La Grange, The Garden Spot, has deep roots and continued improvements
La Grange, nicknamed The Garden Spot, is a small town that continues to bloom where it's been planted in rural eastern North Carolina. It earned its title in the early 20th century from the gardens that were noticeable from passing trains. Today, this community of fewer than 3,000 includes a small but essential downtown, churches and highway access to more urban amenities in neighboring Goldsboro and Kinston. Resident-led efforts are helping to drive new community events and downtown revitalization.
Mix of historic homes and new builds on larger lots
La Grange has a mix of vintage architecture and new subdivisions. A handful of original Victorian-style homes, often with steep roof gables, front porches and decorative trimming, dot the town center. Other styles include shotgun, cottage, Craftsman bungalow and manufactured homes, which may range in condition. The up-and-coming Blair Ridge community on the town's south side has one- and two-story new construction homes on large lots. The median home price is around $300,000, slightly higher than surrounding areas.
Public schools and nearby community college access
La Grange Elementary School, which gets a C-plus from Niche, and E.B. Frink Middle School, which gets a B, are both in La Grange. Lenoir High School, which earns a B-minus, is a few miles away. High schoolers can embark on several career and technical education pathways involving apprenticeships and internships. About 15 miles east in Kinston, Lenior Community College offers dual enrollment courses for high schoolers and associate degrees for postsecondary students.
Community park and programs support an active lifestyle
The Garden Spot offers green spaces, facilities and programs, and welcomed a new parks and recreation director in 2024 in an effort to build up the deparment. The centrally located La Grange Community Park features open space, playground equipment and a newly unveiled splash pad, which is operational from May through September. The Community Center hosts a variety of programs, including Zumba, line dancing and youth summer camps. The elementary school also shares its baseball fields with youth Little League teams.
A few local spots downtown, with more options nearby
Downtown La Grange is centered around on South Caswell Street, with a few restaurants, a gas station, a library, and a post office, among other businesses. Some storefronts are empty, and others are getting new tenants like Foss Demolition. The new Second Street Café is open daily with a salad bar and various hot and cold sandwiches. Groceries and essentials are available at Food Lion and Family Dollar. Goldsboro and Kinston, about 15 miles in either direction, have bigger retail and restaurant scenes and cuisine options ranging from North Carolina barbecue to Italian, Jamaican and Asian fusion.
Music festivals bring La Grange together
The resident-led Engage L.A. organizes family-friendly events at La Grange Community Park. The Summer Concert Series features regional bands and food trucks in June, July, and August. The Garden Spot Music Festival in September features a dance party, live bands, a 5K run, a parade and rides. Several churches serve La Grange's spiritual community with Sunday morning worship, events and services, from movies on the lawn to community dinners.
Car travel is essential with limited public transit options
This is a fairly car-dependent area since public bus routes are not available. Lenoir County Transit offers on-demand rides for medical appointments and other errands. La Grange sits along U.S. Route 70, an east-west corridor to Goldsboro and Kinston. Both cities have full-service hospitals with emergency rooms. About 80 miles northwest, Raleigh-Durham airport offers nonstop flights to around 80 international and domestic destinations.
