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New Bern, NC

Frequently asked questions

New Bern, NC

New Bern (formerly Newbern) is a city in and the county seat of Craven County, North Carolina, United States. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 31,291.

It is located at the confluence of the Neuse and the Trent rivers, near the headwaters of Pamlico Sound on the North Carolina coast. It lies 112 miles (180 km) east of Raleigh, 89 miles (143 km) north of Wilmington, and 162 miles (261 km) south of Norfolk. New Bern is the birthplace of Pepsi.

New Bern was founded in October 1710 by the Palatines and Swiss under the leadership of Christoph von Graffenried. The new colonists named their settlement after Bern, the Swiss region from which many of the colonists and their patron had emigrated. The flag and arms of the American city are nearly identical to those of the Swiss canton. The English connection with Switzerland had been established by some Marian exiles who sought refuge in Protestant parts of Switzerland. There were also marriages between the House of Stuart and notable people in the history of Calvinism. The colonists later discovered they had started their settlement on the site of a former Tuscarora village named Chattoka. This caused conflicts with the Tuscaroras who were in the area.

New Bern is the second-oldest European-settled colonial town in North Carolina, after Bath. It served as the capital of North Carolina from 1770 to 1792. After the American Revolution (1775–1783), New Bern became wealthy and quickly developed a rich cultural life. At one time New Bern was called "the Athens of the South," renowned for its Masonic Temple and Athens Theater. These are both still very active today.

New Bern has four historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places; their numerous contributing buildings include residences, stores, and churches dating back to the early eighteenth century. Within walking distance of the waterfront are more than 164 homes and buildings listed on the National Register. Also nearby are several bed and breakfasts, hotels, restaurants, banks, antique stores, and specialty shops. The historic districts contain many of the city's 2,000 crape myrtles—its official flower—and developed gardens. New Bern has two "Local Historic Districts", a municipal zoning overlay that affords legal protection to the exteriors of New Bern's historic structures.

New Bern is located at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse rivers, two tidal waterways, in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.7 square miles (76.9 km²), of which 28.2 square miles (73.1 km²) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²), or 4.87%, is water.

U.S. routes 17 and 70 pass through the city, merging briefly as a four-lane expressway passing south of the city center. US 70 leads west 33 miles (53 km) to Kinston and southeast 35 miles (56 km) to Morehead City near the Atlantic Ocean. Raleigh, the state capital, is 112 miles (180 km) west via US 70. US 17 leads southwest 37 miles (60 km) to Jacksonville and crosses the Neuse River on a new bridge to lead north 36 miles (58 km) to Washington.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of life in New Bern, supported by the robust CCHC Healthcare. This prominent medical facility provides comprehensive healthcare services to the community. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the New Bern 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 TruFit Gyms & Fitness, Sound Fitness, and BERN FIT. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around New Bern, such as the Martin Marietta Park Loop and Neuse River Loop Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in New Bern, NC are Tryon Palace, North Carolina History Center, and Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola Store.

Population: 34,218 (2024). ZIP codes: 28560, 28562. Area code: 252. Elevation: 13 ft (4 m). Area: 29.95 sq mi (77.56 km²).

FAQs

What is the crime rate in New Bern, NC?

The crime rate in New Bern is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 26 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in New Bern is 1 in 39. Based on FBI crime data, New Bern is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to North Carolina, New Bern has a crime rate that is higher than 75% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

What is New Bern, NC famous for?

New Bern is home to the first Roman Catholic Church and parish in North Carolina. Pepsi was invented and first served in New Bern in 1898 by local pharmacist Caleb Bradham. Bayard Wootten, the groundbreaking female photographer, designed the first Pepsi-Cola logo.

Is New Bern, NC a good place to live?

Living in New Bern offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In New Bern, there are a lot of parks. Many families, young professionals, and retirees live in New Bern and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in New Bern are above average.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of New Bern

CCHC Healthcare

New Bern Parks and Recreation Department 

TruFit Gyms & Fitness

Sound Fitness 

BERN FIT

Martin Marietta Park Loop 

Neuse River Loop Trail

Tryon Palace

North Carolina History Center

Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola Store

Neighborhoodscout

Fun Facts

Niche

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