Tarboro, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Tarboro is a city located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina
. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. As of 2010, the town had a total population of 13,121. It is the county seat
of Edgecombe County
. Tarboro is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks
region. It has many historical churches, some dating back to the early 18th century.
Historic Tarboro, North Carolina, was chartered in 1760. Nestled in a bend of the Tar River
, it was an important river port
, the head of navigation on the Tar. As early as the 1730s a small community formed due to this natural asset, and a warehouse, customs office and other commercial concerns together with a score of "plain and cheap" houses made a bustling village.
The locals were a scrappy bunch, and gave the early governors and their agents a hard time. Edgecombe County residents came down hard on the side of the American Revolution
, many serving as officers in the Continental Army
. One such was Thomas Blount (1759–1812), whose handsome plantation
house "The Grove
" has been restored and is open for tours on a daily basis. Blount was a very young officer, spent time in England as a prisoner of war
, but returned to North Carolina
to participate in one of the largest merchant
/shipping companies in late 18th century America
.
"The Grove" was also home to Col. Louis Dicken Wilson
(1789–1847), who served in the North Carolina Senate
and fought in the Mexican-American War, and Col. John Luther Bridgers (1821–1884), Commandant of Ft. Macon in the American Civil War
.
Civil War General William Dorsey Pender is buried in Calvary Churchyard in Tarboro. Pender was considered one of the most promising young generals in Lee's army when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. He is memorialized in the name of Pender County, North Carolina, founded in 1875. Pender is the posthumous author of The General to his Lady: The Civil War letters of William Dorsey Pender to Fanny Pender, published in 1965.
Although it is generally agreed that the area around Tarboro was settled by 1733, Mosley's map of that year shows only Tuscarora Native Americans. By 1850, the area was widely known as "Tawboro,” a name attributed to "Taw,” the Native American word for "river of health.” Tarrburg, as the town was called on maps of 1770-75, was chartered November 30, 1760 as Tarborough by the General Assembly. In September of the same year, Joseph and Ester Howell deeded 150 acres (607,029 m²) of their property to the Reverend James Moir, Lawrence Toole (a merchant), Captains Aquilla Sugg and Elisha Battle, and Benjamin Hart, Esquire, for five shillings and one peppercorn. As commissioners, these men were to lay out a town with lots not exceeding 0.5 acres (2,023.4 m²) and streets not wider than 80 feet (24.4 m), with 12 lots and a 50 acres (202,343 m²) "common" set aside for public use. Lots were to be sold for two pounds, with the proceeds to be turned over to the Howells; however, full payment was not received for all of the 109 lots sold, and some were not sold for the 40 shillings price.
After Halifax County
was divided out of Edgecombe County in 1758-1759, the original county seat of Enfield remained in Halifax County. Edgecombe County needed a new county seat. Tarboro was created in 1760 and officially became the county seat in 1764. For four years the county government met in Redman's Field. The North Carolina State Legislature met here once in 1787 and again in 1987. President George Washington
is known to have slept in Tarboro during a visit on his 1791 Southern tour, and is noted to have said of our town that it was "as good a salute as could be given with one piece of artillery.”
According to the book, Edgecombe County: Twelve North Carolina Counties in 1810-1811, by Dr Jeremiah Battle, a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Elisha Battle, the following is an 1810 account of the town on pages 82–83:
“Tarboro, the only town in the county, is handsomely situated on the south-west bank of Tar River
, just above the mouth of Hendrick's Creek, in lat. 35 deg. 45 min. It is forty-eight miles west by north from Washington, thirty-six south of Halifax, eighty-three northwest of Newbern, and sixty-eight east of Raleigh. It was laid off into lots in the year 1760. The streets are seventy-two feet wide, and cross each other at right angles, leaving squares of 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) each. These squares being divided into lots of 0.5 acres (2,023.4 m²), makes every lot front or face two streets.
