Senior Transportation in Elizabeth City, NC

Local figures

Senior Transportation in Elizabeth City, NC: the local picture

8.9%

of households have no vehicle (5.7% in Pasquotank County)

0.4 mi

to the nearest hospital with an emergency department (Elizabeth City)

3,507

residents 65 or older (19% of Elizabeth City)

36%

of residents 65+ report a disability (34% in Pasquotank County)

About 678 Elizabeth City households, 8.9%, have no vehicle (5.7% in Pasquotank County). The Census figure covers all ages, but older adults who stop driving are a large part of it.

Hospitals with an emergency department near Elizabeth City: Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City (0.4 mi); Vidant Chowan Hospital in Edenton (26 mi); Chesapeake General Hospital in Chesapeake (31 mi). Distances are straight-line, so allow more on the road.

36% of residents 65 and older report a disability. If walking is hard, look for a caregiver who is comfortable with walkers and car transfers, not only a driver.

Elizabeth City compared with Pasquotank County and North Carolina

Census figure	Elizabeth City	Pasquotank County	North Carolina
Households with no vehicle	8.9%	5.7%	5.3%
Residents 65+ with a disability	36%	34%	33%
Residents 65 or older	19%	19%	17%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	35%	25%	28%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	16%	10%	11%
Residents 85 or older	1.7%	1.7%	1.7%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$39,680	$52,532	—

Older residents in towns around Elizabeth City

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	Households with no car
Moyock, NC	15 mi	717	1.5%
Edenton, NC	26 mi	1,254	19%
Chesapeake, VA	27 mi	36,797	5.0%
Southern Shores, NC	31 mi	996	4.6%
Kitty Hawk, NC	33 mi	744	1.1%
Virginia Beach, VA	35 mi	72,515	4.6%

Hospitals near Elizabeth City

Hospital with an emergency department	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Phone
Sentara Albemarle Medical Center	Elizabeth City, NC	0.4 mi	3 of 5	(252) 335-0531
Vidant Chowan Hospital	Edenton, NC	26 mi	3 of 5	(252) 482-8451
Chesapeake General Hospital	Chesapeake, VA	31 mi	3 of 5	(757) 312-8121
Sentara Obici Hospital	Suffolk, VA	36 mi	4 of 5	(757) 934-4000

Straight-line miles from the center of Elizabeth City. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a caregiver who drives can help with

Rides to doctor, dental and therapy appointments
Waiting during the appointment and taking notes
Grocery shopping, pharmacy and errands
Trips to church, the senior center and family

Cost

What senior transportation costs in Elizabeth City

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,307 monthly median income of Elizabeth City households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a caregiver who drives

Giving up driving is a common reason older adults start to miss appointments and see fewer people. Before a caregiver drives, agree whose car is used, check that the auto insurance covers it, and agree a mileage rate in writing. The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center and the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can point you to free and low-cost ride programs.

Questions worth asking: May I see your license and proof of auto insurance? Will you drive your car or ours? How do you help someone with a walker in and out of the car? More in our senior transportation guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Senior Transportation in Elizabeth City: common questions

Where is the nearest emergency hospital to Elizabeth City?

Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City, about 0.4 mi in a straight line from the center of Elizabeth City (Medicare hospital file). Its listed phone number is (252) 335-0531. In an emergency, call 911.

How much does senior transportation cost in Elizabeth City?

At the North Carolina median aide wage of $15.02 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,302 a month in wages, which is 39% of the $3,307 monthly median income of Elizabeth City households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. North Carolina's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicare pay for rides to appointments?

Original Medicare covers emergency ambulance trips, not routine rides. Medicaid covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members, and some Medicare Advantage plans include rides (Medicare.gov).

More near Elizabeth City

More senior care near Elizabeth City

Senior Transportation in nearby cities

Other care in Elizabeth City

More for Elizabeth City families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Senior Transportation and Escorted Rides in Elizabeth City, NC