Greenville, North Carolina

As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 60,476, although this did not include all of the college students with temporary residences. In 2004, it was estimated that the city's population was near 70,000. The Greenville Metro Area includes approximately 145,000 residents. It is the county seat of Pitt County and the home of East Carolina University.

On March 19, 1861 during the American Civil War, the Battle of Bentonville began here. By the end of the battle on the 21st Confederate forces had retreated from the area.

Greenville is also the birthplace of the Atlanta Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler, Chic bass player and producer the late Bernard Edwards, Rapper Petey Pablo, and world famous Jazz pianist, composer, teacher and lecturer Billy Taylor.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 68.0 km² (26.3 mi²). 66.3 km² (25.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.59% water.

Demographics

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

In the city the population is spread out with 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 are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $28,648, and the median income for a family is $44,491. Males have a median income of $31,847 versus $26,324 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,476. 26.1% of the population and 15.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.1% of those under the age of 18 and 20.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Culture

Greenville serves as a regional entertainment hub for all of Eastern North Carolina. The area boasts a vast array of restaurants catering to tastes for down-home favorites to gourmet specialties. Many restaurants within the city have been recognized nationally for everything from their barbecue to their wine selection.

The retail sector has acquired a regional draw bringing shoppers to Greenville from all over Eastern North Carolina. Numerous options offer shoppers variety in price, selection, and style, and range from consignment shops to boutiques, malls to commercial strips, and galleries to showrooms.

Culture permeates on and off the East Carolina University campus. On almost any given evening, East Carolina University offers first-class musical concerts, theatrical and dance productions, travel films, and lectures. Antique stores are scattered throughout the county and offer a number of unique treasures. Also, art galleries abound featuring major art collections, traveling exhibits, and the work of local and regional artists. County-wide festivals round out the calendar celebrating everything from collards to watermelons and offer something for all ages.

Athletics predominate the area and the fans are avid. The city and all of Eastern North Carolina have a great passion for the East Carolina University Pirates. ECU Pirates offer sporting seasons sure to get everyone on their feet cheering. Certainly, Football dominates the ECU athletic scene. However, other notable teams include the ECU Mens and Womens Basketball Teams (http://www.ecupirates.com), the ECU Baseball Team (http://www.ecupirates.com), the ECU Softball Team (http://www.ecupirates.com), ECU Track and Field (http://www.ecupirates.com), the ECU Swimming Teams (http://www.ecupirates.com) and the ECU Golf Teams (http://www.ecupirates.com). Greenville is also home to the Eastern Regional High School Football and Basketball Tournament, NC Senior Games, and hosted the Babe Ruth World Series Girl’s Softball Tournament in the Summer of 2002.

Numerous trendy restaurants and nightclubs offer live entertainment in the evenings on the weekends and Uptown Greenville has a district that includes numerous venue options. Freeboot Friday in the fall and Sunday in the Park offer great opportunities to enjoy friends and family and the seasons. And, area coffee shops provide a chance to chat with an old friend or enjoy a good book. Since the early 1980s, the city's downtown section has been called G-Vegas by locals, and the downtown area is known on the national level for its annual large Halloween street party.

Educational Institutions