connects the town to Greenville and Kinston.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,373 people, 754 households, and 433 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,681 people, 651 households, and 449 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,606.8 PD/sqmi. There were 710 housing units at an average density of 678.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 40.15% White, 58.12% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 651 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 22.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,326, and the median income for a family was $35,278. Males had a median income of $25,982 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,219. About 18.5% of families and 22.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 24.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

 * North Pitt High School
 * Bethel Elementary School

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Bethel, North Carolina


text:
Falkland, North Carolina

Falkland is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 96 at the 2010 census, making it the least populous town in Pitt County. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

History
The Falkland Historic District, Spencer Harris House, and Dupree-Moore Farm are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 112 people, 39 households, and 26 families residing in the town. The population density was 453.7 PD/sqmi. There were 42 housing units at an average density of 170.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 68.75% White, 30.36% African American, 0.89% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.82% of the population.

There were 39 households, out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.9% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.37.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 37.5% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $43,750. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $14,107 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,997. There were 5.0% of families and 19.8% of the population living below the poverty line, including 21.4% of under eighteens and 35.7% of those over 64.

title: Falkland, North Carolina


text:
Farmville, North Carolina

Farmville is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States, eight miles to the west of Greenville. At the 2010 Census, the population was 4,654. Farmville is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region. Farmville has been a Tree City USA community through the Arbor Day Foundation for 36 years, proving its commitment to managing and expanding its public trees. The Town government, in cooperation with other non-profit groups that work for the advancement of the town, sponsor annual events such as the Farmville Dogwood Festival, the Christmas Parade, Independence Day Celebration, A Taste of Farmville, and the Holiday Open House, among others.

History
Established in February 1872, the town was named Farmville because all of its undertakings and activities were farm related. Among the influential founding fathers of Farmville, James Williams May and William Gray Lang made exceptional contributions to the towns development. Mr. James Williams May was a commissioner named in the original town charter. He donated sites for churches and was a business leader willing to invest his services and resources towards the success of the town. He was the grandson of Major Benjamin May. William Gray Lang served as a commissioner on the town board for more than 10 years. He also serviced on the executive committee appointed to establish the Tobacco Market in Farmville. The town grew slowly, with the 1880 census showing 111 in Farmville and 79 in Marlborough, a nearby unincorporated settlement along the wooden Historic Plank Road. The Marlborough settlement is now inside the town limits of Farmville. The cultivation of Tobacco in Pitt County and the Farmville area began in the 1890s, which helped bring the East Carolina Railway to Farmville in 1900. Most of buildings in downtown Farmville were built shortly after due to the economic boom the railroad helped begin. The Farmville Historic District and Benjamin May-Lewis House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.1 sqmi, all of it land.

Little Contentnea Creek, a tributary to Contentnea Creek, passes to the north of Farmville.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,461 people, 1,813 households, and 1,212 families residing in the town.

2014
As of the census of 2014, there were 5,012 people, 2,394 households, and 1,992 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,387.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,010 housing units at an average density of 648.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 47.37% White, 50.09% African American, 0.07% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 1.19% from other races, and 1.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.12% of the population.

There were 1,839 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 77.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,229, and the median income for a family was $38,918. Males had a median income of $31,543 versus $21,968 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,582. About 14.6% of families and 20.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.8% of those under age 18 and 23.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Farmville is served by the Pitt County Schools district. Local public schools include:
 * H. B. Sugg Elementary School (Previously K through 12) (Now Pre-K – 2nd)
 * Sam D. Bundy Elementary School (3rd −5th)
 * Farmville Middle School (6th – 8th)
 * Farmville Central High School (9th −12th)
 * Pitt Community College, Farmville Center-This satellite campus serves as the hub for educational, workforce, and business services in southwest Pitt County, and surrounding counties. Classes are credits are offered to high school and college students, as well as individuals wanting to improve their skills and knowledge in a specific field.
 * The Glass Station-Glass Blowing art studio, classroom, and workshop for East Carolina University's School of Art and Design

Sports, parks, and recreation
Farmville is home to many public parks owned by the Town of Farmville, as well as multiple parks and sports venues owned by the Pitt County Schools System. The parks on school property are also available to the public. The primary complex and park in Farmville is the Farmville Municipal Athletic Complex, operated by the town's Parks and Recreation Department. It is only a block behind city hall and has many facilities and activities available. The following is a brief list of sports, parks, and recreation opportunities in Farmville.

 * Farmville Municipal Athletic Complex: Full size football and soccer field, Babe Ruth Baseball Field, youth baseball and softball field, double tennis court with fiberglass backboard, many batting cages/nets, paved walking trail loop, children's playground, multi-use auxiliary play area/field, restrooms, picnic shelter, and ample parking opportunities.
 * JY Monk Park: Public Park with large playground for children and youth, with multiple playsets and swings. Large sheltered picnic area available for lease for parties (contact Farmville Parks and Recreation), brand new Farmville Splash Park with restroom facilities, new pickle ball court, new sand volleyball court, park Street Gymnasium available for public use at certain hours, large picnic tables in natural areas, and ample parking.
 * RT Monk Memorial Park: Public Park with large open play area, multiple playground structures, and picnic tables. Limited parking, but new roads and grassy area parking allow vehicle access.
 * Farmville Disc Golf Course and Walking Trails: Brand new Championship Disc Golf Course with 18 challenging holes alongside a public fishing pond and the Little Contentnea Creek. Greenway walking is also allowed here, but visitors walking the greenway areas are encouraged to beware of flying discs if not playing disc golf. Ample parking and wide open playing areas, with two tee options for the Disc Golf course.
 * Bennett Park and Playground: Large playground with multiple play structures, slides, and swings for children of all ages. This park also features two full size basketball courts with Championship goals. Plenty of street parking available.
 * Oliver Murphy Walking Park: This park features a paved walking trail in a figure 8 pattern. Over a dozen workout stations along the trail make this park a public outdoor gym available for use anytime. While no parking lot, there is plenty of street parking available. Across Dale Drive from this walking trail park are several acres of outdoor play area for children and families.
 * Farmville Golf and Country Club: Semi-Private Country Club founded in 1935 in Farmville. This 18 hole Golf Course has membership options, and allows non-members to play rounds of golf for a green fee and cart fee if applicable. The club also features a large swimming pool with pool only memberships available.

Notable people

 * Sam D. Bundy – Member, North Carolina General Assembly
 * Joseph Dixon – United States Congressman (1870–1871)
 * Roberta Flack – American singer, taught music in Farmville
 * Blenda Gay – Former NFL player, murdered in 1976
 * Walter B. Jones Sr. – United States Congressman (1967–1992)
 * Walter B. Jones Jr. – United States Congressman (1993–2019)
 * Elizabeth Schmoke Randolph (1917–2004), educator
 * Terquavion Smith (born 2002) - college basketball player for the NC State Wolfpack
 * Mike Sutton – Head Basketball Coach, Tennessee Technological University
 * Allen H. Turnage – General, United States Marine Corps
 * Edith D. Warren – Member, North Carolina General Assembly

title: Farmville, North Carolina


text:
Fountain, North Carolina

Fountain is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 427 at the 2010 census. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

History
The Robert J. Lang Jr. House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 533 people, 227 households, and 155 families residing in the town. The population density was 550.9 PD/sqmi. There were 246 housing units at an average density of 254.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 48.97% White, 50.47% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.19% from other races, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 227 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.0% were married couples living together, 25.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.3% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $17,656, and the median income for a family was $26,042. Males had a median income of $27,292 versus $19,643 for females. The per capita income for the town was $10,944. About 35.6% of families and 36.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.9% of those under age 18 and 30.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Fountain, North Carolina


text:
Greenville, North Carolina

Greenville (locally ) is the county seat and most populous city of Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. It is the principal city of the Greenville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the 12th-most populous city in North Carolina. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain. As of the 2020 census, there were 87,521 people in the city. The city has continued to see a population and economic boom with most of the growth being seen in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Many major companies have moved their regional, national, and international headquarters to Greenville. Companies include Grady-White Boats, Hyster-Yale Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Denso, among others. Greenville is the home of East Carolina University, the fourth-largest university in the University of North Carolina System, and ECU Health Medical Center, the flagship hospital for ECU Health and the teaching hospital for the Brody School of Medicine.