“There are about fifty private houses in it; and generally from fifteen to twenty stores, a church, a jail, two warehouses, and a large Court House, which in the year 1785 was used for the sitting of the State Legislature. There are several good springs adjacent to the town, but for culinary purposes almost every person or family has a well; and some of these wells afford good water the greater part of the year. This place affords good encouragement to all industrious persons, particularly merchants of almost every description. Sixty or seventy merchants have had full employment here at one time. But such of them as have emigrated to this place have too soon found themselves in prosperous situations, and have betaken themselves to idleness and dissipation.
“Merchants generally do well here, and there has scarcely been an instance of failing in the place. There are a few well built private houses, some of which have lately been finished. The style of building is as it is in the county, generally plain and cheap. The jail and one of the store houses are of brick.
“Adjacent to the town is the county seat of General Thomas Blount, where he has lately built a very good house, the best that is in the county. This is a beautiful eminence overlooking the town. An extensive green surrounds the house, back of which is a tract of twenty or thirty acres of rich swamp land, well ditched and drained, and is in a high state of cultivation.”
drills, the Town Common is the only remaining original common on the east coast outside of Boston
.
Within that Historic District is the Blount-Bridgers House, an 1808 Federal-style mansion that houses several important document collections and works by nationally recognized artist and Tarboro native Hobson Pittman. Opened as a museum in 1982, the Blount-Bridgers House also serves as the town’s art and civic center. A Historic District National Recreation Trail beginning at the Blount-Bridgers Houseguides visitors through the scenic older neighborhoods of the town. The district includes five 18th century homes with the oldest being the Archibald White house (ca. 1785) located on the corner of Church and Trade St. Over two dozen antebellum homes from 1800-1860 grace the district. The largest section is late 19th and early 20th century and includes Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical revival, and arts and crafts style homes. The town's charming and walkable downtown is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Main Street Program.”.
Also within the Historic District, at the cross of North Church Street and Albemarle Avenue, is the Tarboro-Edgecombe Farmers' Market. Within the last ten years or so, not much has changed about the building. It is a show of the character of the people of Tarboro, and a great place for families and locals to visit, especially during the summertime. The market operates on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 10 am, and Saturdays from 8 am to 11 am. There are also a variety of events, including the kickoff at the Tarboro Commons Festival, and upcoming events like the new Blueberry Day starting this year.
and U.S. 64 allow for access to and from the East Coast’s major markets, many of which are within one day’s drive. It is approximately 72 miles (115.9 km) from Raleigh
, the state capital, 25 miles (40.2 km) from Greenville
, a primary eastern NC hub, 10–15 miles from Rocky Mount, NC and two hours from the Outer Banks
. Tarboro is also convenient to area and regional airports, freight and passenger train service, interstate and intrastate highway systems, and the deep water ports of Morehead City and Wilmington, NC.
Major highways:
U.S. 64: Four-laned from Tarboro to Raleigh
. Soon to be four-laned from Tarboro to North Carolina's famed Outer Banks
.
U.S. 258: A major north-south link between the Norfolk area and Jacksonville, NC.
I-95: Located just 20 miles (32.2 km) west of Tarboro (accessed via four-laned U.S. 64), this major interstate provides access to Washington, D.C., New York
, the Northeast and Florida
.
N.C. 44: Serves as a link to I-95 to the west of Tarboro and to the Norfolk area to the east.
Airports:
Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport: This facility has a 4,500' paved and lighted runway with a 1,000' approach apron from both ends, accommodating a wide variety of small general aviation aircraft.
Pitt-Greenville Airport
: Located approximately 24 miles (38.6 km) from Tarboro, this airport has a 6,000' lighted precision approach runway, a 5,000' lighted non-precision crosswind runway and a 2,700' unlighted visual approach runway. PGV provides commuter service to Charlotte's Douglas International Airport through USAir Express with 11 daily flights. Jet service is available. All aircraft services are available, including charters.
Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport: Only 25 miles (40.2 km) from Tarboro, this airport has one runway which is lighted and extends a length of 7,100'.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
: More commonly known as RDU, this major international airport serves the U.S and abroad. Located only 80 miles (128.7 km) from Tarboro, RDU hosts numerous major carriers with daily departures. Additionally, numerous commuter carriers connect RDU to the northeast and other southern cities.
Rail:
Tarboro has access to both freight and passenger rail service. Amtrak
provides two north and two southbound trains per day at its Rocky Mount station, located only 15 miles (24.1 km) from Tarboro. Service is to Washington, D.C.
