Princeville, North Carolina

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Originally known as Freedom Hill, Princeville was settled by freed slaves on an unwanted floodplain

Princeville is a town in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and the oldest town incorporated by African-Americans in the United States. It was established by freed slaves after the Civil War and incorporated in 1885. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 940, although this census was taken shortly after 1999's Hurricane Floyd, which displaced many town residents. A 2004 special census recount placed the town's population at 2,020 residents in 818 housing units. The closest major city is Greenville ⁶.

Correction: Depending on the exact definition of "major city," Rocky Mount is the closest one to Princeville. Rocky Mount has a population just shy of 60,000. Greenville's population is just shy of 80,000. While Greenville has a much larger Metropolitan Statistical Area of over 207,000, Rocky Mount can be classified as the closest city of over 50,000 to Princeville.

[edit] Geography

Princeville is located at 35°53′13″N, 77°31′14″W (35.886974, -77.520584)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²). 4.1 km² (1.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.62% is water.

[edit] Demographics

The 2000 census data reflect the town shortly after 1999's Hurricane Floyd; a 2004 census recount has been conducted, doubling the town's reported population (see above), and revised demographic statistics are expected in early 2005.

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 940 people, 346 households, and 255 families residing in the town. The population density was 228.3/km² (590.5/mi²). There were 761 housing units at an average density of 184.8/km² (478.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 2.23% White, 97.45% African American, 0.11% Asian, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.

There were 346 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.5% were married couples living together, 27.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,667, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $23,281 versus $19,886 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,603. About 14.0% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.9% of those under age 18 and 20.7% of those age 65 or over.