Founding
Greenville formed in 1771 as "Martinsborough," named after the Royal Governor Josiah Martin. In 1774 the town was moved to its present location on the south bank of the Tar River, 3 mi west of its original site. In 1786, the name was changed to Greenesville in honor of General Nathanael Greene, the American Revolutionary War hero. It was later shortened to Greenville.

19th century
During Greenville's early years, the Tar River was a navigable waterway, and by the 1860s there were several established steamboat lines transporting passengers and goods on the river. Cotton was the leading agricultural crop, and Greenville became a major cotton export center. Before the turn of the century, however, tobacco surpassed cotton and became the leading money crop. Greenville became one of the state's leading tobacco marketing and warehouse centers.

20th century
For over a century, Greenville was recognized only as an important tobacco market and the home of a small state-supported college, chartered by the Legislature in March 1907 and named East Carolina Teacher's Training School, a co-ed institution. By the mid 1960s, East Carolina College had become the third-largest state-supported college, and enrollment approached 8,000 students — twice the 1960 enrollment figure. In 1967, it became East Carolina University. ECU Medical School admitted its first four-year class in 1977. At the turn of the century, enrollment at ECU topped the 18,000 mark, and now exceeds 29,000 students.

Greenville's current economic development began in 1963 when Empire Brush was recruited to the new Greenville Industrial Park, established by Greenville Industries, Inc. (a for-profit land holding company) in partnership with the Pitt County Development Commission (established by a voter referendum in 1957) and Greenville Utilities Commission. One of the community's greatest successes came in 1968 when Burroughs Wellcome, a major pharmaceutical research and manufacturing firm, located a pharmaceutical development/manufacturing facility near the city. The site is now owned by Patheon, a Thermo Fisher Scientific company, which employs approximately 1,200 people. The city and Pitt County have also become home to many other major industries and businesses including Catalent, DENSO (formerly ASMO), Domtar Personal Care, Grady-White Boats, and Hyster-Yale Group.

Hurricane Floyd

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd made landfall in eastern North Carolina, dropping nearly 17 in of rain during the hours of its passage. Many residents were not aware of the flooding until the water came into their homes. Most localized flooding happened overnight, and the Tar River suffered the worst flooding, exceeding 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches. An additional 20+ inches of rain had fallen prior in the month from the two passes of Hurricane Dennis.

Damages in Pitt County, alone were estimated at $1.6 billion (1999 USD, $1.87 billion 2006 USD). Some residents in Greenville had to swim six feet underwater to reach the front doors of their homes and apartments. Due to the heavy flooding in downtown Greenville, the East Carolina Pirates were forced to relocate their football game against #9 Miami to N.C. State's Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, where they beat the Hurricanes, 27–23.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.20 sqmi, of which 37.44 sqmi is land and 0.76 sqmi (1.99%) is water. It is located in the inner Coastal Plain.

Climate
Greenville has a humid subtropical climate, which is characterized by hot and sweltering summers, and mild to cool winters, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Greenville can be prone to cold weather, as the temperature was once recorded as −4 °F, which is 36 below freezing. The summers are very hot, with temperatures averaging in the 90s, with nights in the mid-70s. The city is also prone to hot weather, as every summer month once recorded a record-high temperature of 100 °F or more.

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 87,521 people, 37,402 households, and 18,115 families residing in the city.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 174,263 residents in the Greenville MSA, 130,204 households, and 110,997 residents residing within 5 mi of the city limit. The population density was 2,364.6 PD/sqmi, making Greenville the densest city in Eastern North Carolina. There were 130,204 housing units at an average density of 1,100.4 /sqmi. The racial composition of the city was: 60.20% White, 32.14% African American, 5.06% Hispanic or Latino American, 1.82% Asian American, 0.80% Native American, 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 1.01% some other race, and 1.29% two or more races.

There were 25,204 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.8% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 18.8% under the age of 18, 28.7% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,648, and the median income for a family was $44,491. Males had a median income of $31,847 versus $26,324 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,476. About 15.6% of families and 26.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
Greenville is predominantly Protestant Christian, with large concentrations of Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, and various other evangelical groups. Presbyterians and Disciples of Christ also constitute a significant portion of the population.

The Roman Catholic community in Greenville has seen steady growth over the years, with the migration of Hispanic workers to the area, along with significant numbers of people from the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States who work for East Carolina University, the ECU Health, and other employers. There are two primary Catholic Parishes in Greenville including St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother on Dickinson Avenue and St. Peter Catholic Church on East 4th Street. St. Gabriel's serves hundreds of Spanish speaking families and supports a Head Start program in the West Greenville area. St. Peter's Catholic Church in Greenville supports a day school for grades K-8. John Paul II Catholic High School supports grades 9-12.

Greenville's Jewish community has seen continued growth. Congregation Bayt Shalom, a congregation affiliated with both Reform Judaism and Conservative Judaism, was previously led by the first African-American female rabbi in the United States, Alysa Stanton.

The growth and diverse nature of the city's population has also resulted in the addition of an Islamic Mosque and Hindu Temple within the last decade.

A minority of the city's population also identifies as "non-religious" or having no affiliation to any religion.

Economy
Greenville's economy is largely reliant on the local hospital system and East Carolina University. Companies with headquarters in Greenville include ECU Health, NMHG Americas, Grady-White Boats, Metrics, and Attends Health Care Products. The city's industry historically was centered on the sale and processing of tobacco, but today the major industries are health care, education and manufacturing. Minges Bottling Group, a large Pepsi bottling and distribution facility, is also located just outside Greenville in Ayden. Greenville is also home to The HammockSource, the world's largest hammock manufacturer.

The largest employer is ECU Health (formerly Vidant Medical Center) and the second largest is East Carolina University with specialized manufacturing and scientific industries augmenting the employment portfolio.

Arts and culture
Greenville is home to a wide range of cultural events on and off the East Carolina University campus. East Carolina University offers musical concerts, theatrical and dance productions, travel films, and lectures. The Greenville Museum of Art contains local art, as well as rotating exhibitions. Annually over 3,000 children participate in programs offered by the Museum and over 12,000 people visit the museum.

Theater is beginning to emerge in Greenville as well. Local groups such as the Greenville Theater Project and the Magnolia Arts Center offer outlets for both performers and audiences alike. Smiles and Frowns Playhouse produces children's theatre. Additionally, student groups such as SWASH Improv offer entertainment at the university and local establishments.

Aficionados of sacred organ and choral music have a major outlet in the city of Greenville in the form of the East Carolina Musical Arts Education Foundation, a non-profit organization centered on the Perkins & Wells Memorial Organ, C.B. Fisk, Opus 126 housed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The Foundation offers numerous organ and choral concerts annually, plus educational initiatives. The impressive Fisk organ at St. Paul's Episcopal Church is also the primary teaching and performing instrument for East Carolina University, with which St. Paul's and ECMAEF make up a strategic alliance.

Along with Theater, Dance is becoming prominent in Greenville. The Greenville Civic Ballet and the North Carolina Academy of Dance Arts are the main contributors of dance to the community. The Greenville Civic Ballet, owned by Kimberly Gray Saad, holds performances showcasing different dance backgrounds and styles. They hold biannual performances including Cinderella, Peter and the Wolf, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker Suites. Greenville Civic offers a diverse dance culture. The North Carolina Academy of Dance Arts is owned by Sherryl Tipton and collaborates with ECU's dance major program. NCADA does an annual Nutcracker performance in winter and in spring does a studio showcase. NCADA keeps a traditional dance culture in Greenville's community. Paired with the innovation of Greenville Civic's performances, the community is thriving with dance. Many restaurants and nightclubs offer live entertainment on the weekends. In the old Five Points area (in the newly renovated parking lot at Evans and Fifth Streets) every Wednesday in warm months, an Umbrella Market features local growers and producers plus crafts people. This is also the venue for "Freeboot Friday" on Fridays in the fall when there is a Saturday ECU home football game. It is an "Alive-At-Five" style pep-rally with live music, ECU cheerleaders, exhibits, children's activities, food samplings, and a beer and wine garden. The Downtown area is known for its large annual Halloween street party and live music bars. Considering the size of the city, Greenville has a large number of bars and nightclubs located downtown, due in large part to the location of ECU's campus which is immediately adjacent to downtown. In April 2019, Sup Dogs Restaurant was named the Best College Bar in America by Barstool Sports Barstool Best Bar bracket-style competition. In April 2020, Sup Dogs once again claimed the title.

