Pink Hill offers small-town living in rural eastern North Carolina
Named after a hill that turned pink when phlox flowers bloomed in the spring, Pink Hill has remained largely an agricultural community since it was settled by farmer Anthony Davis in the 1800s. Located many miles from North Carolina’s large cities, this small town attracts those looking for true country living. Fewer than 500 people reside within the official town limits, where a handful of gridded streets host local businesses, a library, the volunteer fire department and the town hall. A few thousand residents live in the outlying network of farmland and forest. Long drives are a part of everyday life here, but community events keep people connected. Pink Hill has a low risk of crime, according to the CAP Index, which gives the town a Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10.
Single-family homes on large lots for less than the national median
Most single-family homes in Pink Hill rest along winding country roads between farms, creeks and patches of forest. Acreage is often a selling point, with most lots ranging from half an acre to several acres. Midcentury ranch-style homes are most common, but early 20th-century bungalows and cottages dot residential blocks close to the town center. New construction is also available. The median home price is around $280,000, significantly below the national median of over $416,000. However, properties can cost as little as $200,000 and as much as $350,000. Homes outside the town proper typically have private wells and septic systems, as they’re not connected to the town’s water and sewage network.
Local businesses in town and national brands within driving distance
Anchored by a curving stretch of state Highway 11, Pink Hill’s town center serves as a hub of local business, community and government. Along its gridded streets, boutiques selling clothing, home goods and vintage items join a few local restaurants, a coffee shop and beloved institutions like the Etta Jones Turner Branch of the Neuse Regional Library, which serves as a resource for residents across the region. Branch manager Lori Bradford says a lot of people use the library for its computers, printers and document scanners, but it also offers a range of programming. “We have story time for preschool-aged children and their families on Thursdays. We have after-school programming every Tuesday, where students get to do STEM activities, cooking, gaming, and art programs. And every Monday, we have a morning knitting class for adults,” Bradford says. Food Lion, discount chains and a local hardware store have basic needs covered. For larger shopping trips, residents can drive north to Kinston, which hosts a handful of national retailers about 20 miles away, or to Jacksonville, which has dozens of name-brand stores as well as the Jacksonville Mall, around 35 miles southeast.
Pink Hill hosts small events and festivals a few times a year
The Pink Hill Festival Committee, a passionate group of volunteers, organizes community events that range from smaller get-togethers like the Country Music Bingo Night to larger celebrations like the annual Christmas on the Hill, which features a tree-lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus. The Pink Hill Eggstravaganza Festival, an Easter-themed celebration held each April, draws visitors from around the area to a field along Jones Avenue in the town center. A big egg hunt is the main event, but the festival also features family-friendly activities, including face-painting, bounce houses and a petting zoo.
The Pink Hill Volunteer Fire Department, which has been an integral part of the community since it was formed in 1950, hosts Fireman's Day. The celebration, held each May, raises money for the department while providing a day of family-friendly fun. In addition to a classic car show, live music and a bake sale, the event features local craft vendors, plenty of barbecue and several activities for the kids.
Two B-rated school districts serve Pink Hill
Most students east of state Highway 11 can attend Lenoir County Public Schools, which earns a B-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has around 8,300 students and 17 schools, one of which is the B-minus-rated Pink Hill Elementary. Duplin County Schools serves most homes west of state Highway 11. The district earns a B-minus overall rating and has around 9,800 students across 13 schools.
Small parks and Cabin Lake County Park offer recreation
Pink Hill offers several places to exercise and connect with nature, from recreational facilities in town to nearby parks. Tall pines surround Pinewood Forest Park, where families can romp around a playground, stroll down the new story walk trail and enjoy a picnic in the covered shelter. Lighted tennis courts are available next to the Town Hall. Around the corner, the town’s basketball court sits beside an open green space.
Outside of the town proper, the Albertson Recreation Center hosts youth sports leagues for T-ball and baseball, while Cabin Lake County Park offers lakeside camping, fishing and paddle boating. The Croatan National Forest, popular for hiking and hunting, is about 40 miles away. The sandy beaches along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast are about 60 miles away.
Pink Hill is a car-dependent community with some highway access
Pink Hill is a car-dependent community, and residents often take long drives along country roads to reach destinations around the region. Several highways pass through the town and the surrounding rural landscape, including state Highway 11, which links the community to nearby cities like Kinston, about 20 miles north. Interstate 40 is roughly a 20-mile drive southwest. It offers the quickest route to the capital city of Raleigh, which is around 100 miles away. If travelers don’t want to drive all the way to Raleigh to catch a flight at Raleigh-Durham International, Coastal Carolina Regional Airport offers commercial service about 55 miles east of town. ECU Health Family Medicine offers primary care and family medicine in the town center. The closest full-service hospital, UNC Health Lenoir, is roughly 20 miles away.
