Scenic view of a small town by a body of water during twilight with a full moon in the sky, featuring historic buildings, churches, and trees. New Bern NC

New Bern, NC

ABOUT THE TOWN

A treasure of a small town on the Neuse River.

Set at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, New Bern, North Carolina, is a gem of the Inner Banks with over 300 years of history and charm. As the second oldest town in the state and its first colonial capital, this vibrant community blends rich heritage with natural beauty. Known as the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola and home to iconic landmarks like Tryon Palace, New Bern offers a perfect mix of historic allure, waterfront serenity, and a welcoming spirit.

Side Photo: Ben Lindemann

This town is best for:

History & Architecture

Small Town economy

Coastal Living

An aerial view of a residential neighborhood with a mix of colorful houses, trees, streets, and parked cars. New Bern NC

Pop. 32,540

0.97% annual increase

Low 36° - High 89°

Excellent

IS THIS YOUR MOXIETOWN?

Does this town check your boxes?

  • This town is a perfect weekend getaway with its charming waterfront, historic sites, and cozy accommodations. Stay at The Aerie Bed & Breakfast for a romantic experience or the DoubleTree by Hilton for river views. The Marriott Courtyard provides walkable access to the charming downtown. Explore the town’s rich history, stroll along the scenic riverfront, and enjoy delightful local dining options.

  • This small town offers a thriving environment for entrepreneurs with its low tax rates, affordable commercial spaces, and supportive business community. The city provides incentives like grants and loans through its Community and Economic Development Division, making it easier for startups to flourish. With a growing downtown and access to high-speed broadband, New Bern is an ideal location for new ventures to thrive. We see this town to have opportunity for young entrepreneurs.

    This town could be a fantastic choice for remote workers and digital nomads, offering high-speed fiber internet with speeds up to 5 Gbps through providers like Metronet and Brightspeed. The Small Business Center of Craven County, fosters collaboration and productivity services for start ups. With reliable broadband and a picturesque setting, New Bern strikes the perfect balance between work and leisure. The demographics trend a bit older but we think that this town is prime for young entrepreneurs to leverage the amazing opportunities here.

  • We think this is a wonderful place for families, offering a safe and welcoming community with excellent schools and plenty of family-friendly activities. Kids will love exploring the interactive exhibits at the North Carolina History Center or spending a day at Union Point Park along the riverfront. With affordable housing, outdoor adventures, and a strong sense of community, New Bern provides an enriching environment for families to grow and thrive. The traditional town pattern flows beyond downtown, offering a truly walkable small town environment. The planned community of West New Bern, by Weyerhauser, is situated directly west of downtown and will offer a growing number of housing options in the coming years.

    New Bern could be an ideal town for singles seeking a vibrant, social community. With its lively downtown filled with cafes, breweries, and waterfront restaurants, there’s always something to do. With a population of over 30K, there is a broad community to connect with. The town hosts regular events like ArtWalk and outdoor concerts, making it easy to meet new people. Its walkable streets, safe atmosphere, and active social scene create the perfect environment for singles to connect and thrive. Raleigh is the largest city within 3 hours.

    Many retirees have identified this town as a match for empty nesters and retirees seeking a relaxed yet vibrant lifestyle. The town offers affordable housing options, including charming historic homes and modern waterfront condos. With its mild climate, retirees can enjoy year-round outdoor activities like boating, golfing, and walking along the scenic riverfront. New Bern’s cultural scene, including art galleries and community events, ensures an active and fulfilling retirement in a welcoming community. The empty-nester & retiree community leans a little younger due to the military base near by.

The clock tower of a historic brick building during dusk, illuminated with bright yellow lights. New Bern NC

THE UNIQUE MAGIC INGREDIENTS

SPARKS & Vibes

Letterhead with black corners, gold pushpin, and text: 'The New Bern Vibe, Riverside Mainstreet'.

The way we see it, SPARKS are the places, events, activities that you remember about a MoxieTown, the ones that set them apart, the ones they are known for, & make a lasting impression.

Vibes , on the other hand, are that all-over feeling you get from a place, its unique ambiance.

This beautiful town exudes a laid-back yet lively atmosphere, blending rich history with scenic waterfront views and a welcoming community spirit that spills past the downtown to surrounding neighborhoods, we call this Riverside Mainstreet.

Walkable Downtown

Walkable Downtown

Union Point Park | Neuse River

Union Point Park | Neuse River

Storybook Neighborhoods | photo: Ben Lindemann

Storybook Neighborhoods | photo: Ben Lindemann

North Carolina History Center

North Carolina History Center

Tryon Palace

Tryon Palace

Birthplace of Pepsi

Birthplace of Pepsi

The Downtown Scene 

Main Street, lined with beautifully preserved Georgian and Federal-style buildings, offers a charming blend of history and modernity. The downtown area is bustling with local boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants like Morgan’s Tavern & Grill. Residents live in stylish lofts above shops, adding to the lively, walkable atmosphere. With its tree-lined streets and vibrant storefronts, Main Street and Middle Street are the heart of New Bern’s thriving community. Photos: Ben Lindemann, Moxietowns.

BLOGS ABOUT THIS MOXIETOWN

Stories, Tales, & Secrets

 
READ MORE ABOUT NEW BERN
 

 Found Around Town

Take a look at our Stories to find more about these treasures in and around town.


Our Quick Takes & Not-To-Miss Highlights.

Whether you’re staying or just stopping by, you don’t want to miss these. There are many adventures to be had and much local flair to experience!

