Greenville
RANK #192 / 996 NAT · #11 / 51 NC · POP 171,196
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Pitt County, North Carolina, is often recognized for Greenville, its county seat and a regional hub for eastern North Carolina. Greenville offers a blend of urban amenities and outdoor opportunities along the Tar River, which provides avenues for kayaking, fishing, and greenway trails. Located approximately 80 miles east of Raleigh, the state capital, Pitt County maintains a distinct community feel across its ten municipalities, ranging from the larger Greenville to smaller towns like Falkland. The county experiences a mild, four-season climate, supporting year-round outdoor activities and a calendar of local festivals.
Life in Pitt County is characterized by a balance of affordability and access to services, appealing to families, professionals, and retirees. The public school system, with 40 schools serving over 24,000 students, is considered above average. Commute options include local bus systems like Greenville Area Transit (GREAT) and Pitt Area Transit System (PATS), which also serves Pitt Community College students. The economy is driven by significant investment in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing, with East Carolina University and ECU Health serving as major institutions.
Above national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Megasite Industrial Park Infrastructure
Pitt County / Weyerhaeuser
|
$553M | Proposed |
|
Nipro Medical Corp. Manufacturing Facility
Nipro Medical Corp.
|
$398M | Under Construction |
|
Boviet Solar Panel Manufacturing Facility
Boviet Solar
|
$294M | Planned |
|
ECU Health Center for Medical Education Building
East Carolina University
|
$265M | Under Construction |
|
Thermo Fisher Scientific Expansion
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
|
$154M | Planned |
|
Stokestown Solar (80 MW Solar + 30 MW Battery Storage)
Hexagon Energy
|
$110M | Approved |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Pitt County ranks #192 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 81/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.5% and a median household income of $54,915 point to a county with active economic momentum.
Housing in Pitt County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $178,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $911/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Pitt County are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved +1.5% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
In significant numbers — 7.75% of Pitt County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.