Downtown Greenville has seen a huge resurgence since the recession. The area has been renamed to Uptown Greenville and has become the arts and entertainment hub of the area. Currently, Uptown Greenville houses over 20 restaurants and over 25 retail stores. It hosts several events throughout the year such as Sunday in the Park, The Umbrella Market, Freeboot Fridays and the Uptown Art Walk. Uptown has also become a popular residential destination in recent years with the development of new apartments and the renovation of existing infrastructure for residential use. During warmer months, residents and visitors also take advantage of Greenville's access to the Tar River. Kayaking, fishing, and boating are popular pastimes along with camping and trail access along the banks of the river. In early 2020, the City Council also authorized the purchase of approximately 163 acres of land north of the Tar River that will be used for the development of an adventure park focusing on outdoor recreational activities such as running, hiking, biking and camping along with lake-based and river recreation. Greenville also features a greenway system of more than 9 miles that connects the medical and educational community with the Uptown District and Tar River.

Retail
Greenville is the regional shopping destination for the Inner Banks area, since many big-box retailers and specialty shops are located in the city. Large centers include Greenville Mall (formerly Colonial Mall Greenville and Pitt Plaza originally), University Commons, Lynncroft and Arlington Village. La Promenade, La Promenade II, Arlington Village, and Arlington Plaza located within Greenville Blvd, Arlington Blvd, and Red Banks Rd is one of the biggest outdoor/strip mall-type shopping locations in Greenville, housing over 60 shops and restaurants. A new development called 11 Galleria, on the site of the former Carolina East Mall, features a number of big-box retailers. This new shopping center will contain a total of 400000 sqft.

Historic sites
The College View Historic District, Dickinson Avenue Historic District, E. B. Ficklen House, James L. Fleming House, Greenville Commercial Historic District, Greenville Tobacco Warehouse Historic District, Greenwreath, Robert Lee Humber House, Jones-Lee House, William H. Long House, Jesse R. Moye House, Oakmont, Pitt County Courthouse, Skinnerville-Greenville Heights Historic District, and U.S. Post Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sports
ECU's sports teams, nicknamed the Pirates, compete in NCAA Division I FBS as a full-member of the American Athletic Conference. Facilities include the 50,000 seat Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium for football, the 8,000-seat Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum for men's and women's basketball, and the Clark-LeClair Stadium, with a seating capacity of 3,000 (max capacity of 6,000+ when including outfield "Jungle" areas) for baseball. In 2010 a state of the art, Lady Pirates softball stadium with a seating capacity of 1,500 has been completed, neighboring a new ECU track and field facility and soccer stadium plus an Olympic sports coach's offices and team rooms facility are in varying stages of completion all along Charles Boulevard, the main entry way for all Pirate sports.

Olympic gold medalist Mark Lenzi coached the East Carolina University Pirate Men's and Women's diving teams until his death in 2012. Greenville has a strong tradition in Little League Baseball. Greenville Little Leagues was founded in 1951 and has two leagues; North State and Tar Heel. In 1998, a team from Greenville represented the South Region in the Little League World Series. They made it to the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champion, Toms River, New Jersey. In 2017, Greenville again represented the Southeast region in the Little League World Series. In this run, the pitchers threw a combined perfect game, followed by a no-hitter, the first US team to throw back-to-back no hitters. They made it to the United States Championship Game, where they were eliminated by Lufkin, Texas.

Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park is home to Little League baseball in Greenville. Along with Little League success, Greenville teams have also won multiple Babe Ruth Baseball titles. Since 2006, Greenville has sent Babe Ruth baseball teams to Southeast Regional competition each year in two different age groups, with two teams reaching the Babe Ruth World Series; the '06 15 yr. old team, and the '08 13 yr. old team. The 2006 team became the first Greenville Babe Ruth team to reach the World Series in 30 years, along with becoming the first Babe Ruth team to ever win a World Series game, defeating Clifton Park, New York 12–0. In 2012, the 13u Greenville All-Stars advanced to the Babe Ruth League World Series. The 2012 squad advanced to the championship game, falling to Bryant, Arkansas 4–3.

Greenville is home to the Greenville United Football Club, which joined the National Premier Soccer League on January 16, 2023. Greenville United FC games are currently played at John Paul II Catholic High School.

Greenville was home to minor league baseball. The Greenville Greenies was the primary moniker of the Greenville teams. Greenville played as members of the Eastern Carolina League (1928–1929) and Coastal Plain League (1934–1941, 1946–1951). The Greenville Greenies were an affiliate of the Washington Senators in 1939. The teams played at Guy Smith Stadium beginning in 1941. Previously, they played at Elm Street Park and Third Street Park.

Greenville is home to two major running groups, GoRun (Greenville Organization of Runners) and Greenville Running group. In addition a large bicycling group, EC Velo, tours the city and Pitt County weekly.

Sports Tourism is a huge economic driver for Greenville and Pitt County, with the effort being spearheaded by the Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission (Play Greenville, NC Sports). The Sports Commission has helped secure such national events as NCAA Championships, and starting in 2021, Greenville is the home of the Little League Softball World Series.

City Council
Greenville has a council–manager form of government. The Greenville City Council is the governing body of the city.

The mayor presides at council meetings and authorizes documents approved by the City Council. Together, they are responsible for establishing city policies and appointing members for boards and commissions. The City Council approves resolutions and ordinances, adopts an annual budget, manages the financing of city operations, and authorizes contracts.

The city manager, appointed by the Greenville City Council, is responsible for implementing the policies enacted by the City Council and managing the daily operations of city government.

Five of the council members serve individual districts and the sixth is elected by the entire city and serves at-large, much like the mayor.

Current members
Current members of the Greenville City Council, as of 2024:
 * Mayor P.J. Connelly
 * Mayor Pro Tem Monica Daniels – district 1
 * Portia Willis – at-large
 * Tonya Foreman – district 2
 * Marion Blackburn – district 3
 * Matthew Scully – district 4
 * Les Robinson – district 5

State representatives
The city of Greenville has 3 members of the North Carolina General Assembly that represent their citizens. They are represented by Kandie Smith in the 5th Senate district in the North Carolina Senate, and by Gloristine Brown in the 8th House district and by Timothy Reeder in the 9th House district in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Greenville is also represented by in Don Davis in the 1st congressional district with small parts of the city being represented by Greg Murphy in the 3rd congressional district.

Education
All Greenville schools fall under the Pitt County Schools (PCS) administration. PCS formed in 1985 when Pitt County Schools and Greenville City Schools merged. The 9-member Board of Education oversees all Greenville and Pitt County schools. In July 2013, Dr. Ethan Lenker was named Pitt County Schools Superintendent. As of 2022, there are 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, six traditional high schools, two early college high schools, and the Health Sciences Academy in Pitt County. There are also ten private schools.