  • New Bern’s foodie scene is a delightful mix of Southern comfort and coastal flavors. Start your day with a famous cinnamon roll at Baker’s Kitchen, or enjoy a hearty breakfast at The Country Biscuit. For lunch or dinner, savor fresh seafood at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant or classic Southern fare at Morgan’s Tavern & Grill. MJ’s Raw Bar and Grille is a delightful find on Middle Street.

  • New Bern offers plenty of outdoor activities, perfect for all ages. Families can enjoy the scenic Union Point Park, with playgrounds, picnic areas, and riverfront views. Explore the Neuse River by kayak, or hike the trails at Creekside Park. For a relaxing day, stroll through the lush gardens of Tryon Palace.

  • A weekend in New Bern, NC, offers a perfect blend of history and relaxation. Stay at a charming waterfront inn, explore Tryon Palace, and stroll through the picturesque downtown. Enjoy local dining at Morgan’s Tavern & Grill and unwind with a sunset river cruise on the scenic Neuse River. Staying at the Double Tree offers a waterside delight or the reliable and well located Marriott Courtyard across town.

  • The town has a supportive environment for small businesses and entrepreneurs, with reliable broadband options like Metronet’s fiber internet reaching speeds up to 5 Gbps. The town’s growing downtown provides affordable commercial spaces and a collaborative atmosphere. With strong digital infrastructure and local business initiatives, New Bern is ideal for startups and remote work

  • New Bern, NC, boasts a thriving arts and entertainment scene. The New Bern Civic Theatre and RiverTowne Players offer year-round performances in historic venues. Art lovers can explore galleries like the Craven Arts Council & Gallery, which hosts monthly ArtWalks. Annual events like MumFest and outdoor concerts at Union Point Park further enrich the town’s cultural offerings

  • This town offers a variety of living options to suit different needs and budgets. From historic homes in the downtown area to modern waterfront condos, there’s something for everyone. Housing is affordable compared to larger cities, We love the way the traditional town pattern of New Bern flows beyond the center of town - connecting it to the surrounding neighborhoods. New development in West New Bern will offer more and more options for future residents.

 
 
 

Uncover the treasures around town

Because, sometimes you just need to know how close it is

  • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia MSA - 240 miles

    Raleigh NC - 118 miles

  • Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU): Approximately 129 miles

  • Craven Community College is less than 5 miles from downtown.

    East Carolina University is approx. 45 miles to the west.

    NC State University is located in Raleigh, approximately 129 miles to the west.

  • Carolina East Medical Center is just 1.4 miles

  • Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, home to the Carolina Panthers, is about 240 miles west

  • Closest lake: The main lake at Martin Marietta Park in New Bern is located within the city, less than 5 miles from downtown

    Closest ocean beach: Atlantic Beach on the Crystal Coast is approximately 36 miles southeast

    Closest river: The Neuse River runs directly through New Bern

  • Closest major shopping mall over 1 million square feet: Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, NC, is approximately 115 miles northwest

SIT BACK AND SCROLL THROUGH THESE SMALL TOWN INSPIRATIONS

Follow along for some MoxieTown magic.

Tech does not have to mean glass towers, parking decks, and badge access. In a small town, it can mean a founder with a laptop, a mentor around the corner, a class at night, and a community that knows their name. Beaufort, South Carolina is one exa

A sweet slice of life in New Bern.

Storefront window of Pinkys Pub decorated for Christmas with Irish flags, plants, and festive ornaments. The window features the pub's name, food and drink offerings, and a frog logo. Inside, there's a brown chair and Christmas decorations.

Storefront window of Pinkys Pub decorated for Christmas with Irish flags, plants, and festive ornaments. The window features the pub's name, food and drink offerings, and a frog logo. Inside, there's a brown chair and Christmas decorations.

View of a waterfront with a sailboat and a long bridge crossing over the water under a clear blue sky with a crescent moon visible.

View of a waterfront with a sailboat and a long bridge crossing over the water under a clear blue sky with a crescent moon visible.

A downtown street lined with parked cars, storefronts, leafless trees, and a fire hydrant in fall.

A downtown street lined with parked cars, storefronts, leafless trees, and a fire hydrant in fall.

A vintage clock on a black and gold pole in a city street with trees and buildings, under a clear blue sky.

A vintage clock on a black and gold pole in a city street with trees and buildings, under a clear blue sky.

Find Your Tribe

Location is everything when you’re moving somewhere new, but so are the people! While of course, these stats can’t begin to represent these unique individuals and their social dynamics, they can provide you with a snapshot of the remarkable tapestry of personalities.

Education

This is a great place to get an overview of the educational offerings of a community. We know each family is unique and each child has their own perfect fit - so check out the many options in this town here.

How we look at demographics, other than education choices

We are looking at small towns everywhere and, so that our fellow small-town fans can really compare “apples to apples” as closely as possible, we use a 10-minute drive time for most all of our demographics, 5-minutes if we are talking specifically about what is within walking distance to the heart of town. Because when you are talking about who lives in a town - you don’t really care about who provides their water or where they pay their taxes.

Household Income & Median Home Value

$62,823
2024 Median Household Income
79
2024 USA Index


$210,806
2024 Median Home Value
59
2024 USA Index

Indexes

An index is a way to measure and compare different values using a common standard. Think of it as a scale or a ruler that helps you understand how different things measure up against a standard or average of what is found in the US. Remember these are indexes!!

Median Age - 118
Wealth - 95
Diversity - 64
Total Crime - 124