Edgecombe County

Edgecombe County is an administrative division in eastern North Carolina that encompasses rural areas and small urban communities. The Tar River flows through the region while Tarboro serves as the county seat and Rocky Mount operates as a significant commercial center.

North Carolina's General Assembly established this county in 1741, taking its name from Richard Edgcumbe, a British politician. The completion of the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad in 1840 fundamentally transformed how the region connected to surrounding communities and reshaped economic patterns.

Agriculture remains central to how people and communities have organized their lives here. The sight of crop fields and local farming practices reflects generations of work that shaped daily rhythms and family traditions.

Traveling by car is the most practical way to explore this county, as communities are spread across the landscape with limited public transit. Plan your route ahead since services and attractions are dispersed across rural and urban areas.

The Tar River served as a vital transportation route for goods and people long before railroads were built. Visitors can still trace this waterway's importance through several landmarks and historical sites scattered across the county.

Location: North Carolina

Inception: 1741

Capital city: Tarboro

Shares border with: Halifax County, Martin County, Pitt County, Wilson County, Nash County

Website: http://edgecombecountync.gov

GPS coordinates: 35.91000,-77.60000

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:36