, New York
, Miami and Philadelphia. Additionally, Amtrak stops in Greensboro
with service to Atlanta and New Orleans.
Freight service is provided by CSX. Trains travel to destinations in eastern North Carolina and also to points west and south of town.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²), of which, 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.41% water.
of 2010, there are 11,427 people, 4,359 households, and 2,972 families residing in the town. The population density
is 1,145.4 people per square mile (442.4/km²). There are 4,911 housing units at an average density of 505.0 per square mile (195.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 51.03% White, 46.64% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.56% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 5.26% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,359 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% are married couples
living together, 18.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $34,400, and the median income for a family is $42,938. Males have a median income of $29,889 versus $22,718 for females. The per capita income
for the town is $17,120. 15.3% of the population and 11.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.0% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
In 1998, Heritage joined University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina
. More than 20 specialties are represented by Heritage's medical staff. In addition to acute care, services include rehabilitation, oncology and outpatient clinics.
Edgecombe County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 55,606 people, 20,392 households, and 14,804 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 24,002 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile...
. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Rocky Mount metropolitan area
The Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties – Edgecombe and Nash – in eastern North Carolina, anchored by the city of Rocky Mount...
. As of 2010, the town had a total population of 13,121. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Edgecombe County
Edgecombe County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 55,606 people, 20,392 households, and 14,804 families residing in the county. The population density was 110 people per square mile . There were 24,002 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile...
. Tarboro is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks
Inner Banks
The Inner Banks is a term used by some to describe the inland coastal region of eastern North Carolina, an area on the East Coast of the United States that is 22,227 square-miles by its broadest definition...
region. It has many historical churches, some dating back to the early 18th century.
Historic Tarboro, North Carolina, was chartered in 1760. Nestled in a bend of the Tar River
Tar River
The Tar River is a river that is approximately long, of northeast North Carolina flowing generally southeast to an estuary of Pamlico Sound. The Tar River becomes the tidal Pamlico River once it underpasses the U.S...
, it was an important river port
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
, the head of navigation on the Tar. As early as the 1730s a small community formed due to this natural asset, and a warehouse, customs office and other commercial concerns together with a score of "plain and cheap" houses made a bustling village.
The locals were a scrappy bunch, and gave the early governors and their agents a hard time. Edgecombe County residents came down hard on the side of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, many serving as officers in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
. One such was Thomas Blount (1759–1812), whose handsome plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
house "The Grove
The Grove
The Grove may refer to:Canada* Lakefield College School , a boarding schoolUnited Kingdom* The Emirates Stadium, sometimes called "The Grove" in reference to its pre-sponsorship name, "Ashburton Grove"...
" has been restored and is open for tours on a daily basis. Blount was a very young officer, spent time in England as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
, but returned to North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
to participate in one of the largest merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
/shipping companies in late 18th century America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
"The Grove" was also home to Col. Louis Dicken Wilson
Louis Dicken Wilson
Louis Dicken Wilson was an North Carolinian politician and general in the United States Army. He served in the General Assembly of North Carolina and the North Carolina Senate for in various terms between 1814 and 1846. Wilson County, North Carolina is named in his honor.He was a member of the...
(1789–1847), who served in the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
and fought in the Mexican-American War, and Col. John Luther Bridgers (1821–1884), Commandant of Ft. Macon in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Civil War General William Dorsey Pender is buried in Calvary Churchyard in Tarboro. Pender was considered one of the most promising young generals in Lee's army when he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. He is memorialized in the name of Pender County, North Carolina, founded in 1875. Pender is the posthumous author of The General to his Lady: The Civil War letters of William Dorsey Pender to Fanny Pender, published in 1965.
