Pitt County, North Carolina

Coordinates: 35°35′N 77°23′W / 35.59°N 77.38°W / 35.59; -77.38
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pitt County
County
Pitt County Courthouse in Greenville
Pitt County Courthouse in Greenville
Map of North Carolina highlighting Pitt County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°35′N 77°23′W / 35.59°N 77.38°W / 35.59; -77.38
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1760
Named forWilliam Pitt the Elder
SeatGreenville
Largest communityGreenville
Area
 • Total655.55 sq mi (1,697.9 km2)
 • Land652.37 sq mi (1,689.6 km2)
 • Water3.18 sq mi (8.2 km2)  0.49%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total170,243
 • Density260.96/sq mi (100.76/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 3rd
Websitewww.pittcountync.gov

Pitt County is a county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. In 2020, 170,243 people lived there.[1] Its county seat is Greenville.[2]

Pitt County includes the Greenville Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is one of the fastest growing centers in the state. Since 1990, the population has grown a lot.

History[change | change source]

The county was made in 1760 from part of Beaufort County. It was named for William Pitt the Elder. Pitt was an English statesman and orator, born in London, England. He studied at Oxford University. In 1731, he joined the army. Pitt led the young "Patriot" Whigs. In 1756, he became secretary of state. There he was a pro-freedom speaker in British Colonial government.

Geography[change | change source]

The total area of Pitt County is 655.55 square miles (1,697.9 km2). Of that, 3.18 square miles (8.2 km2) (0.49%) is water.[3]

Bordering counties[change | change source]

Demographics[change | change source]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
17908,270—
18009,0849.8%
18109,1690.9%
182010,0019.1%
183012,09320.9%
184011,806−2.4%
185013,39713.5%
186016,08020.0%
187017,2767.4%
188021,79426.2%
189025,51917.1%
190030,88921.0%
191036,34017.6%
192045,56925.4%
193054,46619.5%
194061,24412.4%
195063,7894.2%
196069,9429.6%
197073,9005.7%
198090,14622.0%
1990107,92419.7%
2000133,79824.0%
2010168,14825.7%
2020170,2431.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[4]
1790–1960[5] 1900–1990[6]
1990–2000[7] 2010–2020[1]

At the census of 2020, there were 170,243 people, 70,016 households,[8] and 42,015 families living in the county.[9] The population density was 261 people per square mile (101/km²). There were 80,515 housing units, at an average density of 123 per square mile (48/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 52.2% White, 35.5% Black or African American, 1.8% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.6% from other races, and 5.5% from two or more races. The population was 7.6% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[8]

There were 70,016 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, and 38.3% had a married couple living together. 31.7% of all households had one person living alone, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36.[8]

Of the total population, 22.3% were under 18 years old, 13.7% were 18 to 24, 26.3% were 25 to 44, 23.2% were 45 to 64, and 14.5% were 65 or over. The median age was 35 years. The population was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.[8]

As of 2022, the median (middle) yearly income for a household was about $54,915, compared to $66,186 in North Carolina and $75,149 in the United States. The median income for a family was about $73,970, compared to $82,890 in North Carolina and $92,646 in the United States.[10] The per capita income was about $32,224.[11] About 11.9% of families[12] and 20.0% of all people in Pitt County lived below the poverty line. This includes 22.8% of children under 18 years old and 11.3% of people over 65 years old.[13]

About 36.4% of people over 25 years old living in Pitt County had a bachelor's degree. This compares to 35.9% in North Carolina and 35.7% in the United States. About 6.5% of people in Pitt County were born in another country, compared to 8.6% in North Carolina and 13.9% in the United States. About 90.6% of people in Pitt County spoke only English at home, and 9.4% spoke another language.[14]

Racial breakdown by year[change | change source]

Race or ethnicity 2020[8] 2010[15] 2000[16] 1990[17] 1980[18]
White 52.2% 58.9% 62.2% 65.5% 65.1%
Black/African-American 35.5% 34.1% 33.7% 33.3% 34.4%
Native American 0.4% 0.3% 0.4% 0.2% 0.1%
Asian 1.8% 1.6% 0.9% 0.6% 0.3%
Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.0%
Other races 4.6% 3.1% 1.5% 0.4% 0.1%
Two or more races 5.5% 2.0% 1.1% - -
Hispanic or Latino 7.6% 5.5%[19] 3.1% 0.9% 0.9%

Communities[change | change source]

Map of Pitt County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Cities[change | change source]

Towns[change | change source]

Census-designated places[change | change source]

Unincorporated communities[change | change source]

Townships[change | change source]

  • Arthur
  • Ayden
  • Belvoir
  • Bethel
  • Black Jack
  • Carolina (Stokes)
  • Chicod
  • Falkland
  • Farmville
  • Fountain
  • Greenville
  • Grifton
  • Grimesland
  • Pactolus
  • Simpson
  • Swift Creek
  • Winterville

Politics, law and government[change | change source]

In the early twentieth century Pitt was a typical Democratic "Solid South" county, where many blacks were blocked from voting, and and the small number of white voters voted overwhelming majorities for the Democratic Party. Pitt County voted for the Democratic Party in every election from at least 1876 until American Independent candidate George Wallace gained a plurality in 1968. Apart from Richard Nixon's overwhelming victory over George McGovern in 1972, Pitt has since been a closely contested swing county, with no major party candidate falling under 40% after 1972.

