Pitt County, North Carolina Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Pitt County

U.S. county

Pitt County Courthouse in Greenville

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina

North Carolina's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

North Carolina

Founded

1760

Named for

William Pitt the Elder

Seat

Greenville

Largest city

Greenville

Area

• Total

655 sq mi (1,700 km²)

• Land

652 sq mi (1,690 km²)

• Water

2.9 sq mi (8 km²) 0.4%%

Population

• Estimate

(2021)

172,169

• Density

264.1/sq mi (102.0/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional districts

1st, 3rd

Pitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 170,243, making it the fourteenth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Greenville.

Pitt County comprises the Greenville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. As one of the fastest-growing centers in the state, the county has seen a population boom since 1990.

History

The county was formed in 1760 from Beaufort County, though the legislative act that created it did not become effective until January 1, 1761. It was named for William Pitt the Elder, who was then Secretary of State for the Southern Department and Leader of the House of Commons. William Pitt was an English statesman and orator, born in London, England. He studied at Oxford University and in 1731 joined the army. Pitt led the young "Patriot" Whigs and in 1756 became secretary of state, where he was a pro-freedom speaker in British Colonial government.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 655 square miles (1,700 km²), of which 652 square miles (1,690 km²) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Martin County - northeast
Beaufort County - east
Craven County - south-southeast
Lenoir County - south-southwest
Greene County - southwest
Wilson County - west
Edgecombe County - northwest

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1790	8,270	—
1800	9,084	9.8%
1810	9,169	0.9%
1820	10,001	9.1%
1830	12,093	20.9%
1840	11,806	−2.4%
1850	13,397	13.5%
1860	16,080	20.0%
1870	17,276	7.4%
1880	21,794	26.2%
1890	25,519	17.1%
1900	30,889	21.0%
1910	36,340	17.6%
1920	45,569	25.4%
1930	54,466	19.5%
1940	61,244	12.4%
1950	63,789	4.2%
1960	69,942	9.6%
1970	73,900	5.7%
1980	90,146	22.0%
1990	107,924	19.7%
2000	133,798	24.0%
2010	168,148	25.7%
2020	170,243	1.2%
2021 (est.)	172,169	2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2019

2020 census

Pitt County racial composition
Race	Number	Percentage
White (non-Hispanic)	86,837	51.01%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	59,813	35.13%
Native American	494	0.29%
Asian	3,056	1.8%
Pacific Islander	94	0.06%
Other/Mixed	6,981	4.1%
Hispanic or Latino	12,968	7.62%