History
Created in 1760, Tarboro is the ninth oldest incorporated town in North Carolina. The town served the area as an important Colonial river port and thriving trade center until the Civil War.Although it is generally agreed that the area around Tarboro was settled by 1733, Mosley's map of that year shows only Tuscarora Native Americans. By 1850, the area was widely known as "Tawboro,” a name attributed to "Taw,” the Native American word for "river of health.” Tarrburg, as the town was called on maps of 1770-75, was chartered November 30, 1760 as Tarborough by the General Assembly. In September of the same year, Joseph and Ester Howell deeded 150 acres (607,029 m²) of their property to the Reverend James Moir, Lawrence Toole (a merchant), Captains Aquilla Sugg and Elisha Battle, and Benjamin Hart, Esquire, for five shillings and one peppercorn. As commissioners, these men were to lay out a town with lots not exceeding 0.5 acres (2,023.4 m²) and streets not wider than 80 feet (24.4 m), with 12 lots and a 50 acres (202,343 m²) "common" set aside for public use. Lots were to be sold for two pounds, with the proceeds to be turned over to the Howells; however, full payment was not received for all of the 109 lots sold, and some were not sold for the 40 shillings price.
After Halifax County
Halifax County
Halifax County is the name of three counties:*In Canada:**Halifax County, Nova Scotia*In the United States:**Halifax County, North Carolina**Halifax County, Virginia...
was divided out of Edgecombe County in 1758-1759, the original county seat of Enfield remained in Halifax County. Edgecombe County needed a new county seat. Tarboro was created in 1760 and officially became the county seat in 1764. For four years the county government met in Redman's Field. The North Carolina State Legislature met here once in 1787 and again in 1987. President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
is known to have slept in Tarboro during a visit on his 1791 Southern tour, and is noted to have said of our town that it was "as good a salute as could be given with one piece of artillery.”
According to the book, Edgecombe County: Twelve North Carolina Counties in 1810-1811, by Dr Jeremiah Battle, a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Elisha Battle, the following is an 1810 account of the town on pages 82–83:
“Tarboro, the only town in the county, is handsomely situated on the south-west bank of Tar River
Tar River
The Tar River is a river that is approximately long, of northeast North Carolina flowing generally southeast to an estuary of Pamlico Sound. The Tar River becomes the tidal Pamlico River once it underpasses the U.S...
, just above the mouth of Hendrick's Creek, in lat. 35 deg. 45 min. It is forty-eight miles west by north from Washington, thirty-six south of Halifax, eighty-three northwest of Newbern, and sixty-eight east of Raleigh. It was laid off into lots in the year 1760. The streets are seventy-two feet wide, and cross each other at right angles, leaving squares of 2 acres (8,093.7 m²) each. These squares being divided into lots of 0.5 acres (2,023.4 m²), makes every lot front or face two streets.
“There are about fifty private houses in it; and generally from fifteen to twenty stores, a church, a jail, two warehouses, and a large Court House, which in the year 1785 was used for the sitting of the State Legislature. There are several good springs adjacent to the town, but for culinary purposes almost every person or family has a well; and some of these wells afford good water the greater part of the year. This place affords good encouragement to all industrious persons, particularly merchants of almost every description. Sixty or seventy merchants have had full employment here at one time. But such of them as have emigrated to this place have too soon found themselves in prosperous situations, and have betaken themselves to idleness and dissipation.
“Merchants generally do well here, and there has scarcely been an instance of failing in the place. There are a few well built private houses, some of which have lately been finished. The style of building is as it is in the county, generally plain and cheap. The jail and one of the store houses are of brick.
“Adjacent to the town is the county seat of General Thomas Blount, where he has lately built a very good house, the best that is in the county. This is a beautiful eminence overlooking the town. An extensive green surrounds the house, back of which is a tract of twenty or thirty acres of rich swamp land, well ditched and drained, and is in a high state of cultivation.”
