2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Pitt County Government

General Population CharacteristicsFrom 1980 to 2010, Pitt County has consistently set the pace for population growth in theeight-county region (Table A-21). In this thirty-year period, the population of Pitt Countysoared 86.5% while the total population of North Carolina grew from 6,632,448 persons to9,535,483 persons – an increase of 43.7%.Table A-21Comparison of Population Growth Rates - 1980-2010Pitt County and Selected Counties in the RegionCounty 1980 1990 2000 2010% Change1980-1990% Change1990-2000% Change2000-2010% Change1980-2010Pitt 90,146 108,480 133,798 168,148 20.3% 23.3% 25.7% 86.5%Beaufort 40,355 42,283 44,958 47,759 4.8% 6.3% 6.2% 18.3%Craven 71,043 81,812 91,436 103,505 15.2% 11.8% 13.2% 45.7%Edgecombe 55,988 56,606 56,692 56,552 1.1% 0.2% -0.2% 1.0%Greene 16,117 15,384 18,974 21,362 -4.5% 23.3% 12.6% 32.5%Lenoir 59,819 57,274 59,648 59,495 -4.3% 4.1% -0.3% -0.5%Martin 25,948 25,078 25,593 24,505 -3.4% 2.1% -4.3% -5.6%Wilson 63,132 66,061 73,814 81,234 4.6% 11.7% 10.1% 28.7%Source: 1980-2010 U.S. CensusPlanning ImplicationRapid residential growth has been the catalyst for growing public demands for additionaland improved County services including new schools, additional parks and an improvedtransportation system. Commuting patterns to and from work from outlying rural areasand suburbs have increased the pressure and stress on everyday commuting. However,lack of or slow population growth in certain areas of the County, particularly the Bethel,Fountain, and Falkland townships, indicates that these areas of the County areexperiencing slow economic growth compared to more prosperous areas of the County.2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan Appendix A: Inventory and AnalysisPitt County, North Carolina A-36