Elementary schools

 * Ayden Elementary School (K–5)
 * Belvoir Elementary School (K–5)
 * Bethel School (K-8)
 * Chicod Elementary School (PreK–5)
 * Creekside Elementary School (K–5)
 * Eastern Elementary School (K–5)
 * Elmhurst Elementary School (K–5)
 * Falkland Elementary School (K–5)
 * G.R. Whitfield School (K–8)
 * Grifton School (K–8)
 * H.B Sugg Elementary School (Previous (k-12) now (pk-2))
 * Lakeforest Elementary School (K–5)
 * Northwest Elementary School (K–5)
 * Pactolus Elementary School (K–8)
 * Ridgewood Elementary School (K–5)
 * Sam D. Bundy Elementary School (3-5)
 * South Greenville Elementary School (K–5)
 * Stokes Elementary School (K–8)
 * Wahl-Coates Elementary School (K–5)
 * W.H. Robinson Elementary School (K–5)
 * Wintergreen Primary School (K–2)
 * Wintergreen Intermediate School (3–5)

Middle schools

 * A.G. Cox Middle School (6–8)
 * Ayden Middle School (6–8)
 * Chicod Middle School
 * C.M. Eppes Middle School (6–8)
 * E.B. Aycock Middle School (6–8)
 * Farmville Middle School (6–8)
 * Hope Middle School (6–8)
 * Wellcome Middle School (6–8)

Public High schools

 * Ayden-Grifton High School (9–12)
 * D. H. Conley High School (9–12)
 * Farmville Central High School (9–12)
 * Junius H. Rose High School (9–12)
 * North Pitt High School (9–12)
 * South Central High School (9–12)

Higher learning

 * East Carolina University
 * Miller-Motte Technical College
 * Pitt Community College
 * Shaw University (satellite campus)

Private schools

 * St. Paul's Episcopal Church Pre-School
 * Brookhaven Christian School (K–8)
 * Calvary Christian Academy (K–12)
 * Christ Covenant School (K–12)
 * Community Christian Academy (K–6)
 * Faith Christian Academy (PK–5)
 * Greenville Christian Academy (PK–12)
 * Greenville Montessori School (PK–6)
 * Montessori Today Inc. (PK)
 * Pope John Paul II Catholic High School (9–12)
 * St. Peter's Catholic School (PK–8)
 * The Oakwood School (PK–12)
 * Trinity Christian School (K–12)
 * Victoria Christian Academy Christian Academy (K–12)

Newspapers and publications
The Daily Reflector serves as the main daily newspaper and is Greenville's oldest business. Other notable newspapers that serve the city include G-Vegas Magazine, The Greenville Times, The East Carolinian, Her Magazine, The Minority Voice and Viva Greenville.

Radio stations serving Greenville

 * 1070 AM – WNCT Beach, Boogie & Blues
 * 1250 AM – WGHB Sports
 * 1340 AM – WOOW Gospel
 * 1570 AM – WECU Sports
 * 91.3 FM – WZMB East Carolina University
 * 92.1 FM – WRSV Urban Station
 * 93.3 FM – WERO Top 40 - All The Hits
 * 97.5 FM – WLGT Contemporary Christian
 * 101.9 FM – WIKS Hip Hop
 * 103.7 FM – WTIB Talk
 * 104.5 FM – WSTK The Vine Connection – Tradition Gospel Music
 * 106.9 FM – WBIS-LPFM Traditional gospel & Christian music
 * 107.9 FM – WNCT Adult Contemporary
 * 99.5 FM - WMJV Hot Adult Contemporary

Television stations licensed in Greenville

 * WNCT-TV – Greenville (CBS affiliate/The CW on DT2)
 * WYDO-TV – Greenville (Fox affiliate)
 * WUNK-TV – Greenville (PBS affiliate, part of the UNC-TV Network)
 * WEPX-TV – Greenville (Ion Network affiliate)

Other television stations serving Greenville

 * WITN-TV – Washington (NBC affiliate/My Network TV & Weather on DT2)
 * WCTI-TV – New Bern (ABC affiliate/This TV & Other Programs on DT2)
 * GPAT-TV – Greenville (Suddenlink Cable Channel 23 – Public-access television channel)
 * GTV9 – Greenville's City Government-access television channel (Suddenlink Cable TV Channel 9)

Voice of America/IBB
Greenville was the largest transmitter site for the Voice of America shortwave broadcasts under the auspices of the U.S. government's International Broadcasting Bureau. Both transmitter buildings and three large antenna 'farms' were located just outside Greenville. The Greenville Transmitting Station provided shortwave broadcasts for U.S. government-funded, non-military, international broadcasting and served as a standby, alternate gateway for the Satellite Interconnect System to use to uplink programming, should the Washington, D.C., SIS gateway have become unavailable. The station was also a backup facility for uplinking programming to the Atlantic Ocean Region satellite and served as the primary return link of that satellite. For the VOA, the main target areas for the station's shortwave broadcasts were Latin America, the Caribbean with special emphasis on Cuba, and Africa. Three complexes, one for management, distribution, and monitoring, and the other two for actual transmitting, formed an approximately 19 mi equilateral triangle around Greenville. At one time, these formed the largest international broadcasting site in the world. Two of the three sites have been decommissioned.

Health care
The health care community in Greenville is one of the largest in the state of North Carolina. With 861 beds, ECU Health Medical Center is the fifth largest hospital in North Carolina and is one of five academic medical centers in the state (others include the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, Wake Forest University, and Campbell University). ECU Health Medical Center is the only trauma center east of Raleigh and serves as the teaching hospital for The Brody School of Medicine. The hospital hosts over 1,700 licensed medical providers and serves over 1.2 million residents of the region. Many medical offices and clinics along with the hospital and university teaching facilities lie on Greenville's west side, comprising what is known as the Medical District. The East Carolina Heart Institute is open and has added 250 jobs at the hospital along with a six floor facility. A new 418,000 square foot Cancer Center broke ground at ECU Health Medical Center. The 96 inpatient room facility serves as one of the major destinations for oncology patients in Eastern North Carolina. The Golden LEAF Foundation announced a $10.8 million grant in 2018 and The Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation also donated $10 million. Vidant Cancer Care at the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Tower opened in March 2018.

Transportation
Major highways:
 * (Dickinson Avenue)
 * (Memorial Drive)
 * (5th Street, Charles Boulevard)
 * (Memorial Drive)
 * (5th Street, Charles Boulevard)
 * (5th Street, Charles Boulevard)

Rail freight transport is provided by CSX Transportation, along a north–south corridor, and Norfolk Southern Railway, along a east–west corridor.

Public transportation is provided by the G.K. Butterfield Transportation Center, which connects Uptown Greenville with local bus service, through the Greenville Area Transit (GREAT), and intercity bus service via Amtrak Thruway and Greyhound Lines. East Carolina University operates a local bus service, ECU Transit, and Pitt Area Transit (PATS) provides "by request" transportation.

Air service is available through the Pitt-Greenville Airport with scheduled flights daily to Charlotte Douglas International Airport via Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines.

Section of the South Tar River Greenway were completed in 2009, and 2011; a third section is planned.

As of 2022, the NCDOT Rail Division is studying the feasibility of Amtrak passenger rail transport between the city and Raleigh.

