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Greenville, NC

Frequently asked questions

Greenville, NC

Greenville 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. The city has continued to see a population increase with a majority of the influx being seen during the 20th and early 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.

Greenville was 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, three miles (4.8 km) west of its original site. In 1786, the name was changed to Greenville in honor of General Nathanael Greene, the American Revolutionary War hero. It was later shortened to Greenville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.20 square miles (98.9 km²), of which 37.44 square miles (97.0 km²) is land and 0.76 square miles (2.0 km²) (1.99%) is water. It is located in the inner Coastal Plain.

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.

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.

The well-being of Greenville's residents is a priority, with a focus on health and wellness resources. ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC, is a renowned healthcare facility known for its comprehensive medical services and patient-centered care. It serves as a leading academic medical center, providing advanced treatments and innovative medical research while training the next generation of healthcare professionals. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Pitt County Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include  Snap Fitness, Champions Health & Fitness, and CrossFit Tier 1. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Greenville, such as the Greenville Greenways and Bicycle Post Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Greenville, NC are Greenville Museum of Art, River Park North, and City Art Gallery.

Population: 90,053 (2023). ZIP codes: 27833, 27834, 27835, 27836, 27858. Area code: 252. Elevation: 26 ft (8 m). Area: 38.20 sq mi (98.95 km²).

FAQs

What is Greenville, NC famous for?

Greenville is widely recognized as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of Eastern North Carolina. While retaining our Southern charm, Greenville has grown into the 10th largest city in the state and is now a thriving, small metropolitan city of more than 90,000 in the heart of Pitt County with a population of nearly 175,000 residents. Greenville is a growing university-medical community, home to East Carolina University and Vidant Medical Center, along with a strong industrial community. 

Is Greenville, NC a good place to live?

Greenville is in Pitt County and is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Living in Greenville offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Greenville, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Greenville and residents tend to lean liberal.

How far is Greenville, NC from the beach?

The total driving distance from Greenville, NC to Atlantic Beach, NC is 80 miles or 129 kilometers. Your trip begins in Greenville, North Carolina. It ends in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. If you are planning a road trip, you might also want to calculate the total driving time from Greenville, NC to Atlantic Beach, NC so you can see when you'll arrive at your destination.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Greenville, NC

ECU Health Medical Center 

Pitt County Parks and Recreation Department 

Snap Fitness

Champions Health & Fitness 

CrossFit Tier 1 

Greenville Greenways 

Bicycle Post Trail

Greenville Museum of Art

River Park North

City Art Gallery

About Greenville

Niche

Travel Math

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.