About the Oriental, North Carolina Area 

Oriental was originally settled by Native Americans, who fished and farmed in the area long before the Europeans arrived and claimed the land as their own. All of Pamlico County is rich in Native American history, and many artifacts have been found in the region. Many of Oriental’s current residents trace their family history to land grants from the King of England when the first colonial farmers settled the land. Today, the harbour has fishing boats that bring in crab, shrimp, or fish, depending on the season, and the number of sailboats moored in Oriental numbers more than 2,000, although the estimated population of this incorporated municipality as of July 2004 was only 841! 

Location
Oriental is located in Pamlico County, North Carolina, in the New Bern metropolitan area. 

Jacksonville is 53 miles southwest of Oriental. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the closest major city with a population of 200,000+. It is located 131 miles northeast of Oriental. There are many smaller towns within 20 miles, including; Stonewall, Minnesott Beach, Bayboro, Arapahoe, Vandemere, Alliance, Mesic, and Neuse Forest. 

Geography
The total land area of Oriental is 1.1 square miles. It is at an elevation of 10 feet.
Oriental is located on the Neuse River, and the Intracoastal Waterway, on a point created by five creeks. The area is 16.79% water. The Pamlico Sound is a unique body of water near Oriental that is a 40-80 mile expanse of open water protected from the sea by the Carolina Outer Banks. 

Jobs
Tourism is a primary means of income in the community, and many of the services provided are for visitors to the area, including dining, lodging, shopping and entertainment. 

Due to its waterfront location, Oriental has a long history as a fishing village. The local waters are fished for crab, shrimp and fish, and thousand of tons are packed and shipped annually from Oriental. 

The primary industries providing employment in Oriental include educational, health and social services (14.3%), retail trade (12.8%), arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (12.8%), and manufacturing (11.7%). The average commute for Oriental residents who are employed elsewhere is 30 minutes. 

Housing
Oriental is a small community with beautiful housing opportunities. Many properties have additional acreage and a waterfront location. Homes in Oriental have prices with a wide range. A modest single family home can be purchased for under $200,000 but luxury estates with acreage on the waterfront can range to the upper 700’s
.
There are also many new condominium developments in the area, and many properties are purchased as second-homes for owners from the big city. The picturesque towns of coastal North Carolina are also popular areas for retirement. 

Recreation
Outdoor recreation in this small community is focused on water activities, because of its location near the Intracoastal Waterway and the Pamlico Sound. This area is definitely one of the choicest locations on the East Coast for people who love boating, and Oriental is particularly known for its sailing opportunities. Fishing and pleasure boating are also popular.  

The Pamlico County Parks and Recreation Department provides youth programs such as soccer, basketball, softball, and cheerleading; and adult volleyball, basketball, and softball. There are also instructional classes in archery and kayaking, among others. 

The town of Arapahoe is less than 12 miles away, where golfers can enjoy the 18-hole semi-private course at the Minnesott Golf and Country Club. Washington, NC, and Kinston NC, are 59 miles and 63 miles (respectively) from Oriental. The Washington Yacht and Country Club has a private 18-hole course,
and the Kinston Country Club, and Falling Creek Country Club (also in Kinston) have 18-hole private courses as well. 

Special Attractions/Events
Although Oriental is a town of less than 1,000 people, there are two popular annual festivals hosted locally. Croakerfestival is an arts event that is held every year during the 4th of July weekend, and the Spirit of Christmas occurs each year in early December. 

The town is a growing art colony, with art galleries continuously hosting exhibits throughout the year. The “Old Theater”, at the Pamlico County Civic and Cultural Center, houses the Pelican Players; and it is also the site where the Pamlico Music Society hosts visiting musicians. 

Oriental is a place to relax. There are many opportunities for walking, biking, fishing, and kayaking. Oriental is also considered to be the sailing capital of North Carolina, providing access to some of the best sailing on the East Coast of the United States. 

The uniqueness of Oriental can be found in the rural, coastal pleasures of the small communities in the area. The city of Jacksonville is 53 miles from Oriental, and provides all the services and amenities required on an occasional visit to the “city”. 

Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
The city was named for the ship Oriental, which sank nearby in 1862. The community was previously called Smith’s Creek. 

A man named Louis Midyette founded the town, after taking shelter in the harbour during a storm. 

Oriental was a busy port in the early 1900’s, but there were hard times after the depression. In the 1960’s, sailing enthusiasts discovered the area, and there was a resurgence of the town. 

Oriental is the hometown of Kevin Williamson, the creator of Dawson’s Creek. 

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