Notable people

 * Jamie Brewington, MLB pitcher
 * Fred Brooks, computer scientist
 * Andre Brown, former NFL running back with the New York Giants
 * Brian Brown, politician
 * Sandra Bullock, actor and producer (ECU graduate)
 * Derek Cox, NFL cornerback
 * Alge Crumpler, NFL tight end
 * Carlester Crumpler, NFL tight end
 * Daniel Dhers, BMX rider
 * Bernard Edwards, Chic bass player and producer
 * Brian Farkas, politician and representative for North Carolina's 9th House district
 * William J. Hadden, church minister, city councilman
 * Garth Risk Hallberg, novelist
 * Wilber Hardee, founder of Hardee's
 * Josh Harrington, BMX rider
 * Whit Haydn, magician
 * Al Hunter, NFL player
 * James Johnson, former American Greco-Roman wrestler and coach
 * Mike Laird, BMX rider
 * Erica Lindbeck, voice actress
 * Ma Haide (George Hatem), physician to Mao
 * Rico Hines, college basketball player, Basketball Asst Coach
 * Will MacKenzie, PGA Tour golfer
 * Dave Mirra, BMX rider
 * MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), YouTuber and philanthropist
 * Greg Murphy, physician and politician
 * Lee Norris, film and television actor
 * Ryan Nyquist, BMX rider
 * Mary H. Odom, North Carolina state legislator and politician
 * Edward Cobb Outlaw, rear admiral in the U.S. Navy
 * Petey Pablo, Rapper
 * Bronswell Patrick, MLB player for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants
 * Tommy Paul, professional tennis player
 * Lauren Perdue, 2012 U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist in Women's Swimming
 * Cornell Powell, NFL player
 * Rodney Purvis, NBA Player
 * Ricky Racks, hip hop artist
 * Ashley Sheppard, NFL player
 * Caroline Shaw, Pulitzer-prize-winning composer
 * Jessamine Shumate, artist, painter, cartographer
 * Kandie Smith, politician and representative for North Carolina's 5th Senate district
 * Tom Smith, musician, inductee into Jazz Education Hall of Fame
 * Kentavius Street, NFL player
 * Supastition, hip hop artist
 * Absalom Tatom, U.S. congressman for North Carolina's 4th congressional district (1795–1796)
 * Billy Taylor, jazz musician, founder of Jazzmobile, CBS television personalityx
 * Lawrence Tyson, World War I general and U.S. Senator
 * James Harvey Ward, actor
 * Joe West, MLB umpire
 * Katharine Whalen, musician, singer, and songwriter
 * Alex White, MLB pitcher
 * Jermaine Williams, NFL football player

title: Greenville, North Carolina


text:
Grimesland, North Carolina

Grimesland is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 441 at the 2010 census. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area located in North Carolina's Inner Banks.

History
Grimesland was named for Gen. Bryan Grimes. The town was laid out on Grimes' plantation.

Grimesland Plantation was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.5 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 440 people, 174 households, and 116 families residing in the town. The population density was 890.4 PD/sqmi. There were 187 housing units at an average density of 378.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 62.05% White, 29.09% African American, 0.23% Asian, 7.73% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.86% of the population.

There were 174 households, out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32 .8% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,672, and the median income for a family was $36,250. Males had a median income of $27,857 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,204. About 12.3% of families and 16.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 29.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Grimesland, North Carolina


text:
Simpson, North Carolina

Simpson is a village in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 416 at the 2010 census. The village is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.4 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 464 people, 189 households, and 131 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,260.2 PD/sqmi. There were 207 housing units at an average density of 562.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 56.03% White, 42.46% African American, 0.65% Native American, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.80% of the population.

There were 189 households, out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,188, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $34,464 versus $25,313 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,541. About 14.2% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 32.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Simpson, North Carolina


text:
Winterville, North Carolina

Winterville is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 10,591 as of the 2020 census. The town is a part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area.

History
The Cox-Ange House and Renston Rural Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.6 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,419 people, 4,143 households, and 2,759 families residing in the town.

2010 census
As of 2010, there were 9269 people, 1,848 households, and 1,371 families living in the town. The population density was 1,954.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,937 housing units at an average density of 790.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 59.24% White, 38.36% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.

Of the 1,848 households 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 22.6% of households were one person and 7.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 28.0% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 34.3% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median household income was $37,230 and the median family income was $47,167. Males had a median income of $36,004 versus $30,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,810. About 10.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

 * Pitt Community College
 * W.H. Robinson Elementary School
 * A.G. Cox Middle School
 * South Central High School
 * Brookhaven Christian School
 * Christ Covenant School
 * Creekside Elementary

Parks and recreation
Winterville Parks and Recreation has four baseball fields, an amphitheater for concerts and Movie in the Park events; it also features a mile-long trail around the park. Winterville Baseball is part of The Cal Ripken League and has succeeded in All-Star tournaments over the last decade.

Growth
In recent years, the town of Winterville has experienced major growth both residentially and commercially. Since the 1990s, subdivisions such as Winterville Crossing, Cedar Ridge, Irish Creek and many others surrounding the area have sprouted.

Notable people

 * MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) – YouTuber and philanthropist
 * Derek Cox (born 1986) – an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots
 * Ivan Koloff – Wrestling champion

title: Winterville, North Carolina


text:
Columbus, North Carolina

Columbus is a town and the county seat of Polk County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 999 at the 2010 census.

History
The Green River Plantation, J. G. Hughes House, and Polk County Courthouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
The town is concentrated along North Carolina Highway 108, southeast of Asheville, and a few miles north of the North Carolina-South Carolina border. U.S. Route 74 passes through the northern part of town, and Interstate 26 passes through the eastern section.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.8 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,060 people, 491 households, and 292 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 992 people, 414 households, and 238 families residing in the town. The population density was 559.1 PD/sqmi. There were 442 housing units at an average density of 249.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 90.32% White, 5.95% African American, 0.20% Native American, 3.12% from other races, and 0.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.56% of the population.

There were 414 households, out of which 19.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.75.

The population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 21.1% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 38.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.4 males.

The median income for a household was $25,469, and the median income for a family was $38,542. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $19,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,587. About 9.3% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.7% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Columbus, North Carolina


text:
Tryon, North Carolina

Tryon is a town in Polk County, on the southwestern border of North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 1,562. Located in the escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, today the area is affluent and a center for outdoor pursuits, equestrian activity, and fine arts.

Tryon Peak and the Town of Tryon are named for William Tryon, Governor of North Carolina from 1765 to 1771. He was honored for his negotiation with the Cherokee for a treaty during a period of conflict following the French and Indian War.

Cherokee hunting ground
The area which Tryon now occupies was originally part of the Cherokee hunting grounds of Western North Carolina. Archaeological evidence dates indigenous peoples' occupation of the site to the end of the last ice age, more than 11,000 years ago. Successive cultures occupied the river valleys. Semi-permanent villages appeared in the area by about 8,000 B.C.

They later developed towns with a democratic political structure, developing religion, domesticated crops, pottery and skilled, powerful archery. The culture developed cultivated vegetables, and hunted and fished. Each historic Cherokee village had a peace chief, war chief, and priest.

Spanish discovery
Having landed near present-day Panama City, Florida on May 30, 1539, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reputedly traveled up to the area of present-day Spartanburg, South Carolina and then north into western North Carolina. Traveling on horses, de Soto and 1,000 men arrived in North Carolina in mid-May 1540. In search of gold, de Soto explored the area of Asheville area and met with the Cherokee in their village of Xuala, the area now known as Tryon. After a day or two, de Soto continued his journey with provisions provided by the Cherokee.

Luys Hernandez de Biedma, one of de Soto's officers, wrote of a group of Spanish men who made their way to Xuala on May 21, 1540:

"The next day, they went to Xuala which is a town on a plain between some rivers; its chief was so well provisioned that he gave to the Christians however much they asked for: slaves, corn, little dogs [probably opossums]… and however much he had."

From there, de Soto went to Gauxuile (since developed as Asheville), which in Cherokee meant "The place where they race," named for the walk around the perimeter of the village.

Early English settlement, French and Indian War
In the earliest periods of settlement, the British traders and Cherokee enjoyed peaceful relations. Most of the British colonists settled in the coastal areas, where they had more contact with Algonquian-speaking peoples. A treaty signed in 1730 resulted in a greater influx of white traders and settlers to Cherokee territory. An early home, Seven Hearths, was built in 1740, and it is reputedly the oldest clapboard house in the county. It was moved to its present location in 1934. A log cabin that served as quarters for enslaved African Americans was also built about 1740. It was moved and rebuilt next to Seven Hearths in the 1930s.

The French and Indian War, the North American front of the Seven Years War, primarily between England and France, ended the peace that had existed between the Cherokee and the English settlers. Both the French and the English recruited Native American allies to aid their militias. The French were allied with the Creek people (Muscogee), traditional competitors of the Cherokee. The French tried to make allies of the Cherokee as well, who had been affiliated with the British because of their trading history. The French encouraged the Shawnee to raid settlements of the English.

As conflict and tension increased, the British built defensive forts along the frontier, including the "Block House" near the future Tryon. Tensions with the Cherokee continued after Britain defeated France in the large war. The Cherokee were resisting repeated incursions into their territory by English colonists.

