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Central Coast

North Carolina's Central Coast is often referred to as the Crystal Coast.  It consists of narrow islands and includes several beach-vacation spots, such as Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Indian Beach, Salter Path and Emerald Isle.

Peace and relaxation should be the region’s mantra.   Visitors experience an almost physical magnetic pull to the calm, relaxing beauty of the Crystal Coast region.  The vibrant sunrises over the ocean, the pristine beaches, and dolphins playing in the warm inlet waters are all truly spectacular marvels to witness. 

If you can tear yourself away from the beach, then there are several wonderful cities and other communities worth visiting. Beaufort is a picturesque seaport overflowing with charm, history, a boardwalk and tree-lined streets. Morehead City, New Bern, Swansboro and the Down East area are also just a few areas worth noting that have their own distinct character and attractions.

COUNTIES & CITIES

Counties: The Central Coast area consists of Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Pamlico, and Pitt counties.

Beaufort County

According to the 2000 Census, there were 44,958 people residing in Beaufort County. The racial makeup of the county was 68.44% White, 29.03% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 3.24% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median income for a household in the county was $31,066, and the median income for a family was $37,893. The per capita income for the county was $16,722.

Beaufort County is comprised of several small towns and cities with populations ranging from 500 to the largest of 10,000.  Aurora, Bath, Belhaven, Chocowinity, Pantego, River Road, Washington, and Washington Park are all located in this county. 

Aurora is a quiet town south of the Pamlico River. It has a population less than 1000. While this may be a small rural town, it possesses a rich geologic history. This makes it the capitol of the world for many fossil enthusiasts.  The Aurora Fossil Museum contains a wide array of fossil displays collected from the nearby PCS phosphate mine.

Bath holds the distinction as being North Carolina’s oldest town.  It was incorporated in 1705 and celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2005.  Several of its buildings are on the National Historic Register including the St. Thomas Church, the Palmer-Marsh House, the Van Der Veer House (1790), and the Bonner House (1830).

Washington’s claim to fame is that it was the first U.S. town named after George Washington. It is said that during the war, General Washington spent a night in this town.  Washington has burned and rebuilt twice.  The first fire during the Civil War destroyed all but a few of the city's antebellum structures. The second fire in 1900 resulted in a concentration of Victorian era homes and commercial buildings in the area now designated as the Washington Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the largest commercial and residential historic districts in North Carolina.

Carteret County

As of the 2000 census, there were 59,383 people residing in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 90.28% White, 6.99% Black or African American, 0.54% Asian, 0.43% Native American, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.74% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.  The median income for a household in the county was $38,344, and the median income for a family was $45,499. The per capita income for the county was $21,260.

Carteret County includes the following towns and cities:  Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Bogue, Cape Carteret, Cedar Point, Emerald Isle, Harkers Island, Indian Beach, Morehead City, Newport, Peletier, and Pine Knoll Shores.

Often referred to as the Crystal Coast, the area sports several beaches, parks and historical monuments. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy world-class fishing, scuba diving, horseback riding, camping and bicycling. 

Atlantic Beach is a popular summer tourist destination. Fort Macon State Park, the most visited state park in North Carolina, with an annual visitation of 1.3 million, is located nearby.  Beufort is also popular amongst tourists as the site where Blackbeard's pirate ship was found.  If you are a Civil War buff, Newport has numerous Civil War battlefields, forts and strategic locations. The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is a major attraction showcasing maritime and marine history.

Craven County

There were 91,436 people residing in the county as of the 2000 census. The racial makeup of the county was 69.94% White, 25.12% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.78% from other races, and 1.68% from two or more races. 4.02% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.  The median income for a household in the county was $35,966, and the median income for a family was $42,574.  The per capita income for the county was $18,423.

Brices Creek, Bridgeton, Cove City, Dover, Fairfield Harbour, Havelock, James City, Neuse Forest, New Bern, River Bend, Trent Woods, and Vanceboro comprise the county of Craven.
Several communities within Craven have deep historical roots stretching back centuries. 

Following the American Revolution, the city of New Bern served as the capitol of the newly-independent state of North Carolina, and remained so until the 1790s.   Havelock, a Union-held strong-hold during the Civil War, is now home to the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. The Naval Depot located on the air station serves as a major employer for local residents. 

Jones County

According to the census of 2000, there were 10,381 people residing in the county.  The racial makeup of the county was 60.97% White, 35.87% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.70% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. 2.72% of the populations were Hispanic or Latino of any race.  The median income for a household in the county was $30,882, and the median income for a family was $35,180.  The per capita income for the county was $15,916. 

Jones County is a small county located near the Atlantic coast and only two-hours from the capital of Raleigh.  The county’s official website boasts of lots of open space, fresh air, water, trees, and rivers with only a few traffic lights in the entire county. White Oak, Pollocksville, Trenton, Cypress Creek, Tuckahoe, Chinquapin, Beaver Creek,    Maysville, Pollocksville, and Trenton are communities located in Jones County. 

Pamlico County

In 2000, there were 12,934 people living in Pamlico County. The racial makeup of the county was 73.17% White, 24.57% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median income for a household in the county was $34,084, and the median income for a family was $41,659. The per capita income for the county was $18,005.

Prominent cities and towns located in Pamlico include Alliance, Arapahoe, Bayboro, Mesic, Minnesott Beach, Oriental, Stonewall, and Vandemere.  The community of Oriental, though only having a population of approximately 900 people, is widely regarded as the sailing capital of North Carolina.  It is known for providing easy access to some of the finest sailing on the East Coast.  In the 1920s, Minnesott Beach was known as a resort community on the shores of the Neuse River.  Today, it is associated with several youth summer camps located along the river.  

Pitt County

The census of 2000 indicated that there were 133,798 people residing in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 62.08% White, 33.65% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.08% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.80% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 3.15% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.  The median income for a household in the county was $32,868, and the median income for a family was $43,971.  The per capita income for the county was $18,243.

Pitt County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina having experienced a consistent population boom since 1990.  Cities and towns located within the county include:  Arthur, Ayden, Belvoir, Bethel, Carolina, Chicod, Falkland, Farmville, Fountain, Greenville, Grifton, Grimesland, Pactolus, Swift Creek, and Winterville.

Greenville is one of the fastest growing communities in North Carolina.  Located on the Tar River, it is expected to be one of the top 10 places for both population and employment growth over the next twenty years (American Demographics Magazine).  The city is considered second only to Raleigh in being known as the cultural, economic, and educational hub of Eastern North Carolina.  The city itself has a total population of 67,525 with the Greenville Metro Area accounting for an additional 207,000 residents.

In a recent article, Money Magazine ranked Winterville 23rd among 50 of the nation's most attractive suburbs.  Winterville is considered part of the Greenville Metro Area and has experienced a recent population boom.  According to the census of 2000, the population was only 4,791. In March of 2006, it was estimated to be 8,942.  It’s projected to continue growing at a rate of 1,200 new residents per year.

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