United States presidential election results for Pitt County, North Carolina[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 38,982 44.51% 47,252 53.96% 1,339 1.53%
2016 35,691 44.32% 41,824 51.94% 3,012 3.74%
2012 36,214 45.92% 41,843 53.06% 799 1.01%
2008 33,927 45.31% 40,501 54.08% 456 0.61%
2004 28,590 53.30% 24,924 46.46% 129 0.24%
2000 23,192 53.84% 19,685 45.70% 198 0.46%
1996 18,227 47.95% 17,555 46.18% 2,229 5.86%
1992 16,609 41.63% 17,959 45.02% 5,327 13.35%
1988 18,245 55.08% 14,777 44.61% 105 0.32%
1984 18,983 58.36% 13,481 41.45% 62 0.19%
1980 12,816 48.60% 12,590 47.74% 965 3.66%
1976 9,532 44.78% 11,636 54.66% 120 0.56%
1972 14,406 70.41% 5,858 28.63% 195 0.95%
1968 5,745 25.41% 7,696 34.04% 9,167 40.55%
1964 5,149 31.27% 11,317 68.73% 0 0.00%
1960 3,458 21.63% 12,526 78.37% 0 0.00%
1956 2,515 17.48% 11,873 82.52% 0 0.00%
1952 2,203 16.35% 11,271 83.65% 0 0.00%
1948 602 6.32% 8,519 89.47% 401 4.21%
1944 495 5.47% 8,556 94.53% 0 0.00%
1940 369 3.54% 10,067 96.46% 0 0.00%
1936 325 3.29% 9,539 96.71% 0 0.00%
1932 255 3.19% 7,724 96.55% 21 0.26%
1928 1,395 23.09% 4,646 76.91% 0 0.00%
1924 512 13.60% 3,197 84.91% 56 1.49%
1920 864 17.08% 4,196 82.92% 0 0.00%
1916 719 20.21% 2,839 79.79% 0 0.00%
1912 347 11.24% 2,303 74.63% 436 14.13%
1908 890 26.87% 2,419 73.04% 3 0.09%
1904 429 15.46% 2,329 83.93% 17 0.61%
1900 2,156 39.52% 3,264 59.82% 36 0.66%
1896 2,390 42.82% 3,181 56.99% 11 0.20%
1892 1,221 25.99% 2,052 43.68% 1,425 30.33%
1888 2,358 47.21% 2,569 51.43% 68 1.36%
1884 2,283 48.46% 2,428 51.54% 0 0.00%
1880 1,815 44.37% 2,200 53.78% 76 1.86%

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

Pitt County is represented by Gloristine Brown and Timothy Reeder in the North Carolina House of Representatives and Kandie Smith in the North Carolina Senate.[21]

Education[change | change source]

Private[change | change source]

Private schools in Pitt County include:[22]

  • Brookhaven SDA School
  • Calvary Christian Academy
  • Children's Montessori School
  • Christ Covenant School
  • Community Christian Academy
  • Faith Christian Academy
  • Greenville Christian Academy
  • Greenville Montessori School
  • John Paul II Catholic HS
  • The Oakwood School
  • Roseleaf Academy
  • Saint Peter Catholic School
  • Trinity Christian School

Public[change | change source]

Public schools in Pitt County are managed by Pitt County Schools.[23]

Elementary schools[change | change source]

  • Ayden Elementary School
  • Belvoir Elementary School
  • Creekside Elementary School
  • Eastern Elementary School
  • Elmhurst Elementary School
  • Falkland Elementary School
  • H. B. Sugg School (K–2)
  • Lake Forest Elementary School
  • Northwest Elementary School
  • Ridgewood Elementary School
  • Sam D. Bundy School (3–5)
  • South Greenville Elementary School
  • W. H. Robinson Elementary School
  • Wahl-Coates Elementary School
  • Wintergreen Intermediate School (3–5)
  • Wintergreen Primary School (K–2)

K–8 schools[change | change source]

  • Bethel School
  • Chicod School
  • G. R. Whitfield School
  • Grifton School
  • Pactolus School
  • Stokes School

Middle schools[change | change source]

  • A. G. Cox Middle School
  • Ayden Middle School
  • C. M. Eppes Middle School
  • E. B. Aycock Middle School
  • Farmville Middle School
  • Hope Middle School
  • Wellcome Middle School

High schools[change | change source]

Alternative schools[change | change source]

Post-secondary schools[change | change source]

Transportation[change | change source]

Airport[change | change source]

American Airlines (Piedmont Airlines) serves the Pitt-Greenville Airport daily with connecting flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "QuickFacts: Pitt County, North Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  2. ↑ National Association of Counties. "NACo County Explorer". Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Washington". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  4. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2010-03-27. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  10. ↑ "S1901: Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ "S1902: Mean Income in the Past 12 Months (in 2022 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars)". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  12. ↑ "S1702: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months of Families". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  13. ↑ "S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  14. ↑ "DP02: Selected Social Characteristics in the United States". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  15. ↑ "P1: RACE". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  16. ↑ "DP1: Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - North Carolina" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - North Carolina" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau.
  19. ↑ "P2: HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Pitt County Representation". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Private Schools". Greenville-Pitt Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  23. ↑ "Pitt County Schools". Retrieved 12 December 2016.

Further reading[change | change source]

  • Kahrl, Andrew W., "The 'Negro Park' Question: Land, Labor, and Leisure in Pitt County, North Carolina, 1920–1930," Journal of Southern History (Feb. 2013) 79#1 pp 113–42.

Other websites[change | change source]

Retrieved from "https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pitt_County,_North_Carolina&oldid=9536425"