In 1767 William Tryon, governor of the North Carolina Colony from 1765 to 1771), traveled to the area and negotiated a peace treaty with the Cherokee. They established a boundary line between a location near Greenville, South Carolina, the highest point on White Oak Mountain (renamed Tryon Peak by the settlers). Settlers, though, did not commit to the boundary. With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, some Cherokee hoped to expel the white settlers from their lands.

In the spring of 1776, Cherokee met on Round Mountain and planned an attack on the "Block House", Earl's Fort in Landrum, South Carolina, and Young's Fort near the current town of Mill Spring, North Carolina. Aware of the plans, a Cherokee named Skyuka went to the "Block House", where he warned his friend Capt. Thomas Howard of the impending attacks. Howard and the assembled local militia took a trail toward Round Mountain, where they met and defeated the Cherokee at a gap in the valley, now known as Howard Gap. Settlers honored Skyuka by the naming of Skyuka Creek, Skyuka Road, and the YMCA Camp Skyuka on Mount Tryon.

Post office

In 1839 a post office was established at the Top of Howard Gap and Holberts Cove Roads run by the Thompson Family, named the Tryon Post office ,In early Polk what is now the Saluda township was called the Tryon township, present day Tryon was in the Columbus Township ;until Tryon city was established in 1885 both were named after Governor Tryon.

Rail service and hospitality
By 1877 the railroad provided regular transportation from South Carolina seaports around Charleston, SC to North Carolina, Tennessee, and the Ohio Valley. The particular spot that became the town of Tryon was the point where construction of the railroad to Asheville stopped for two years. West of Tryon, the railroad ascends the Blue Ridge along the Saluda Grade, which was the steepest railroad grade in the country before it became inactive.

At the peak of railroad expansion in 1885, Tryon was incorporated. By the 1890s, the railway made six daily stops in Tryon. The current depot building, built in 1922, is the third depot built. After expansion of individual automobile use, railroads restructured their offerings and passenger service to Tryon ended in 1968.

Oak Hall, originally built as the Tryon Hotel in 1881, is located on a bluff that looks over Trade Street. It had notable guests into the 20th century, such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, British film actor David Niven, Sherlock Holmes actor William Gillette, writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, composer George Gershwin, First Lady Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, Lady Nancy Astor, and Mrs. George C. Marshall, wife of the World War II general. The hotel was redeveloped as a condominium complex in the early 21st century.

Appreciative of the ice cream served at Misseldine's drug store (previously located at the bank site on Trade Street), F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the following ditty,

Nina Simone

Tryon is known for the birth place of Nina Simone an African American singer. In Tryon there’s a golden colored statue of her next to Morris the horse.

Geography
The town's original boundary was established as a circle with a radius of three quarters of a mile. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.8 sqmi, all land.

Climate
Tryon is located near a "thermal belt", an area generally free of dew and frost, which provides an enjoyable climate year-round.

The mountain climate attracted many of Tryon's visitors as it developed as a resort, and residents, some of whom have second homes here. In this region of the Blue Ridge mountains, air may be warmer on the slopes than in the base of a valley, particularly in the spring and fall. It has longer periods of warm weather throughout the year, producing greater crop yields. Tryon has a climate similar to comparable areas of the Piedmont.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,562 people, 823 households, and 280 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,760 people, 869 households, and 452 families residing in the town. The population density was 955.0 PD/sqmi. There were 985 housing units at an average density of 534.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 77.16% White, 21.02% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.68% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 869 households, out of which 16.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.9% were non-families. 44.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 28.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.66.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 16.7% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 19.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 37.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 72.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,449, and the median income for a family was $44,485. Males had a median income of $35,956 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,347. About 7.9% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

More than half of Tryon's full-time residents are "transplants" from other areas of the country. Some have helped to create the cultural center that continues to attract writers, educators, artists, and professional people to the Tryon area.

Religion
Tryon's churches include: Grace Foothills Church (PCA), which meets in the historic Tryon Theatre; Tryon Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Holy Cross Church & Chapel (Episcopal), Congregational Church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, First Baptist Church, Tryon United Methodist Church, Trinity Lutheran Church LCMS. Other churches include Garrison Chapel Baptist Church.

The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, originally a slave chapel known as St. Andrews, located on the Coxe Plantation, was moved to Tryon in 1955, on Jackson Road. Its African-American congregation has kept its original furnishings and glass.

Agriculture
The southern exposure of Tryon's hills supports the production of orchards and vineyards. Vineyards were established in the Pacolet Valley, on Old Howard Gap, and other Tryon locations. By the 1950s the industry suffered due to decline in railroad transportation and competition with Californian grapes. However, viticulture is beginning to make a comeback in the area; since the 1990s, several vineyards have been established in and around Tryon.

Tourism

Tryon has a long history as a tourism destination, particularly as a retreat for writers and artists.

The Pine Crest Inn was built in 1906 as a sanitarium for those with tuberculosis. Before the discovery of penicillin, rest in mountain air was considered helpful in the treatment of TB, which was often fatal. In 1917 the sanitarium was converted to an inn. Early in the inn's history, hunters were attracted by its location, on the edge of hunting country. Swayback cabin, now more than 240 years old, hosted American writers Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The inn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Its dining room is ranked by AAA as four diamonds.

Tryon has also long been a center of equestrian-related tourism. Over the years, Tryon has served as a training location for the U.S. Olympic Equestrian team. In 2018, Tryon played host to the FEI World Equestrian Games, the “Horse Olympics,” which drew hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area.

Arts

 * The Tryon Fine Arts Center

The Tryon Fine Arts Center, located on Melrose Avenue, is a visual and performing arts center that offers music, drama, film and other cultural programs. Founded in 1969, the non-profit organization also offers a number of classes in the arts. The center's theater seats 345 individuals and has a system for the hearing impaired.

Located, exhibiting, or performing within the center are: the Tryon Painters and Sculptors and the Carolina Photo Club. The Photo Club annually exhibits in January and February. The group, affiliated with the Photographic Society of America, meets monthly. It conducts an annual contest, and winning submissions are exhibited in the Tryon Fine Arts Center.

 * Tryon Arts and Crafts School

Established in 1960, Tryon Arts and Crafts School provides creative opportunities "through education, instruction, and expression of heritage and contemporary arts and crafts." In the 1950s local artists offered space in their homes for fine arts and crafts. The blizzard of 1959 was the impetus for creation of a formal organization. Grace Hall, a local resident who had been trapped in her home for three weeks, wrote to the Tryon Daily Bulletin with an idea: form a local crafts center so that area residents could learn skills for arts or crafts. If another blizzard hit, they would be better prepared for isolation. Many agreed, including architect Carter Brown and Tryon philanthropist Violet Parish-Watson.

In April 1960, 200 area residents pledged a one-dollar membership fee to support what would be called Tryon Crafts, Inc. "Recapturing Tryon's history as an artist's colony," local artisans began selling work and teaching classes. Tryon Arts & Crafts (named since 2004) is now located at 373 Harmon Field Road, adjacent to Harmon Field. The facility offers professional studios for a wide variety of arts, such as fiber arts, pottery, jewelry, lapidary, woodworking, multimedia and blacksmithing.

