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Tarboro, North Carolina
Town of Tarboro
Main Street, downtown
Main Street, downtown
Official logo of Tarboro, North Carolina
Seal
Nickname(s): 
T-Town
Location in Edgecombe County and the state of North Carolina.
Location in Edgecombe County and the state of North Carolina.
Country  United States
State  North Carolina
County Edgecombe
Founded 1760
Government
 • Type Council–Manager
Area
 • Total 11.60 sq mi (30.03 km2)
 • Land 11.56 sq mi (29.94 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation
43 ft (13 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10,721
 • Estimate 
(2019)
10,715
 • Density 926.90/sq mi (357.89/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
27886
Area code(s) 252
FIPS code 37-66700
GNIS feature ID 1022886

Tarboro is a town located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 10,721. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. The town is on the opposite bank of the Tar River from Princeville. It is also part of the Rocky Mount-Wilson-Roanoke Rapids CSA. Tarboro is located near the western edge of North Carolina's coastal plain. It has many historical churches, some dating from the early 19th century.

Tarboro was chartered by British colonists in 1760. Located in a bend of the Tar River, it was an important river port, the head of navigation on the Tar River just east of the fall line of the Piedmont. As early as the 1730s, a small community developed around this natural asset. With different businesses, a church, a jail, two warehouses, a courthouse, a few well built private houses, together with a score of "plain and cheap" houses, made a bustling village by the late 1700s.

Pronunciation

Natives and longtime residents use the pronunciation "Tar-Ber". The pronunciation is sometimes used as a shibboleth, as outsiders (and newcomers) tend to pronounce the town's name as it is spelled "Tar-Borough".

History

Created in 1760, Tarboro is the ninth-oldest incorporated town in North Carolina. Situated on the Tar River at the fall line in the Piedmont, the town served the area as an important colonial river port. It was a thriving trade center until the Civil War.

Scholars believe that the area around Tarboro was settled by 1733, but Edward Moseley's map of that year indicates only Tuscarora Native Americans, an Iroquoian-language speaking group. By 1850, the area was widely known as "Tawboro", a name attributed to Taw, the Tuscaroran word for "river of health".

"Tarrburg", as the town was called on maps of 1770–75, was chartered November 30, 1760, as "Tarborough" by the General Assembly. In September of the same year, Joseph and Ester Howell deeded 150 acres (610,000 m2) of their property to the Reverend James Moir, Lawrence Toole (a merchant), Captains Aquilla Sugg and Elisha Battle, and Benjamin Hart, Esquire, for five shillings and one peppercorn. As commissioners, these men laid out a town with lots not exceeding 0.5 acres (2,000 m2) and streets not wider than 80 feet (24 m), with 12 lots and a 50-acre (200,000 m2) "common" set aside for public use. Lots were to be sold for two pounds, with the proceeds to be turned over to the Howells; however, full payment was not received for all of the 109 lots sold, and some were not sold for the 40 shillings price.

After Halifax County was withdrawn from Edgecombe County in 1758–59, the original county seat of Enfield was within Halifax.

Tarboro officially became the county seat of Edgecombe in 1764. For four years the county government met in Redman's Field. The North Carolina State Legislature met here once in 1787 and again in 1987. President George Washington is known to have slept in Tarboro during a visit on his 1791 Southern tour. He is noted to have said of the town that it was "as good a salute as could be given with one piece of artillery."

According to the book, Edgecombe County: Twelve North Carolina Counties in 1810–11, by Dr Jeremiah Battle, the following is an 1810 account of the town:

"Tarboro, the only town in the county, is handsomely situated on the south-west bank of Tar River, just above the mouth of Hendrick's Creek, in lat. 35 deg. 45 min. It is forty-eight miles west by north from Washington, thirty-six south of Halifax, eighty-three northwest of Newbern, and sixty-eight east of Raleigh. It was laid off into lots in the year 1760. The streets are seventy-two feet wide, and cross each other at right angles, leaving squares of 2 acres (8,100 m2) each. These squares being divided into lots of 0.5 acres (2,000 m2), makes every lot front or face two streets.

"There are about fifty private houses in it; and generally from fifteen to twenty stores, a church, a jail, two warehouses, and a large Court House, which in the year 1785 was used for the sitting of the State Legislature. There are several good springs adjacent to the town, but for culinary purposes almost every person or family has a well; and some of these wells afford good water the greater part of the year. This place affords good encouragement to all industrious persons, particularly merchants of almost every description. Sixty or seventy merchants have had full employment here at one time. But such of them as have emigrated to this place have too soon found themselves in prosperous situations, and have betaken themselves to idleness and dissipation."

Due to the development of cotton plantations worked by slave labor in the antebellum years, by the 1870s Halifax and Edgecombe counties were among several in northeast North Carolina with majority-black populations. Before being disfranchised by the Democrats' passage in 1899 of a new state constitution that included discriminatory provisions, black citizens elected four African Americans to the US Congress from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, as well as many blacks to local offices. Congressman George Henry White, a successful attorney, lived in Tarboro. After passage of the disfranchising constitution, he left the state, stating it was impossible for a black to be a man there. He became a successful banker in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided for oversight and enforcement of the constitutional rights of African Americans to vote. They have since been able to participate again in political life in North Carolina.

