Demographics & Economy

Demographics & Economy

Demographics & Economy – Key Factor Summary

• Pitt County/Greenville area is a rapidly growing, well diversified employment/service center for Eastern, N.C.
• Population increased 25.7% from 2000 – 2010
• Labor force expanded 20.4% and employment grew by 12.4% between 2000 and 2010
• Pitt County is leading retail center in central and northern Eastern North Carolina
• Manufacturing employment accounts for 1 in 12 jobs, government for 1 in 3.3, and health care/social services for 1 in 4.2 (2010 data)
• Major manufactured products include: chemicals, machinery, fabricated metal products, paper products, apparel, and transportation equipment
• Reported industrial investments averaged nearly $50 million per year during the 1990’s and $98 million annually from 2000 – 2009
• Medical Center (hospital and med-school) continues as a major catalyst of growth

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A Growing Economy

Pitt County is a rapidly growing, well-diversified employment and service center for eastern North Carolina.  As one of the fastest growing centers in the state, the population increased by 25.7% between 2000 (133,798) and 2010 (168,148).  Pitt County is the 14th most populous county in North Carolina.  The Greenville MSA, which encompasses all of Pitt County as well as Greene County, was the fourth fastest growing MSA in North Carolina during the 2000’s.

From 2000-2010, the civilian labor force expanded by 20.4% (from 69,869 to 84,129), compared with 12.0% for the state. Within this same period employment increased by 8,319, or 12.4% in Pitt County versus a 3.6% gain statewide.

Preliminary figures indicate employment in Pitt County decreased from 75,250 in 2010 to 75,166 in 2011; the labor force increased by 27 to 84,240.  The overall rate of unemployment in 2011 increased to 10.8% from 10.6% the previous year. New and expanded industrial investments for 2011 included The Roberts Companies, Figure 8 Technologies, Metallix, and DSM Pharmaceuticals. These and other primary investments for 2011 total in excess of $7.5 million and will provide over 190 new jobs when the projects are completed.

Pitt County retains its position as the number one retail trade center in the central and northern areas of eastern North Carolina.  Taxable sales activity for fiscal year ending June 2011 ($1.76 billion) shows Pitt County ranked at 10th in the state with a 16.9% increase over the previous fiscal year.

Boardings for 2011 at Pitt-Greenville Airport were down .5% from 2010 with a total of 127,102 for the year.

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