Atkinson offers quiet living among the blueberry farms
With a population of around 300, Atkinson is a small, rural escape where residents enjoy a slower pace of life. “Atkinson was once a thriving marketplace centered by the Train Depot,” says Vicki Foster, “Though the hustle and busy of commerce has long past, what remained was a quiet retreat from all that hustle and bustle.” The town’s nickname “Blueberry Land” originates from Mr. Frederick Coville, whose father was the first to domesticate wild blueberries. Coville was the first to grow the fruit in Atkinson, but the town still has multiple blueberry farms. There is some shopping and dining in town, but most options are in nearby Burgaw and Wilmington.
Houses with larger lots for horses and mini-farms
Lots may be smaller, closer to the town center of Atkinson. Farther out, properties tend to offer at least a few acres, nature and sometimes even waterfront views of ponds or the Black River. Many residents choose to own horses and other animals, using their backyards as mini-farms. "Housing in this area remains extremely competitive in the market," says Foster. “There’s a demand for homes located on larger land tracts.” Single-family houses start at nearly $195,000 and go up to $470,000. Manufactured homes range from $130,000 to $310,000.
Pender County Schools provide a community feeling
Students in Atkinson can attend Pender County Schools, which earns a B-plus overall score on Niche. Most homes are zoned for C-plus-rated Malpass Corner Elementary. West Pender Middle and Pender High School both receive C grades. The high school offers many Career and Technical Education programs, including agricultural mechanics, animal science and business management. Families can request a reassignment to a different school within the county. “All of the schools provide the same community feel as the town of Atkinson,” Fosters says.
Town Park, the Black River and annual events
Town Park has a softball field and gymnasium. There are more opportunities to explore the outdoors in Pender County, including Abbey Nature Preserve and Hampstead Kiwanis Park. The town is also close to the Black River, which is commonly used for kayaking and canoeing.
The community hosts several events throughout the year, including a Christmas Parade, Halloween Trunk-or-Treat and Fire Department fundraisers. “If you're looking for the hometown that you remember from your Grandparents or an avid fisherman in the local Black River, you'll find the coziness and comfort of knowing your neighbors and sharing all things home in Atkinson,” Foster says.
Local shops and restaurants and more options in Burgaw
Atkinson has a few places to shop, such as DG Market, Family Dollar, and a small grocer called Tienda Mexicana La Mixteca. The menu at Taqueria El Gammi has lunch specials with vegetarian options. The town also has a post office, library and gas station. Kelly’s Store is a small shop selling cold drinks, hot food and fishing supplies. Burgaw has Walmart and other grocery store options, as well as a few restaurants.
Commuting on major highways and walking around town
The area is mostly car-dependent, but residents can walk and bike within town limits. “The town is within 30 minutes of Wilmington and 15 minutes of Burgaw,” Foster says. “U.S. Route 421 and North Carolina Highway 87 connect the town to the local job markets in our region and will provide for a promising future going forward.” Atkinson has a fire department and a health center, but the nearest hospital is about 15 miles east in Burgaw. Wilmington International Airport is about 31 miles south.
