Editing Edgecombe County, North Carolina

{{Short description|County in North Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Edgecombe County
 | state                = North Carolina
 | ex image             = Tarboro, North Carolina 06 (cropped).jpg
 | ex image cap         = Edgecombe County Courthouse
 | seal                 = Edgecombe County seal.jpg
 | founded              = 1741
 | named for            = [[Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe|Richard Edgcumbe]]
 | seat wl              = Tarboro
 | largest city wl      = Rocky Mount
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 506.87
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 505.44
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.43
 | area percentage      = 0.28
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 48900
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 48832 {{loss}}
 | population_density_sq_mi = 96.75
 | coordinates          = {{coord|35.92|-77.60|type:adm2nd_region:US-NC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.edgecombecountync.gov
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | logo                 = Edgecombe County Logo.png
}}

'''Edgecombe County''' ({{IPAc-en|'|ɛ|dʒ|k|ə|m}} {{respell|EJ|kum}} or {{IPAc-en|'|ɛ|dʒ|k|oʊ|m}} {{respell|EJ|kohm}})<ref>{{cite web|title=NC Pronunciation Guide|date=November 3, 2011 |url=https://www.wral.com/lifestyles/travel/blogpost/10331495/|publisher=WRAL|accessdate=August 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="North Carolina Collection">[https://library.unc.edu/wilson/ncc/talk-like-a-tar-heel/ Talk Like a Tarheel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622041633/http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/ref/resources/tlth.html |date=June 22, 2013 }}, from the North Carolina Collection website at the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. Retrieved August 16, 2023.</ref> is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the U.S. state of [[North Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 48,900.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Tarboro, North Carolina|Tarboro]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712220218/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=July 12, 2012 }}</ref>

Edgecombe County is part of the [[Rocky Mount metropolitan area|Rocky Mount, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
This area eventually comprising Edgecombe County was historically home to the [[Tuscarora people|Tuscarora]], a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] people. The first European settlers arrived in the Tar River region in the mid-1730s.{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=7}} On May 16, 1732, Royal Governor of the [[Province of North Carolina]] [[George Burrington]], in response to a petition and with the consent of his council, authorized for the representation of an Edgecombe Precinct in the [[North Carolina General Assembly]], named in honor of British politician [[Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe|Richard Edgcumbe]]. This decision was vetoed by the assembly and subsequently debated for several years. In 1741, the assembly acceded to the creation of the precinct. The reason for why the eventual county's name is spelled differently than the honoree's name or when this discrepancy came into practice is unknown.<ref name= formation>{{cite web| url = https://www.edgecombecountync.gov/visitors/history_of_edgecombe_county.php| title = The Formation and Naming of Edgecombe County| date = 2021| publisher = Edgecombe County, NC| access-date = November 27, 2024}}</ref> 

In 1746 part of Edgecombe County became [[Granville County, North Carolina|Granville County]].{{sfn|Turner|Bridgers|1920|p=3}} In 1758 a portion, including the county seat of Enfield, became [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax County]],{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=7}}{{sfn|Turner|Bridgers|1920|pp=34–35}} wile another portion in the south became part of [[Dobbs County, North Carolina|Dobbs County]].{{sfn|Turner|Bridgers|1920|p=3}} In 1777 yet another part became [[Nash County, North Carolina|Nash County]].{{cn|date=November 2024}} 

In 1763 the county seat was designated at the town of Tarboro.{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=7}} The [[1790 United States census|first U.S. Census]] in 1790 recorded a total population of 10,255.{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=8}} In 1840 the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad—later renamed the [[Wilmington and Weldon Railroad]]—was completed with a line through the county, which spurred the development of the communities of Rocky Mount, Battleboro, and Sharpsburg.<ref name= kelley/>{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=8}} By 1850, the county produced significant amounts of cotton and recorded a population 17,189.{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=8}} In 1855, parts of Nash, Edgecombe, [[Johnston County, North Carolina|Johnston]], and [[Wayne County, North Carolina|Wayne]] counties were combined to form [[Wilson County, North Carolina|Wilson County]].{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=158}} 