Hurricane Floyd

FEMA - 136 - Photograph by Dave Gatley taken on 11-08-1999 in North Carolina
FEMA - 136 - Photograph by Dave Gatley taken on 11-08-1999 in North Carolina
FEMA - 495 - Photograph by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Wedeking taken on 09-16-1999 in North Carolina
FEMA - 495 - Photograph by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Wedeking taken on 09-16-1999 in North Carolina

Hurricane Floyd was a very powerful Cape Verde-type hurricane which struck the east coast of the United States. It was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the third largest evacuation in US history (behind Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Rita, respectively) when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached. The Cape Verde-type hurricane formed off the coast of Africa and lasted from September 7 to September 19, peaking in strength as a very strong Category 4 hurricane—just 2 mph short of the highest possible rating on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Flooding in Tarboro mostly occurred in areas around the Tar River, exceeding 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches; it crested 24 ft (7.3 m) above flood stage. The Tar river surrounds about half of Tarboro has it touches the North end and Southern ends of the city. Flooding began upstream in Rocky Mount, as much as 30% of which was underwater for several days. In Tarboro, much of the downtown was under several feet of water. Nearby, the town of Princeville was largely destroyed when the waters of the Tar poured over the town's levee, covering the town with over 20 ft (6.1 m) of floodwater for ten days. Part of the Tarboro and Princeville city limits are defined by the Tar River.

Tarboro Historic District

Recognized by the National Park Service in 1977, the 45-block Tarboro Historic District boasts over 300 structures from the residential dwellings to historic churches to original 19th-century storefronts along Tarboro's Main Street. The gateway to the Tarboro Historic District is the Tarboro Town Common, a 15-acre (61,000 m2) park canopied by tall oaks and including war memorials. The Town Common originally surrounded the town and is the second-oldest legislated town common in the country.

FRONT VIEW - Norfleet Plantation, Cotton Press, Albermarle Street (moved from Norfleet Plantation), Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC HABS NC,33-TARB,2-3
FRONT VIEW - Norfleet Plantation, Cotton Press, Albermarle Street (moved from Norfleet Plantation), Tarboro, Edgecombe County, NC HABS NC,33-TARB,2-3

Within the historic district is the Blount-Bridgers House, an 1808 Federal-style mansion that houses several important document collections and works by Hobson Pittman, a nationally recognized artist and Tarboro native. Opened as a museum in 1982, the Blount-Bridgers House serves as the town's art and civic center. A Historic District National Recreation Trail beginning at the Blount-Bridgers House guides visitors through the scenic older neighborhoods of the town. The district includes five 18th-century homes, with the oldest being the Archibald White house (ca. 1785) located on the corner of Church and Trade streets. Over two dozen antebellum homes from 1800 to 1860 grace the district. The largest section is late 19th-and early 20th-century and includes Victorian, Second Empire, Neo-classical revival, and arts and crafts style homes. The town's walkable downtown is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Program.

Also within the historic district, at the cross of North Church Street and Albemarle Avenue, is the Tarboro-Edgecombe Farmers' Market. The market operates on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 10 am, and Saturdays from 8 am to 11 am. A variety of events, including the Tarboro Commons Festival and the Blueberry Day, are celebrated in downtown.

In addition to the Tarboro Historic District, Blount-Bridgers House, and Tarboro Town Common, The Barracks, Batts House and Outbuildings, Calvary Episcopal Church and Churchyard, Coats House, Coolmore Plantation, Cotton Press, Eastern Star Baptist Church, Edgecombe Agricultural Works, Howell Homeplace, Lone Pine, Oakland Plantation, Piney Prospect, Quigless Clinic, Railroad Depot Complex, Redmond-Shackelford House, St. Paul Baptist Church, and Walston-Bulluck House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Interstate 95 and U.S. 64 were constructed near Tarboro, allowing for access to and from the East Coast's major markets, many of which are within one day's drive. The city is 72 miles (116 km) east of Raleigh, the state capital; 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Greenville, a primary eastern North Carolina hub; 16 miles (26 km) east of Rocky Mount; and 120 miles (190 km) west of the Outer Banks. Tarboro is convenient to area and regional airports, freight and passenger train service, interstate and intrastate highway systems, and the deepwater ports of Morehead City and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Major highways

Airports

Tarboro-Edgecombe Airport: This facility, located 3 miles (5 km) north of downtown, has a 4,500-foot (1,400 m) paved and lighted runway with a 1,000-foot (300 m) approach apron from both ends, accommodating a wide variety of small general aviation aircraft.