Tarboro Historic District
Created by the National Park Service in 1977, the 45-block Historic District boasts over 300 structures from the residential dwellings to historic churches to original 19th century storefronts along Tarboro’s Main Street. The gateway to the Tarboro Historic District is the town’s Town Common, a 15 acres (60,702.9 m²) park canopied by tall oaks and accented war memorials. The Town Common originally surrounded the town and is the second oldest legislated town common in the country. Initially the location for common grazing of livestock, community gatherings and militaryMilitary
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
drills, the Town Common is the only remaining original common on the east coast outside of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Within that Historic District is the Blount-Bridgers House, an 1808 Federal-style mansion that houses several important document collections and works by nationally recognized artist and Tarboro native Hobson Pittman. Opened as a museum in 1982, the Blount-Bridgers House also serves as the town’s art and civic center. A Historic District National Recreation Trail beginning at the Blount-Bridgers Houseguides visitors through the scenic older neighborhoods of the town. The district includes five 18th century homes with the oldest being the Archibald White house (ca. 1785) located on the corner of Church and Trade St. Over two dozen antebellum homes from 1800-1860 grace the district. The largest section is late 19th and early 20th century and includes Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical revival, and arts and crafts style homes. The town's charming and walkable downtown is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Main Street Program.”.
Also within the Historic District, at the cross of North Church Street and Albemarle Avenue, is the Tarboro-Edgecombe Farmers' Market. Within the last ten years or so, not much has changed about the building. It is a show of the character of the people of Tarboro, and a great place for families and locals to visit, especially during the summertime. The market operates on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 10 am, and Saturdays from 8 am to 11 am. There are also a variety of events, including the kickoff at the Tarboro Commons Festival, and upcoming events like the new Blueberry Day starting this year.
Location and transportation
Tarboro’s proximity to Interstate 95Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
and U.S. 64 allow for access to and from the East Coast’s major markets, many of which are within one day’s drive. It is approximately 72 miles (115.9 km) from Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, the state capital, 25 miles (40.2 km) from Greenville
Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina...
, a primary eastern NC hub, 10–15 miles from Rocky Mount, NC and two hours from the Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
. Tarboro is also convenient to area and regional airports, freight and passenger train service, interstate and intrastate highway systems, and the deep water ports of Morehead City and Wilmington, NC.
Major highways:
U.S. 64: Four-laned from Tarboro to Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. Soon to be four-laned from Tarboro to North Carolina's famed Outer Banks
Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile long string of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, beginning in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach on the east coast of the United States....
.
U.S. 258: A major north-south link between the Norfolk area and Jacksonville, NC.
I-95: Located just 20 miles (32.2 km) west of Tarboro (accessed via four-laned U.S. 64), this major interstate provides access to Washington, D.C., New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the Northeast and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
N.C. 44: Serves as a link to I-95 to the west of Tarboro and to the Norfolk area to the east.
Airports:
Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport: This facility has a 4,500' paved and lighted runway with a 1,000' approach apron from both ends, accommodating a wide variety of small general aviation aircraft.
Pitt-Greenville Airport
Pitt-Greenville Airport
Pitt-Greenville Airport is a public airport located two miles north of East Carolina University, the central business district of Greenville, a city in Pitt County, North Carolina, USA. The airport covers and has three runways. It is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by one...
: Located approximately 24 miles (38.6 km) from Tarboro, this airport has a 6,000' lighted precision approach runway, a 5,000' lighted non-precision crosswind runway and a 2,700' unlighted visual approach runway. PGV provides commuter service to Charlotte's Douglas International Airport through USAir Express with 11 daily flights. Jet service is available. All aircraft services are available, including charters.
Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport: Only 25 miles (40.2 km) from Tarboro, this airport has one runway which is lighted and extends a length of 7,100'.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a public international airport located 4.5 miles northeast of the town of Morrisville in suburban Wake County, North Carolina, United States. The airport covers and operates three runways, providing direct service to 40 domestic and international...
: More commonly known as RDU, this major international airport serves the U.S and abroad. Located only 80 miles (128.7 km) from Tarboro, RDU hosts numerous major carriers with daily departures. Additionally, numerous commuter carriers connect RDU to the northeast and other southern cities.
Rail:
Tarboro has access to both freight and passenger rail service. Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
provides two north and two southbound trains per day at its Rocky Mount station, located only 15 miles (24.1 km) from Tarboro. Service is to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Miami and Philadelphia. Additionally, Amtrak stops in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
with service to Atlanta and New Orleans.
Freight service is provided by CSX. Trains travel to destinations in eastern North Carolina and also to points west and south of town.