At the onset of the [[American Civil War]], secessionist sentiment predominated in Edgecombe. From its population six companies were raised for service with the [[Confederate States Army]].{{sfn|Watson|1979|pp=38–39}} In 1863, federal forces conducted a raid on Rocky Mount, destroying railroad infrastructure and several industrial sites. Another federal incursion in December 1864 led to significant damage to property in the county east of Tarboro.{{sfn|Watson|1979|pp=40–41}} In the aftermath of the war, the economy of eastern North Carolina was adversely affected. In the Reconstruction era, freedmen gained political power and, as a result, three blacks were elected to the North Carolina General Assembly between 1868 and 1872 and blacks held significant influence in local government.<ref name= kelley/> In 1871, after significant political controversy, all parts of Edgecombe County west of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad were annexed to Nash{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=159}}<ref name= kelley/> leading to the bifurcation of the Edgecombe communities of [[Battleboro, North Carolina|Battleboro]] and [[Sharpsburg, North Carolina|Sharpsburg]] between the two counties.<ref name= kelley>{{cite web|last=Kelley|first=Lucas| url = https://rockymountmill.prospect.unc.edu/mill-history/narrative/moving-the-county-line/| title = The Historical Origins of the 1871 Nash-Edgecombe County Line| website = Digital Rocky Mount Mills| publisher = Community Histories Workshop, [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]| access-date = November 15, 2024}}</ref> In 1883, the county was reduced to its present dimensions when part of it was annexed to Wilson.<ref name= formation/>{{sfn|Corbitt|2000|p=98}}

From the Reconstruction era until the [[Great Depression]] in the 1930s, the county experienced demographic increases and the development of industry.{{sfn|Fleming|1996|p=8}}

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q118127|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Edgecombe County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|506.87|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|505.44|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.43|sqmi}} (0.28%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files - North Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_37.txt |access-date=September 9, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===State and local protected areas===
* [[Lower Fishing Creek Game Land]] (part)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>
* [[Tar River Game Land]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=NCWRC Game Lands |url=https://www.ncpaws.org/ncwrcmaps/gamelands |access-date=March 30, 2023 |website=www.ncpaws.org}}</ref>

===Major water bodies===
* [[Cokey Swamp (North Carolina)|Cokey Swamp]]
* [[Deep Creek (North Carolina)|Deep Creek]]
* [[Fishing Creek (North Carolina)|Fishing Creek]]
* [[Swift Creek (North Carolina River)|Swift Creek]]
* [[Tar River]]
* [[Town Creek (North Carolina)|Town Creek]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax County]] – north
* [[Martin County, North Carolina|Martin County]] – east
* [[Pitt County, North Carolina|Pitt County]] – south-southeast
* [[Wilson County, North Carolina|Wilson County]] – southwest
* [[Nash County, North Carolina|Nash County]] – west

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|I-Future|87}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|13}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|64}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Alt|64|dab1=Princeville–Williamston}} (Princeville)
* {{Jct|state=NC|US-Alt|64|dab1=Rocky Mount–Tarboro}} (Rocky Mount)
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|258}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|US|301}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|11}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|33}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|42}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|43}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC-Bus|43|dab1=Rocky Mount}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|97}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|111}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|122}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|124}}
* {{Jct|state=NC|NC|142}}
{{div col end}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Carolina Connector Intermodal Terminal]], owned by [[CSX Transportation]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2021 |title=New CCX Intermodal Terminal Adds Supply Chain Capacity, Supports Growth |url=https://www.csx.com/index.cfm/customers/new-ccx-intermodal-terminal-adds-supply-chain-capacity-supports-growth/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=CSX |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Rocky Mount station|Rocky Mount Station]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 10265
|1800= 10421
|1810= 12423
|1820= 13276
|1830= 14935
|1840= 15708
|1850= 17189
|1860= 17376
|1870= 22970
|1880= 26181
|1890= 24113
|1900= 26591
|1910= 32010
|1920= 37995
|1930= 47894
|1940= 49162
|1950= 51634
|1960= 54226
|1970= 52341
|1980= 55988
|1990= 56558
|2000= 55606
|2010= 56552
|2020= 48900
|estyear=2023
|estimate=48832
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/nc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37065.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 19, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606235617/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37065.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/edgecombecountynorthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Edgecombe County, North Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Edgecombe County, North Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Edgecombe County, North Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US37065&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Bruni CDP, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US37065&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Edgecombe County, North Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US37065&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|21,838
|21,360
|style='background: #ffffe6; |17,340
|39.27%
|37.77%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |35.46%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|31,790
|32,318
|style='background: #ffffe6; |27,299
|57.17%
|57.15%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |55.83%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|92
|128
|style='background: #ffffe6; |128
|0.17%
|0.23%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.26%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|62
|113
|style='background: #ffffe6; |112
|0.11%
|0.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|1
|7
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9
|0.00%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|18
|45
|style='background: #ffffe6; |138
|0.03%
|0.08%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|251
|477
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,168
|0.45%
|0.84%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.39%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,554
|2,104
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,706
|2.79%
|3.72%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.53%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''55,606'''
|'''56,552'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''48,900'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}


