Nash County, North Carolina is a significant gateway to the beautiful Coastal Plains and the Piedmont Region along Interstate 95 and US Highway 64. Gently rolling hills and fertile soil suitable for peanuts and tobacco growing characterize this picturesque region of NC.

According to the 2000 Census, Nash County reported 87,420 residents. With a population nearing 56,000, Rocky Mount is the largest city in Nash County. Other urban areas include Red Oak, Sharpsburg, Spring Hope and Nashville, which serves as the county seat. The remaining cities have fewer than 1,000 residents. These smaller communities include Bailey, Castalia, Dortches, Middlesex, Momeyer and Whitakers.

Although Nashville is the county seat and center of commerce, Rocky Mount functions as the regional center for culture and education. Art galleries, children's science museums, historic sites, parks, various musical venues and a zoo attract visitors to the area. Rocky Mount offers several fine facilities for higher learning. These include Nash Community College, the North Carolina Wesleyan College and a campus of the renowned Shaw University of Raleigh.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Public School system serves over 17,000 students throughout its twenty-eight campuses. The Nash County area also offers residents a number of parochial and private schools. In addition to the facilities in Rocky Mount, North Carolina State University in Raleigh and East Carolina University in Greenville are less than an hour's drive from Nash County.

Agriculture leads the thriving economy with its abundant tobacco production ranking fifth in the nation. Other local agricultural products include cattle, corn, cotton, soybeans and sweet potatoes. The manufacturing and retail trade sectors account for the remaining employment opportunities. Nash County's centralized location results in an ideal environment for conducting business.

Residents and visitors enjoy four distinct seasons with July temperatures that average 78 degrees and a January average of around 40 degrees. The Tar River, which bisects Nash County and Rocky Mount, is an ample source of water for the area, as well as an ideal location for boating, fishing and water skiing. Northeastern NC, including Nash County, is a popular destination for hunters. Other local sites of interest include the Country Doctor Museum in Bailey, the Spring Hope Memorial Museum and the Nash County Arts Center in Nashville.

Nash County, North Carolina is a patchwork of friendly rural communities surrounded by spectacular scenery. With the fast-growing Rocky Mount prospering within the county, residents have convenient access to the best that both urban and rural worlds have to offer.

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