The Tryon Concert Association has brought "world-class artists" to Tryon since its first sponsored concert in January 1955, when baritone Robert McFerrin gave a recital. Soon after this performance, McFerrin was the first African American to join the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York City. The Tryon Concert Association provides a series of four concerts from the fall through spring with high quality talent.
 * Tryon Concert Association

Tryon Little Theater has been a vital part of the performing community since 1948. It performs four productions a year, plus classes and workshops at its Workshop on Highway 176. Auditions are always open to the public. The theater is also a partner in producing the Tryon Summer Youth Theater for ages 12–18.
 * Tryon Little Theater

Tryon Youth Center, located in a 5,300 sqft building on US Highway 176, offers artistic, social and recreational programs for area young people. A Youth Center Summer Musical is produced annually at the Tryon Fine Arts Center.
 * Tryon Youth Center

Children's Theater Festival, organized in 1978, offers "lively arts" for children including: "Eight to ten different performances, encompassing theater, music, storytelling, mime, dance, puppetry, and more are brought to Tryon on a Saturday in late March."
 * Children's Theatre Festival

Tryon is the birthplace of singer and piano player Nina Simone. Four African-American artists: Adam Pendleton, Ellen Gallagher, Rashid Johnson, and Julie Mehretu jointly bought her childhood home to preserve it. The home has been named a national treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
 * Nina Simone Birthplace

Equestrian community
Colonel Charles C. Ross, U.S. Army (Retd.) is a local historian and former president of the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. He said at a Polk County Historical Association meeting in April 2010, "'The horse is all important in Polk County. Horses provide sport, pleasure, entertainment, business, and the good country living. It can be said that horses are a way of life in our pleasant community here in rural North Carolina.'"

When Carter Brown came to Tryon from Michigan in 1917, he opened the Pine Crest Inn, developing it as a resort for wealthy northerners. They could come here to ride horses or play golf during the winter months. In 1925 Brown founded and was the first president of the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. Brown also helped organize the Tryon Horse Show and the Block House Steeplechase in 1929 and 1934, respectively.

Ross noted in 2010 that in their heyday, the Tryon Horse Show "was so popular that the schools were let out and most businesses closed for the afternoon." The Tryon Horse Shows are held at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE). In 1956, the US Equestrian Team prepared and trained for the 1956 Olympics in Tryon. The Tryon Horse Show continues to be held; it is the third oldest horse show and a rated United States Equestrian Federation event.

Smaller shows are held at Harmon Field. Many local organizations, such as the Carolina Carriage Club, the Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association, Foothills Riding Club, and River Valley Pony Club also hold shows and events.

Morris, the Tryon Horse, stands at the center of Tryon. A large version of toys made by the Tryon Toymakers and Woodcarvers, the Tryon Horse was commissioned in1928 by the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. The current Morris is the fifth generation; three of the previous versions succumbed to fire, mischievous kidnapping and age, and the fourth was refurbished with a fiberglass body. Morris serves as a billboard during the Tryon Horse Show and Block House Steeplechase Races. At Christmas, he is decorated with garland and a top hat.

In May 2012, a group of volunteers, together with the Town of Tryon and the Tryon Daily Bulletin (The World's Smallest Daily Newspaper!), banded together to raise money to restore and maintain Morris, which was deteriorating. The enormous statue was "kidnapped" in the dead of night on June 8, 2012, and held for "ransom". The refurbished Morris was returned to his rightful spot in November 2012.

In June 2014, the $100 million TIEC and Resort opened to host numerous multi-day, international-level equestrian competitions across several disciplines in collaboration with the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club. Located outside Tryon in nearby Mill Spring, the 1400-acre equestrian facility features up to 10 riding arenas (including one with stadium seating for 6,000), 1,000 permanent stalls, elevated and shaded viewing decks, and a large covered riding facility.
 * Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC)

In addition, the Tryon Sports Complex on site includes a health club, game room, kids' camp, sports bar, children's playground, tennis courts, mountain bike park, climbing walls, basketball court, and a large pool. A 150-room hotel overlooks the equestrian center. The TIEC hosted the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

The Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) is a 380 acre nature preserve with trails established for hiking, horseback riding, and bird-watching. The center, which also includes picnic areas and a pond, hosts equestrian events and live concerts.
 * Foothills Equestrian Nature Center

Library
The Lanier Library Association is named for poet Sidney Lanier. He was living in "the Wilcox house" on Highway 108 in Lynn, three miles (5 km) north of Tryon. He died there on September 7, 1881, and it has since been known as the "Lanier House".

In 1889 five women from Tryon developed the idea for a library to provide "intellectual and cultural stimulation for the community"; they opened library membership to local women. Two volumes of Sidney Lanier's poems, a gift from his wife Mary, were the first books for the library. Initially the books of the library were located at several places in town before the Lanier Library was constructed in 1905; it has been expanded over the years. In 1930 the library established an endowment fund to support its operations. It extended library membership to men. The Lanier Library Association, Inc., previously called the Lanier club, was organized to provide library services and related cultural programs to the community. Lanier Library remains a membership library supported solely by membership dues, endowments and donations. It is one of a few membership libraries in the country.

Recreation
The area is known for its scenic drives featuring well-kept horse farms, hardwood forests, and Carolina foothills overwhelmed by kudzu.

Parks
Tryon has several parks including:
 * Rogers Park, located in downtown Tryon, this facility also has an open-air amphitheater. The natural setting includes a small creek and trails. Landscaping features native plants and Crab Orchard stone walls. Its facilities are used for public events, such as music performances. It can also be reserved for private events, such as weddings and other occasions.
 * Greene Corner, on Melrose Avenue across from the entrance to the Tryon Fine Arts Center, has a beautiful garden and gazebo, often a setting for photos. Sassoon Park, also on Melrose Avenue, has a modern sculpture and greenery.
 * Harmon Field, a 46 acre park in Tryon, located on Harmon Field Road between US Hwy 176 and NC Hwy 108, is regularly used by town residents and visitors. It offers a variety of activities, from trail walking to active sports participation:
 * There are periodic events for horseback riders (see their calendar of events). Facilities include four horse rings and 140 stalls.
 * There are two baseball fields, two soccer fields, four tennis courts, basketball courts, dog park, trails, disc golf course, and a playground.
 * Shelters and grills are available for picnics.
 * The field also offers rental facilities and a concession stand.

Scenic areas and drives

 * Pacolet Scenic Byway, one of North Carolina Scenic Byways, is a ten-mile (16 km) portion of US 176 that runs from Tryon to Saluda. It provides views of the Pacolet River and waterfalls.
 * Pearson's Falls Natural Heritage Site, named for its 90 ft waterfall, is owned and maintained by the Tryon Garden Club. Located between Tryon and Saluda, it offers a picnic area, and hiking and biking trails. A one-quarter mile walk to the waterfall can be found from the entrance at US 176.  The "botanical preserve" offers more than 200 species of wildflowers and plants. It has been classified as a deciduous climax forest. The falls were named after engineer Charles William Pearson, who surveyed the Blue Ridge Mountains for a route for construction of the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Transportation
Tryon is located west of Interstate 26, which runs northwest to Asheville and southeast to Spartanburg, South Carolina, approximately one mile from the NC/SC border. U.S. Highway 176 runs through the center of town, where it is known as Trade Street.

Notable people

 * George Charles Aid (1872–1938), American painter
 * Katharine Alexander (1898–1981), actress, died in Tryon
 * Margaret Culkin Banning (1891–1982), whose home "Friendly Hills", was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998
 * Cathy Smith Bowers (born 1949), poet and professor; North Carolina Poet Laureate, 2010–2012
 * Crystal R. Fox (born 1964), actress
 * Henry Jacques Garrigues (1831–1913), Danish-born doctor considered to have introduced antiseptic obstetrics to the United States
 * William Gillette (1853–1937), Sherlock Holmes actor who built a home in Tryon; this was adapted as the Thousand Pine Inn
 * Mary Alice Monroe, author
 * Richard Christian Nelson (born 1961), artist
 * Mark Schweizer (1956–2019), singer, composer, conductor, author, and publisher, founder of St. James Music Press
 * Nina Simone (1933–2003), singer, pianist, composer, and activist
 * Amelia Van Buren (1856–1942), photographer

title: Tryon, North Carolina


text:
Asheboro, North Carolina

Asheboro is a city in and the county seat of Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 27,156 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Greensboro-High Point Metropolitan Area of the Piedmont Triad and is home of the state-owned North Carolina Zoo.