As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 48,900 people, 21,151 households, and 14,408 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 56,552 people living in the county. 57.4% were [[African American|Black or African American]], 38.8% [[White American|White]], 0.3% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian American|Asian]], 2.3% of some other race and 1.0% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 3.7% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 55,606 people, 20,392 households, and 14,804 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|110|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 24,002 housing units at an average density of {{convert|48|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 57.46% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 40.06% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.56% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.79% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 20,392 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 21.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.40% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 86.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,983, and the median income for a family was $35,902. Males had a median income of $27,300 versus $21,649 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,435. About 16.00% of families and 19.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.50% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and politics==
Edgecombe County is a member of the regional [[Councils of governments in North Carolina|Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments]].

The [[North Carolina Department of Corrections]] previously operated the [[Fountain Correctional Center for Women]] in an [[unincorporated area]] in the county, near [[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20140122000717/https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,002240,002371,002383,002280 Fountain Correctional Center for Women]." [[North Carolina Department of Public Safety]]. December 20, 2014. Retrieved on December 18, 2015. "Street Address 300 Fountain School Road Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804"</ref> It closed in December 2014.<ref>"[https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,002240,002324 Closed prisons]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151222102052/https://www.ncdps.gov/Index2.cfm?a=000003,002240,002324 Archive]). [[North Carolina Department of Public Safety]]. Retrieved on December 18, 2015.</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Edgecombe County, North Carolina|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|9,355|14,900|193|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|9,206|16,089|182|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|8,261|16,224|401|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|8,546|18,310|116|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|8,445|17,403|82|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|8,163|12,877|39|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|6,836|11,315|51|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|6,010|10,568|700|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|6,275|11,174|2,208|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|6,831|9,044|41|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|9,635|10,545|36|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|5,916|7,945|195|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|4,850|8,001|117|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,244|4,635|305|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|3,198|5,243|5,861|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,932|7,834|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|2,279|8,046|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,840|7,830|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,927|8,504|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|478|6,410|254|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|448|6,762|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|316|7,516|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|266|6,684|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|248|5,872|21|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|977|4,184|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|171|2,274|109|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|24|3,343|0|North Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|135|2,028|25|North Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|102|1,851|126|North Carolina}}

== Economy ==
Edgecombe County's unemployment has been declining from a peak of 17.1 percent in February 2010. In June 2024 the county had an unemployment rate of 6.1 percent.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.wral.com/story/battery-maker-plans-more-than-1-000-jobs-1-4b-plant-outside-rocky-mount-officials-say/21577749/| title = Battery maker plans more than 1,000 jobs, $1.4B plant outside Rocky Mount, officials say| last = Hagel| first = Jack| date = August 14, 2024| website = WRAL-TV| publisher = Capitol Broadcasting Company| access-date = August 15, 2024}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Edgecombe County Public Schools]] has 14 schools ranging from [[pre-kindergarten]] to [[thirteenth grade]]. These are separated into four [[High school (North America)|high schools]], four [[Middle school#United States|middle schools]], five [[Elementary school#United States|elementary schools]], and one K–8 school.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edgecombe County Public Schools |url=https://www.ecps.us/ |work=North Carolina's School Report Cards |publisher=North Carolina Department of Public Instruction}}</ref>  It was formed in 1993 from the merger of the old Edgecombe County Schools and Tarboro City Schools systems.<ref name=Bender2003>{{cite news|last=Bender|first=Jaime|title=Edgecombe schools marks 10 years|newspaper=The Rocky Mount Telegram|date=July 5, 2003}}</ref>

The county is home to [[Edgecombe Community College]] with campuses in Tarboro and Rocky Mount.<ref>{{cite web|title=About ECC |url=http://www.edgecombe.edu/resources/about-edgecombe-community-college |publisher=Edgecombe Community College |access-date=January 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016004922/http://www.edgecombe.edu/resources/about-edgecombe-community-college |archive-date=October 16, 2012 }}</ref>

