Greenville, North Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greenville
City
Downtown Greenville
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  The Emerald City
Motto(s):  "Find Yourself in Good Company"
Greenville Location in North Carolina Show map of North Carolina Greenville Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	North Carolina
County	Pitt
Settled	1771
Founded	1774 (Martinsborough)
Founded	1786 (Greenville)
Named for	Nathanael Greene
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• Total	38.20 sq mi (98.95 km2)
• Land	37.44 sq mi (96.97 km2)
• Water	0.76 sq mi (1.98 km2)  1.99%
Elevation	26 ft (8 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	87,521
• Estimate  (2023)	90,053
• Rank	12th in North Carolina
• Density	2,337.63/sq mi (902.55/km2)
• Urban	120,150 (US: 280th)
• Urban density	1,810.1/sq mi (698.9/km2)
• Metro	175,119 (US: 252nd)
Demonym(s)	Greenvillian
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	27833, 27834, 27835, 27836, 27858
Area code	252
FIPS code	37-28080
GNIS feature ID	2403753
Interstate Highways	I-587

Greenville is a city in North Carolina, United States. It's the main city of Pitt County. Greenville is known as a center for health, fun, and education in eastern North Carolina.

As of 2020, about 87,521 people live in Greenville. The city has grown a lot, especially in the last 100 years. Many big companies have moved their offices here. These include Grady-White Boats and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Greenville is also home to East Carolina University, a large college, and ECU Health Medical Center, a major hospital.

History of Greenville

How Greenville Started

Greenville began in 1771 as "Martinsborough." It was named after the governor at the time, Josiah Martin. In 1774, the town moved to where it is now, by the Tar River. In 1786, its name changed to Greenesville. This was to honor General Nathanael Greene, a hero from the American Revolutionary War. Later, the name was made shorter to Greenville.

Greenville in the 1800s

In its early days, the Tar River was important for travel and trade. Steamboats carried people and goods. Cotton was the main crop grown. Greenville became a big place for sending cotton to other areas. Later, tobacco became even more important than cotton. Greenville then became a top center for selling and storing tobacco.

Greenville in the 1900s

For over 100 years, Greenville was known for its tobacco market. It was also home to a small college. This college, started in 1907, was called East Carolina Teacher's Training School. By the 1960s, it grew much larger and became East Carolina University. The medical school, ECU Medical School, opened in 1977. Today, over 29,000 students attend ECU.

Greenville's economy really started to grow in 1963. New companies like Empire Brush moved into the city's industrial park. A big success came in 1968 when Burroughs Wellcome, a drug company, built a factory here. Now, this factory is owned by Patheon, a Thermo Fisher Scientific company. Many other large businesses have also come to Greenville. These include Catalent and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling.

Hurricane Floyd's Impact

Tar River flooding homes after Hurricane Floyd

In September 1999, Hurricane Floyd hit eastern North Carolina. It brought almost 17 inches (43 cm) of rain. Many people didn't know about the flooding until water entered their homes. The Tar River flooded very badly, reaching levels seen only once every 500 years. This was after another hurricane, Dennis, had already brought a lot of rain.

The damage in Pitt County was about $1.6 billion. Some people in Greenville had to swim to get to their homes. Because of the heavy flooding, the East Carolina Pirates football team had to play their game in Raleigh. They still won against Miami, 27–23!

Greenville in the 2000s

In 2017, Greenville became a sister city with Yeonsu District in South Korea. This means they share a special friendship and cultural exchange.

Greenville's Location and Weather

Greenville is located in the inner Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The city covers about 38.20 square miles (98.95 km²). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Greenville's Climate

Greenville has a humid subtropical climate. This means summers are hot and humid. Winters are mild to cool, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -4°F (-20°C). Summers are very hot, often reaching the 90s°F (32-37°C). The city has even seen temperatures of 100°F (38°C) or more in summer months.

Greenville's People

2020 Census Information

In 2020, Greenville had 87,521 people living there. There were 37,402 households and 18,115 families.

2010 Census Information

In 2010, the Greenville area had 174,263 residents. The city itself had a population density of about 2,364 people per square mile (913 per km²). This made it the most crowded city in Eastern North Carolina.

The people living in Greenville were from many backgrounds. About 60.20% were White, 32.14% were African American, and 5.06% were Hispanic or Latino. There were also Asian Americans, Native Americans, and people of two or more races.

The average household had 2.18 people. The average family had 2.91 people. About 18.8% of the population was under 18 years old. About 28.7% were between 18 and 24, many of whom are college students.

Religions in Greenville

Most people in Greenville are Protestant Christian. There are many Baptists, Episcopalians, and Methodists. Other Christian groups are also present.

The Roman Catholic community has grown. This is due to people moving to the area for work and school. There are two main Catholic churches: St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother and St. Peter Catholic Church. St. Peter's has a school for grades K-8. John Paul II Catholic High School serves grades 9-12.

Greenville also has a growing Jewish community. Congregation Bayt Shalom is a synagogue there. The city also has an Islamic Mosque and a Hindu Temple. Some people in Greenville do not identify with any religion.

