Tarboro is a small Edgecombe County town resting along the banks of the Tar River in Eastern North Carolina. Life here often includes going to baseball games, enjoying concerts downtown and floating along the river. “You can build your life how you want,” says Tarboro native Mayor Tate Mayo. “It’s a great little cozy place where you can be yourself, relax, and when you need to get out that rambunctiousness, you don’t have far to go.” The town is a few hours’ drive from any beach along the North Carolina coast, and the capital city of Raleigh is roughly 70 miles west.
Mayo adds that one of Tarboro’s claims to fame is that it has one of the oldest town commons in the United States. “Technically, by the town charter, you can still graze your animals from sunup to sunset on the Town Common. I haven’t seen anybody do that, but I’d love to see that one day,” Mayo says. Agriculture has long been Edgecombe County's main economic driver, and until the late 1800s, Tarboro was a hub for riverboat trade. Today, manufacturers and healthcare are top industries. A lower cost of living and walkable downtown is helping this community of nearly 11,000 people grow.
The Tar River, in Tarboro, is named after the area's pine forests, which were a source of tar.
1/2
Low home prices and a history of flooding
The median price for a single-family home in Tarboro is around $215,000, roughly half the national median. Historic properties sit in view of the Town Common, while Colonial Revival, Modern Transitional and ranch-style homes are found throughout. Most properties sit along short blocks, but the town’s newest subdivisions break away from the urban grid pattern.
Tarboro has dealt with severe flooding as a riverside town with creeks and a canal. Hurricane Floyd in 1999 left nearly half of Edgecombe County under water. Flooding occurred again following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. As a result, the town, in conjunction with the state and federal government, has purchased most of the flooded lots. Town ordinances were strengthened to limit development in 500-year flood zones. Homeowners are encouraged to purchase flood insurance and register for emergency notifications.
A row of historic homes situated just outside of Downtown Tarboro.
Remains of how high water has risen at time can be seen on this river bank in Tarboro.
1/2
A love for sporting events and a Colonial-era Town Common
A little less than half of Tarboro residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park. These green spaces range from the 15-acre Town Common, popular for pickleball and quiet strolls, to the Indian Lake Sports Complex, which buzzes with baseball and softball tournaments. The Tarboro River Bandits, a summer collegiate baseball team, plays at Tarboro Municipal Stadium.
The town has two public access points for the Tar River. “Folks put in a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and float down the river for the better part of the day,” says Mayo, who adds that the annual Hickory Shad Tournament draws out dozens of anglers of all ages every March to see who can reel in the biggest fish.
The historic Tarboro Municipal Stadium is the former home of minor league teams and current home of the Tarboro High School Vikings and the Tarboro River Bandits.
War artifacts are on display at Town Common in Tarboro.
1/2
Tarboro is home to the largest historic district in North Carolina
The walkable Tarboro Historic District is recognized for its size, stretching north of the Tar River for 45 blocks. Main Street anchors this downtown, where red brick sidewalks pass by small businesses, the county’s first brewery and several restaurants. Next to Tarboro Town Hall is the Edgecombe County Veteran's Military Museum, which explores the region’s military history and honors more than 1,200 area veterans with a wall of portraits. Courthouse Square hosts community events, such as the annual New Year’s Eve Downtown Countdown, which rings in the new year with live music, food and drinks. Shopping centers dot the west side of town for everyday needs, while indoor malls and big-box stores are nearby Rocky Mount and Greenville.
Stop by Tarboro Brewing Company for a cold brew, it's the first brewery in the county.
On The Square is a favorite restaurant among locals in Tarboro.
1/2
Locally made art adorns the Blount-Bridgers House
The Blount-Bridgers House, a Federal-style home from the early 1800s with a wrap-around porch, is the home base for the Tarboro-Edgecombe Public Arts Commission. Inside is the Hobson Pittman Memorial Gallery, which showcases contemporary works and historical artifacts. The town’s art scene includes the Tar River Players, a theater troupe that puts on four shows annually and offers summer theater camps. Happening on the Common is the town’s art festival held each May, and the Downtown Live summer concert series fills Courthouse Square with live music.
The Blount-Bridgers House, in Tarboro, was built in 1808 and has been restored to a museum.
This plaque at the Blount-Bridgers House tells the history of this Tarboro home.
1/2
Edgecombe County Public Schools offers a head start on higher education
Edgecombe County Public Schools serves Tarboro and receives a C-plus overall rating from Niche. It has more than 5,300 students. Of its 20 schools, Edgecombe Early College High stands out. The A-rated school, located within Edgecombe Community College, offers students the ability to earn an associate’s degree and a diploma.
The Tarboro High School is the home of the Vikings.
Edgecombe Community College is a 2 year college, located in Tarboro.
1/2
A short drive to Interstate 95, an increase in crime
Area highways lead to Interstate 95 and larger cities nearby. Rocky Mount is about 15 miles west, and Greenville is about 30 miles south. Pitt-Greenville Airport offers daily flights to Charlotte, but residents typically head roughly 85 miles west to Raleigh-Durham International Airport for most air travel. While there’s no bus system to get around town, Tarboro does have a Greyhound bus station for long-distance trips.
According to FBI data, the number of violent crimes in Tarboro spiked from 23 in 2022 to 73 in 2023. During that same time, the number of property crimes increased from 126 to 274.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