==Communities==
[[File:Map of Edgecombe County North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels.PNG|thumb|250px|Map of Edgecombe County with municipal and township labels]]

===City===
* [[Rocky Mount, North Carolina|Rocky Mount]] (largest community; partially located also in Nash County)

===Towns===
{{div col}}
* [[Conetoe, North Carolina|Conetoe]]
* [[Leggett, North Carolina|Leggett]]
* [[Macclesfield, North Carolina|Macclesfield]]
* [[Pinetops, North Carolina|Pinetops]]
* [[Princeville, North Carolina|Princeville]]
* [[Sharpsburg, North Carolina|Sharpsburg]]
* [[Speed, North Carolina|Speed]]
* [[Tarboro, North Carolina|Tarboro]] (county seat)
* [[Whitakers, North Carolina|Whitakers]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
The county is divided into fourteen [[township (United States)|townships]], which are both numbered and named:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* 1 (Tarboro)
* 2 (Lower Conetoe)
* 3 (Upper Conetoe)
* 4 (Deep Creek)
* 5 (Lower Fishing Creek)
* 6 (Upper Fishing Creek)
* 7 (Swift Creek)
* 8 (Sparta)
* 9 (Otter Creek)
* 10 (Lower Town Creek)
* 11 (Walnut Creek)
* 12 (Rocky Mount)
* 13 (Cokey)
* 14 (Upper Town Creek)
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Crisp, North Carolina|Crisp]]
* [[Mercer, North Carolina|Mercer]]

==Notable people==
* [[Duncan Lamont Clinch]] (1787–1849) – born at Ard-Lamont in Edgecombe County, American Army officer in the [[First Seminole War|First]] and [[Second Seminole War]]s<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location=Chicago |  year = 1963}}</ref>
* [[William Dorsey Pender|Dorsey Pender]] (1834–1863) – born at Pender's Crossroads in Edgecombe County, [[Major General]] in the [[Confederate Army]].
* [[Josiah Pender]] (1819-1864) – cousin to Dorsey Pender, who captured Fort Macon from Union soldiers in 1861.
* [[Hugh Shelton]] (born 1942) – four-star General and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appointed by President Clinton.

==See also==
* [[List of counties in North Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Edgecombe County, North Carolina]]
* [[Edgecombe County serial killer]]
* [[Halifax District Brigade#Edgecombe County Regiment]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Works cited ==
* {{cite book| last = Corbitt| first = David Leroy| title = The formation of the North Carolina counties, 1663-1943| publisher = North Carolina Division of Archives and History | edition = reprint| date = 2000| location = Raleigh| url = https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/the-formation-of-the-north-carolina-counties-1663-1943/3692099?item=4798800| oclc= 46398241}}
* {{cite book| last = Fleming| first = Monica S.| title = Echoes of Edgecombe County: 1860-1940| publisher = Arcadia Publishing| series = Images of America| date = 1996| location = Charleston| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4B8qcaqjWg4C| isbn = 9781439619513}}
* {{cite book| last1 = Turner| first1 = Joseph Kelly| last2 = Bridgers| first2 = John Luther| title = History of Edgecombe County, North Carolina| publisher = Edwards & Broughton| date = 1920| location = Raleigh| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=rJqzaLFfWwMC}}
* {{cite book| last = Watson| first = Alan D.| title = Edgecombe County : A Brief History| publisher = North Carolina Division of Archives and History| date = 1979| location = Raleigh| isbn = }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2528698}}
* {{official website|http://www.edgecombecountync.gov}}
* [http://www.ncgenweb.us/edgecombe/ NCGenWeb Edgecombe County], genealogy resources for the county

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Edgecombe County, North Carolina
|North     =
|Northeast = [[Halifax County, North Carolina|Halifax County]]
|East      = [[Martin County, North Carolina|Martin County]]
|Southeast = [[Pitt County, North Carolina|Pitt County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Wilson County, North Carolina|Wilson County]]
|West      =
|Northwest = [[Nash County, North Carolina|Nash County]]
}}
{{Edgecombe County, North Carolina}}
{{North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Edgecombe County, North Carolina| ]]
[[Category:Rocky Mount metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1741 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1741]]
[[Category:Black Belt (U.S. region)]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in North Carolina]]