Greenville's Economy

Greenville's economy mostly depends on its hospital system and East Carolina University. The city also has many companies that make things, like medicines, and work in science. Famous YouTuber MrBeast is from Greenville. Other companies include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Avient, and Hyster-Yale Materials Handling.

In 2024, two international companies chose Greenville for their first factories in the United States. Boviet Solar, a company from Vietnam, will make solar panels here. They plan to create over 900 new jobs. Nipro Medical Corporation, a Japanese company, will build a new factory for medical devices. They will create over 200 jobs.

Minges Bottling Group, which bottles Pepsi, is located near Greenville. Greenville is also home to The HammockSource, the world's largest hammock maker.

The biggest employer in Greenville is ECU Health. East Carolina University is the second largest.

Arts and Culture in Greenville

ECU Student Center

Greenville offers many cultural events. East Carolina University hosts concerts, plays, dance shows, and talks. The Greenville Museum of Art shows local art and special exhibits. Over 3,000 children join programs at the museum each year.

Theater is growing in Greenville. Groups like the Greenville Theater Project put on shows. Smiles and Frowns Playhouse creates plays for children.

For music lovers, the East Carolina Musical Arts Education Foundation offers organ and choir concerts. The large Fisk organ at St. Paul's Episcopal Church is used for teaching and performances.

Dance is also popular. The Greenville Civic Ballet and the North Carolina Academy of Dance Arts put on performances. They showcase different dance styles, including traditional ballets like The Nutcracker.

Thousands gather for a Freeboot Friday concert in Uptown.

Many restaurants and clubs have live music on weekends. The "Umbrella Market" happens every Wednesday in warmer months. It features local farmers and craft makers. "Freeboot Friday" is a pep-rally with live music before ECU home football games. Downtown Greenville is known for its big annual Halloween street party. It also has many bars and nightclubs because ECU's campus is nearby. Sup Dogs Restaurant has been named the "Best College Bar in America" multiple times.

Downtown Greenville has been greatly improved and is now called Uptown Greenville. It's a center for arts and fun. Uptown Greenville has over 20 restaurants and 25 shops. It hosts events like Sunday in the Park and the Uptown Art Walk. Many people now choose to live in Uptown Greenville.

Kayaking the Tar River

When the weather is nice, people enjoy the Tar River. Kayaking, fishing, and boating are popular. There are also trails for camping and walking along the river. The city is planning an adventure park north of the Tar River. It will have activities like running, hiking, biking, and water sports. Greenville also has over 9 miles (14 km) of greenway trails. These connect the medical and university areas with Uptown and the Tar River.

Shopping in Greenville

Greenville is a major shopping spot for the Inner Banks area. It has many large stores and specialty shops. Big shopping centers include Greenville Mall, University Commons, and Lynncroft. La Promenade and Arlington Village have over 60 shops and restaurants. A new shopping center called 11 Galleria is also being built.

Historic Places to See

Greenville has many historic sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the College View Historic District, Dickinson Avenue Historic District, and the Greenville Commercial Historic District. Other notable places are the E. B. Ficklen House, James L. Fleming House, and the U.S. Post Office.

Sports in Greenville

ECU's sports teams are called the Pirates. They play in NCAA Division I FBS. Their football games are held at the 50,000-seat Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium. Basketball games are at the 8,000-seat Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. Baseball is played at Clark-LeClair Stadium. There's also a new softball stadium and other sports facilities.

Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park

Greenville has a strong history in Little League Baseball. Greenville Little Leagues started in 1951. In 1998, a Greenville team reached the semi-finals of the Little League World Series. In 2017, another Greenville team made it to the United States Championship Game. They even threw two no-hitters in a row!

Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park is where Little League baseball is played in Greenville. Greenville teams have also won many Babe Ruth Baseball titles. In 2012, the 13u Greenville All-Stars reached the championship game of the Babe Ruth League World Series.

Greenville is home to the Greenville United Football Club. This soccer team joined the National Premier Soccer League in 2023. Their games are played at John Paul II Catholic High School.

Greenville also used to have minor league baseball teams, like the Greenville Greenies. They played from the 1920s to the 1950s.

There are two main running groups in Greenville: GoRun and Greenville Running group. A large bicycling group, EC Velo, also rides around the city weekly.

Sports tourism is very important for Greenville's economy. The Greenville-Pitt County Sports Commission helps bring big events to the city. Starting in 2021, Greenville became the home of the Little League Softball World Series.

Education in Greenville

All schools in Greenville are part of the Pitt County Schools (PCS) system. PCS was formed in 1985 when the county and city school systems joined. A 9-member Board of Education manages all schools in Greenville and Pitt County.

As of 2022, Pitt County has 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, and six traditional high schools. There are also two early college high schools and the Health Sciences Academy. In addition, there are ten private schools.