Pitt–Greenville Airport: Located 25 miles (40 km) south of Tarboro, this airport has a 6,000-foot (1,800 m) lighted precision approach runway, a 5,000-foot (1,500 m) lighted non-precision crosswind runway and a 2,700-foot (820 m) unlighted visual approach runway. PGV provides commuter service to Charlotte Douglas International Airport through US Airways Express with 11 daily flights. Jet service is available. All aircraft services are available, including charters.

Rocky Mount-Wilson Airport: Located 25 miles (40 km) west of Tarboro, this airport has one runway which is lighted and extends a length of 7,100 feet (2,200 m).

Raleigh–Durham International Airport: More commonly known as RDU, this major international airport serves the U.S. and abroad. Located 87 miles (140 km) west of Tarboro, RDU hosts numerous major carriers with daily departures. Additionally, numerous commuter carriers connect RDU to the northeast and other southern cities.

Rail

Tarboro has access to both freight and passenger rail service. Amtrak provides two north and two southbound trains per day at its Rocky Mount station, located 17 miles (27 km) west of Tarboro. Service is to Washington, D.C., New York City, Miami and Philadelphia. Freight service is provided by CSX. Trains travel to destinations in eastern North Carolina and also to points west and south of town.

Geography

Tarboro is located at 35°54'10" North, 77°32'45" West (35.902850, -77.545959).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 11.2 square miles (28.9 km2), of which 11.1 square miles (28.8 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.33%, is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1810 523
1850 709
1860 1,048 47.8%
1870 1,340 27.9%
1880 1,600 19.4%
1890 1,924 20.3%
1900 2,499 29.9%
1910 4,129 65.2%
1920 4,568 10.6%
1930 6,379 39.6%
1940 7,148 12.1%
1950 8,120 13.6%
1960 8,411 3.6%
1970 9,425 12.1%
1980 8,741 −7.3%
1990 11,037 26.3%
2000 11,138 0.9%
2010 11,415 2.5%
2019 (est.) 10,715 −6.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Tarboro racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 4,371 40.77%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 5,411 50.47%
Native American 26 0.24%
Asian 56 0.52%
Pacific Islander 28 0.03%
Other/Mixed 320 2.98%
Hispanic or Latino 537 5.01%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 10,721 people, 4,635 households, and 2,848 families residing in the town.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,415 people, 4,565 households, and 2,958 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,025.3 people per square mile (395.9/km2). There were 4,993 housing units at an average density of 448.5 per square mile (173.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 47.2% White, 48.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.9% some other race, and 0.8% from two or more races. 4.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,565 households, out of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were headed by married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35, and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

For the period 2010–14, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $34,267, and the median income for a family was $46,884. Male full-time workers had a median income of $32,776, versus $35,013 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,085. 16.0% of the population and 12.0% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 28.9% of those under the age of 18 and 11.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Population trends

The population of Tarboro has steadily grown over the past three decades while the overall population of Edgecombe County has declined.

Vidant Hospital

Vidant Hospital is a full-service, 117-bed acute care facility where residents of Tarboro, Edgecombe County and surrounding communities receive a wide range of health services close to home. Vidant Hospital was once Heritage Hospital but Vidant bought Heritage in 2011. In 1998, Heritage joined University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina. More than 20 specialties are represented by Vidant's medical staff. In addition to acute care, services include rehabilitation, oncology and outpatient clinics.

Economy

Chinese tiremaker Triangle Group will be building two manufacturing facilities at a 1,449-acre site in Edgecombe County at Kingsboro Business Park, located between Rocky Mount and Tarboro. Phase 1 of the project is set to open in 2020 and phase 2 in 2022. At $580 million, it will be the largest ever manufacturing investment in rural North Carolina with the creation of 800 jobs and an estimated contribution of more than $2.4 billion to the state's economy. Corning has also constructed a new $86 million distribution center that will bring 111 new jobs, they will be operational in the first quarter 2020.

Largest employers

Below is a list of some of the largest employers in Tarboro as of 2019.

# Employer No. of employees
1 Edgecombe County Public Schools 1,100
2 Sara Lee Frozen Bakery 950
3 Edgecombe County 500-999
4 Johnson Controls 250-499
5 Vidant Edgecombe Hospital 500-999
6 Keihin Carolina System Technology 250-499
7 Barnhill Contracting 100-249
8 LS Cable 100-249
9 Town of Tarboro 100-249

Education

Edgecombe County Public Schools' headquarters are located in Tarboro, and the schools serve all cities and towns of the county. ECPS operates a total of 15 public schools: 6 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 5 high schools. Tarboro is home to seven of the public schools: Stocks Elementary, Princeville Elementary, Pattillo Middle School, Martin Millennium Academy, Edgecombe Early College High School, North Edgecombe High School and Tarboro High School. There is one public charter school in Tarboro, North East Carolina Prep School.

Higher education is provided by Edgecombe Community College. ECC offers more than 130 academic degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Edgecombe also operates a separate campus in nearby Rocky Mount.

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tarboro (Carolina del Norte) para niños

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