History of New Bern, North Carolina in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 5, 2026

New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina, serving as its county seat. The city had a population of 31,291 at the 2020 census. It is situated at the junction of the Neuse and Trent Rivers, close to Pamlico Sound on the North Carolina coast. The city is located a manageable distance from Raleigh, Wilmington, and Norfolk, Virginia.

1900: Constitutional Suffrage Amendment

In 1900, North Carolina passed a constitutional suffrage amendment that disenfranchised black citizens, excluding them from the political process.

1950: Atlantic and East Carolina Railway

As late as 1950, the Atlantic and East Carolina Railway offered passenger train service through New Bern to Morehead City to the east, by the Atlantic coast and to Goldsboro Union Station.

1951: Termination of Train Service

Passenger train service through New Bern was terminated by the end of 1951.

1955: Hurricane Ione

In 1955, Hurricane Ione caused significant flooding and damage in New Bern.

1965: Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided federal enforcement of constitutional rights, ending the suppression of black citizens in the political process.

1999: Hurricane Floyd

In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused significant flooding and damage in New Bern.

2000: Population growth from 2000 to 2010

From 2000 to 2010, the New Bern city population growth percentage was 27.7% (or from 23,128 people to 29,524 people).

2000: Population growth since 2000

The population of the New Bern area grew by 31% since 2000.

2010: New Bern 2010 Census

The City of New Bern 2010 Census information shows the population of the area was approximately 29,524 people.

2012: Racial breakdown

The 2012 racial breakdown includes White alone – 16,304 (54%), Black alone – 9,634 (31.9%), Asian alone – 1,844 (6.1%), Hispanic – 1,626 (5.4%), Two or more races – 747 (2.5%), American Indian alone – 50 (0.2%) and Other race alone – 13 (0.04%).

2014: Population of New Bern

In 2014, the population of the New Bern area was 30,291 people, with a gender distribution of 47.5% male and 52.5% female and a median resident age of 38.8.

2015: Household Income

In 2015, the median income for a household in New Bern was $41,285.

September 2018: Hurricane Florence Landfall

In September 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, causing a storm surge of up to 13.5 feet and heavy rains that severely flooded New Bern.