Elementary Schools

• Ayden Elementary School (K–5)
• Belvoir Elementary School (K–5)
• Bethel School (K-8)
• Chicod Elementary School (PreK–5)
• Creekside Elementary School (K–5)
• Eastern Elementary School (K–5)
• Elmhurst Elementary School (K–5)
• Falkland Elementary School (K–5)
• G.R. Whitfield School (K–8)
• Grifton School (K–8)
• H.B Sugg Elementary School (PK-2)
• Lakeforest Elementary School (K–5)
• Northwest Elementary School (K–5)
• Pactolus Elementary School (K–8)
• Ridgewood Elementary School (K–5)
• Sam D. Bundy Elementary School (3-5)
• South Greenville Elementary School (K–5)
• Stokes Elementary School (K–8)
• Wahl-Coates Elementary School (K–5)
• W.H. Robinson Elementary School (K–5)
• Wintergreen Primary School (K–2)
• Wintergreen Intermediate School (3–5)

Middle Schools

• A.G. Cox Middle School (6–8)
• Ayden Middle School (6–8)
• Chicod Middle School
• C.M. Eppes Middle School (6–8)
• E.B. Aycock Middle School (6–8)
• Farmville Middle School (6–8)
• Hope Middle School (6–8)
• Wellcome Middle School (6–8)

Public High Schools

• Ayden-Grifton High School (9–12)
• D. H. Conley High School (9–12)
• Farmville Central High School (9–12)
• Junius H. Rose High School (9–12)
• North Pitt High School (9–12)
• South Central High School (9–12)

Colleges and Universities

• East Carolina University
• Miller-Motte Technical College
• Pitt Community College
• Shaw University (a smaller campus)

Private Schools

• St. Paul's Episcopal Church Pre-School
• Brookhaven Christian School (K–8)
• Calvary Christian Academy (K–12)
• Christ Covenant School (K–12)
• Community Christian Academy (K–6)
• Faith Christian Academy (PK–5)
• Greenville Christian Academy (PK–12)
• Greenville Montessori School (PK–6)
• Montessori Today Inc. (PK)
• Pope John Paul II Catholic High School (9–12)
• St. Peter's Catholic School (PK–8)
• The Oakwood School (PK–12)
• Trinity Christian School (K–12)
• Victoria Christian Academy Christian Academy (K–12)

Media in Greenville

Newspapers and Magazines

The Daily Reflector is the main daily newspaper in Greenville. It's the city's oldest business. Other publications include G-Vegas Magazine, The Greenville Times, and The East Carolinian.

Radio Stations

Greenville has many radio stations playing different types of music and shows:

• 1070 AM – WNCT (Beach, Boogie & Blues)
• 1250 AM – WGHB (Sports)
• 1340 AM – WOOW (Gospel)
• 1570 AM – WECU (Sports)
• 91.3 FM – WZMB (East Carolina University station)
• 92.1 FM – WRSV (Urban)
• 93.3 FM – WERO (Top 40 Hits)
• 97.5 FM – WLGT (Contemporary Christian)
• 99.5 FM - WMJV (Hot Adult Contemporary)
• 101.9 FM – WIKS (Hip Hop)
• 103.7 FM – WTIB (Talk)
• 104.5 FM – WSTK (Traditional Gospel Music)
• 106.9 FM – WBIS-LPFM (Traditional gospel & Christian music)
• 107.9 FM – WNCT (Adult Contemporary)

Television Stations

Several TV stations are based in Greenville:

• WNCT-TV – Greenville (CBS affiliate/The CW on DT2)
• WYDO-TV – Greenville (Fox affiliate)
• WUNK-TV – Greenville (PBS affiliate, part of the UNC-TV Network)
• WEPX-TV – Greenville (Ion Network affiliate)

Other TV stations that serve Greenville are from nearby cities:

• WITN-TV – Washington (NBC affiliate/My Network TV & Weather on DT2)
• WCTI-TV – New Bern (ABC affiliate/This TV & Other Programs on DT2)
• GPAT-TV – Greenville (Suddenlink Cable Channel 23 – Public access)
• GTV9 – Greenville's City Government channel (Suddenlink Cable TV Channel 9)

Voice of America (VOA)

Greenville used to have the largest transmitter site for the Voice of America. This was a U.S. government program that sent shortwave radio broadcasts around the world. The station helped send programs to places like Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. It was once the biggest international broadcasting site in the world. Now, two of the three sites have been closed.

Getting Around Greenville

Transportation Options

Major highways that go through Greenville include:

• US 13 (Dickinson Avenue)
• US 258
• US 264
• NC 11 (Memorial Drive)
• NC 33
• NC 43 (5th Street, Charles Boulevard)
• NC 903

Trains carry goods through Greenville on lines run by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway.

For public transportation, the G.K. Butterfield Transportation Center connects Uptown Greenville to local bus services. You can also catch intercity bus service like Greyhound Lines there. East Carolina University has its own bus service for students.

If you need to fly, the Pitt-Greenville Airport has daily flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Greenville also has a greenway system for walking and biking. Parts of the South Tar River Greenway were finished in 2009 and 2011. More sections are planned. The NCDOT Rail Division is also looking into bringing Amtrak passenger train service to Greenville from Raleigh.

Famous People from Greenville

See also

In Spanish: Greenville (Carolina del Norte) para niños