Geography
Tarboro is located at 35°54'10" North, 77°32'45" West (35.902850, -77.545959).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 9.8 square miles (25.4 km²), of which, 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.41% water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2010, there are 11,427 people, 4,359 households, and 2,972 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is 1,145.4 people per square mile (442.4/km²). There are 4,911 housing units at an average density of 505.0 per square mile (195.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town is 51.03% White, 46.64% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.56% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 5.26% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,359 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% are married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% are non-families. 28.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 84.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.3 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $34,400, and the median income for a family is $42,938. Males have a median income of $29,889 versus $22,718 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town is $17,120. 15.3% of the population and 11.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 21.0% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Population trends
The population of Tarboro has steadily grown over the past three decades even while the population of Edgecombe County has declined. The 2008 estimate was 10,383 based on the County’s negative growth trend, but should be corrected to accurately indicate Tarboro’s population stability and steady growth upon completion of the 2010 Census. A good indicator of the estimates' inaccuracy is the 4% growth between 1989–1990 and 5% growth between 1999-2000. Based on new construction and occupancy rates the Town feels that this trend will continue with an increase in population from the 2000 Census count upon completion of the 2010 Census.Heritage Hospital
Heritage Hospital is a full-service, 117-bed acute care facility where residents of Tarboro, Edgecombe County and surrounding communities receive a wide range of health services close to home.In 1998, Heritage joined University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina
University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina is a non-profit hospital system made up of eight hospitals in 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina. UHS leases or owns seven and manages one hospital. It also includes physician practices, home health, hospice, wellness centers and other health care...
. More than 20 specialties are represented by Heritage's medical staff. In addition to acute care, services include rehabilitation, oncology and outpatient clinics.
Notable residents and natives
- L.H. Fountain, former U.S. Representative
- Brian HargroveBrian HargroveDavid Brian Hargrove is an American television writer and producer.He earned his BFA degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and studied acting at the Juilliard School...
, television writer/producer.
- Ben JonesBen Jones (US)Ben Lewis Jones is an American actor, politician, playwright and essayist, probably best known for his role as Cooter Davenport in The Dukes of Hazzard. Jones was elected to be a member of the United States House of Representatives in 1988 and re-elected in 1990. He served for four years, until Jan...
, politician, actor famous for role as CooterCooter DavenportCooter Davenport is a fictional character from the American TV show The Dukes of Hazzard. He was played by Ben Jones.Cooter was the mechanic in the fictional Hazzard County, in Georgia. He owned The Hazzard County Garage in Hazzard County Square, directly across from the Police Department and the...
on The Dukes of HazzardThe Dukes of HazzardThe Dukes of Hazzard is an American television series that aired on the CBS television network from 1979 to 1985.The series was inspired by the 1975 film Moonrunners, which was also created by Gy Waldron and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.- Overview :The Dukes of Hazzard...
, born in Tarboro on August 30, 1941. - Kelvin BryantKelvin BryantKelvin LeRoy Bryant is a former American football running back in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-College career:...
, retired Washington Redskins running back - General Joseph K. SpiersJoseph K. SpiersMajor General Joseph K. Spiers is a retired United States Air Force general.Spiers was born in Tarboro, North Carolina. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University and a master of science degree in aerospace engineering through the Air...
- Trent Tucker, former NBA player for the New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, and Chicago BullsChicago BullsThe Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. - Burgess WhiteheadBurgess WhiteheadBurgess Urquhart "Whitey" Whitehead was a Major League Baseball second baseman from 1933 to 1946. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Pirates.-Biography:...
(b. June 29, 1910 - d. November 25, 1993), Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player during the 1930s and 1940s. Played primarily second base for the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1933–1935), New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1936–1941), and Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1946). - General Hugh SheltonHugh SheltonGeneral Henry Hugh Shelton is a retired American career military officer of the United States Army. He served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001.-Early life, family and education:...
, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - Mike Caldwell, MLB player for the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, Cincinnati RedCincinnati RedGregory Scott Daves is an American semi-retired professional wrestler. He is best known by his ring name Cincinnati Red.-National Wrestling Conference :...
, and Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - George Henry White, first elected Black from 2nd Congressional District to the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Joseph Blount Cheshire (1850–1932), Episcopal bishop of North Carolina from 1893 until 1932