History
Asheboro was named after Samuel Ashe, the ninth governor of North Carolina (1795–1798), and became the county seat of Randolph County in 1796. It was a small village in the 1800s, with a population of less than 200 through the Civil War; its main function was housing the county courthouse, and the town was most active when court was in session. Asheboro's population only began to grow significantly following its connection to railroads: the High Point, Randleman, Asheboro and Southern Railroad first served the city in 1889, followed by the Montgomery Railroad in 1896.

Asheboro emerged as a textile production center in the 20th century with the opening of the Acme Hosiery Mills in 1909. After World War II, the city's manufacturing sector grew to include batteries, wires and food products. The city's main tourist attraction, the North Carolina Zoo, opened in 1974.

Asheboro suffered from an economic downturn in the 2000s due to a decline in its traditional manufacturing industries amid increasing competition from overseas; the national news program 60 Minutes described it as a "dying town" in 2012.

Asheboro was a "dry city" until the laws were changed in 2008 to allow alcohol sales. In 2015 Four Saints Brewing company opened, leading to an improved economy in the downtown area.

Historic buildings
The following buildings in Asheboro are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

 * Acme-McCrary Hosiery Mills
 * Asheboro Hosiery Mills and Cranford Furniture Company Complex
 * Central School
 * Wilson Kindley Farm and Kindley Mine
 * Lewis-Thornburg Farm
 * Mount Shepherd Pottery Site
 * Randolph County Courthouse
 * Sunset Theater
 * Thayer Farm Site (31RD10)

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.4 sqmi, of which 15.3 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.58%) is water. Asheboro is known as the center point of North Carolina. Although Asheboro is located in the gently rolling Piedmont plateau region of central North Carolina, far to the east of the Appalachian Mountains, the town and surrounding area are surprisingly hilly. The town lies within the Uwharrie Mountains, a series of ancient ridges and monadnocks which have been worn down by erosion to high hills. As such, Asheboro gives the impression of being in a more mountainous area than it actually is.

Climate
The climate of Asheboro is a warm temperate climate(Cfa), with cool winters and hot summers and long springs and falls. The climate is very suitable to grow many oaks, pines and hollies, as well as foreign plants like bamboo, crepe myrtles, and rosemary.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 27,156 people, 10,841 households, and 6,130 families residing in the city.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,672 people, 8,756 households, and 5,516 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,412.5 PD/sqmi. There were 9,515 housing units at an average density of 620.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 69.45% White, 12.08% African American, 0.51% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 7.72% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 30.9% of the population.

There were 8,756 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.1 males.

Top employers
According to Asheboro's 2021 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city were:

In October 2012 Hyosung USA announced the closure of the Asheboro wire plant and loss of 310 jobs. Built by Goodyear and acquired by Hyosung in 2011, the plant makes wires for use in car and truck tires.

Black & Decker Corp was one of the main employers in the mid 1990s; one of its products, the SnakeLight, sold millions after being introduced in late 1994. The plant employed about 1,100 workers in 1998 and was one of the three biggest employers in Randolph County.

Sports

 * Asheboro is home to the Asheboro ZooKeepers of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The ZooKeepers play at McCrary Park in Asheboro.
 * Caraway Speedway, a Whelen Southern Modified Tour racing location.

Retail
Randolph Mall opened in 1982.

Transportation
Routes include U.S. Route 220 and Interstate 73/Interstate 74, which connect it to Greensboro, U.S. Route 64 bypasses most of Asheboro to the south, while it goes through more of the city limits as a separate business route. U.S. 64 also connects the city to Raleigh, and North Carolina Highway 49, which connects the city to Charlotte.

Asheboro Regional Airport serves general aviation traffic to and from the city. The closest airport with scheduled passenger service is Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro.

Education
Asheboro City Schools operates public schools serving the city.

Fayetteville Street Christian School, located in Asheboro, is the largest private school in Randolph County.

In addition the Randolph County Schools has its headquarters in Asheboro.

Notable people

 * Sam Ard, former NASCAR driver; 1983 and 1984 Nascar Busch Series Champion
 * William Johnston Armfield, business executive and philanthropist
 * Scott Bankhead, Major League Baseball and 1984 US Olympic Team pitcher
 * Chuck Bown, former NASCAR driver; 1990 Nascar Busch Series Champion
 * Lane Caudell, musician and actor
 * Keith Crisco, businessman and public official
 * William Cicero Hammer, U.S. Congressional Representative Democrat from 1921 to 1930
 * Andy Headen, former NFL linebacker for the New York Giants
 * Randy Henderson, Mayor of Fort Myers, Florida from 2009-2020
 * Elizabeth Lail, actress known for her role as Guinevere Beck in You
 * Paul Martin Newby, justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court
 * Reynolds Price, novelist, essayist and educator, resident of the town in the 1930s and 1940s
 * Julius Ramsay, Emmy-nominated television director and editor
 * Marmaduke Swaim Robins, lawyer, private secretary to the civil war era governor, state legislator, and newspaperman. His son served as mayor of Asheboro.
 * Joe Spinks, professional basketball player
 * Jonathan Worth, North Carolina Governor from 1865 to 1868 during early Reconstruction

title: Asheboro, North Carolina


text:
Franklinville, North Carolina

Franklinville is a town in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,164 at the 2010 census.

History
The Franklinville Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.2 sqmi, of which 1.2 sqmi is land and 0.80% is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,258 people, 441 households, and 324 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,021.2 PD/sqmi. There were 575 housing units at an average density of 466.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 78.22% White, 10.10% African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 8.59% from other races, and 1.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.45% of the population.

There were 441 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.9% under the age of 18, 13.7% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 14.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $29,390, and the median income for a family was $32,679. Males had a median income of $26,141 versus $16,364 for females. The per capita income for the town was $13,352. About 15.8% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Franklinville, North Carolina


text:
Liberty, North Carolina

Liberty is a town in Randolph County, North Carolina, United States.

History
Originally named Liberty Oak, the town was founded in 1809 near the plantation of John Leak. The first church within the town was the Liberty Christian Church (now the United Church of Christ) founded on October 11, 1884. The town's first school, the Liberty Academy, was founded on May 6, 1885, as a charter school, and helped to foster the town's early reputation as a place of higher learning. Liberty is home to the mother church of the Southern Baptist denomination (Sandy Creek Baptist Church).

The Liberty Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, largely due to the efforts of Mrs. Francine Swaim, a local writer, teacher, and historian.

Geography
Liberty is drained by the Rocky River on the south and southwest and its tributary North Rocky River Prong on the northeast. Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Deep River, drains the town on the west and northwest.

Events and landmarks
Liberty is also home to the famous the Liberty Antiques Festival. Also, the Liberty Showcase has had many distinguished Nashville recording stars such as Ronnie McDowell, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Watson, Exile, and many more. The movies Killers Three (1968) and Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1993) were filmed in Liberty and the surrounding areas.

One of Liberty's most noticeable landmarks is the Patterson House Museum, near the town hall; it was originally constructed in 1885 by Dr. Armstead Jackson Patterson as a retirement home for his parents. Other local landmarks are the historical Liberty train station (which is not open to the public), and the Vance York house.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,655 people, 1,108 households, and 671 families residing in the town.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 2,661 people, 1,033 households, and 708 families resided in the town. The population density was 1,020.8 PD/sqmi. The 1,094 housing units averaged 419.7 per square mile (161.8/km$2$). The racial makeup of the town was 65.69% White, 23.64% African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 8.08% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. About 14.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 1,033 households, 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were not families; 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the town, the population was distributed as 26.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.7% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,052, and for a family was $44,179. Males had a median income of $27,944 versus $21,462 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,345. About 12.2% of the population and 9.9% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 12.9% of those under the age of 18 and 16.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Aviation
Liberty has long been important to the aviation community. In addition to having several private airports in the vicinity, Liberty lies at the intersection of several air traffic routes that serve the East Coast. A Vortac owned by the Federal Aviation Administration for air traffic navigation is based just outside town near Sandy Creek Church. Liberty is also located near the delineation point for the Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (Atlanta Center) and the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (Washington Center). All planes flying west of Liberty must be directed by Atlanta, while all planes flying east must be directed by Washington.

title: Liberty, North Carolina