Stokes offers small-town living near Greenville
Living in the small town of Stokes gives residents a quiet, rural lifestyle just 10 miles northeast of Greenville. With a population of around 300 residents, the Pitt County area maintains an atmosphere where neighbors know each other and life moves at a slower pace. While the community itself is peaceful and residential, locals typically rely on nearby towns—especially Greenville—for shopping, dining, healthcare and other essential services. “Stokes is nothing but a blinking light with a four-way stop sign,” says Jennifer Brinson, broker at The Brokerage Real Estate Advisors who has been selling around Greenville for more than 20 years. “People love to live there, and houses don’t stay on the market long, because it’s only 15 minutes from Greenville. But Greenville is getting more expensive, and the traffic is getting busier.”
Ranch-styles and farmhouses line wooded lots
Stokes’ residential topography is dotted with ranch-style and farmhouse-style homes, many situated on wooded lots that offer privacy and seclusion behind mature trees. Detached garages and workshops are common features, especially on properties with acreage. While residences dominate the area, the available housing inventory remains low. Prices vary widely, from around $175,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home to nearly $1.5 million for expansive properties with dozens of acres. However, most buyers can expect to find a standard-sized home with three to four bedrooms and two to three bathrooms, occupying between 1,500 and 2,200 square feet in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. “There are also a lot of double-wides throughout, and a few older historical looking homes are in the town center there,” Brinson says, referring to the four-way stop where Route 903 and Route 30 intersect.
Public schools and ECU serve local students
Stokes School serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade and holds a B-plus rating from Niche, while North Pitt High School has a B-minus. High schoolers can join organizations that promote social and emotional development, such as Girls Living a Mission (G.L.A.M.) and Soldiers with a Goal (S.W.A.G.). Each gender-specific club encourages personal growth and community involvement.
For higher education, East Carolina University is located just 10 miles away in Greenville. Renowned for its medical programs, ECU is classified as a Carnegie Foundation R2 university and features a health sciences campus next to ECU Health Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center that serves the broader region.
Nearby Greenville provides outdoor recreation
While local recreation is limited, equestrians appreciate proximity to Heartland Estate. Located on the east side of town, the facility offers horsemanship lessons, horse boarding and training. For broader outdoor activities, families often head to River Park North in Greenville, where they can enjoy boating, fishing, hiking and camping in a natural setting. Nearby, Elm Street Park provides a more traditional recreational space with a playground, ballfield and tennis courts.
Stokes depends on Greenville for retail and eats
As is the case with outdoor recreational opportunities, retail and dining in Stokes is scarce, with just a Dollar General and a gas station serving local needs. For more selection, residents typically travel to Greenville, where they can find a variety of eateries ranging from coffee shops to barbecue joints. Greenville also offers more robust retail options, including the Greenville Mall and Publix.
State routes 30 and 903 link residents to other towns
Stokes is car dependent, with no public bus or train service available. The town is centered around the intersection of state Route 30 and state Route 903, the latter providing a direct connection to Greenville. For air travel, residents rely on the Pitt-Greenville Airport located about 9 miles southwest, which offers flights to Charlotte through American Airlines. “If the flights they want aren’t offered, they would then drive to Raleigh ,” Brinson says. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 110 miles west of town.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
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Kris Bates
