$681,574Average Value$342Average Price per Sq Ft29Homes For Sale
The hub of Hatteras Island
Situated at the center of Hatteras Island, Avon is a small town in more ways than one. This beach village sits on a skinny stretch of land that’s hardly 2 miles across at its widest and is home to only a few hundred permanent residents. Despite it all, this two-stoplight town is considered a commercial center for the more remote surrounding villages. “Avon is the hub of all existence on the island,” says Carla Reynolds, a longtime island resident and the broker-in-charge at NC 12 Realty. Wendi Munden, another Realtor with NC 12 Realty, agrees: “Avon is more compacted with people from the ocean to the Sound because it’s very narrow, and there are long stretches of beaches.” Originally called Kinnakeet, an Algonquin word meaning “that which is mixed,” Avon has always been a place where people come together. While that original name referred to the mix of Native Americans and colonial English settlers, today, this coastal town is where tourists and locals intermingle.
Pamlico Sound views frame Avon’s waterfront homes on Hatteras Island.
Avon Fishing Pier features the 'Welcome to America’s Pier' arch.
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Beach cottages and oceanfront
In 2020, Avon's reported permanent population was 832, a number reflected in the town’s mix of rental homes and year-round residences. Some belong to resort communities such as Koru Village or Kinnakeet Shores, offering shared amenities to tourists and homeowners alike. Others perch right along the coastal dunes. “We’re seeing a lot more people retiring here, because we have more amenities than we used to, but it’s still a lot of second homes that people use as investment properties to rent out when they’re not here,” Munden says. Homes here share the Outer Banks’ trademark beachy styles, which include bright pastel hues or shingle siding, large wraparound balconies and wooden piling to mitigate damage from occasional high water levels. While it’s rare to find single-family homes selling under $400,000, some petite cottages might list for lower. On the opposite end, luxury waterfront properties can be listed for over $2 million.
Cottage-style homes appear across Avon, many with shade from live oaks.
Colorful saltbox-style homes line Avon’s side streets.
Oceanfront homes in Avon often feature wraparound balconies and pilings.
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Fishing passes and rods for rent
Miles of sandy shoreline greet beachgoers at Avon Beach, part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This stretch of sun and sea is a quiet respite compared to some of the busier beaches in the northern Outer Banks. In the middle of the beach is Avon Fishing Pier, which welcomes sightseers and fishermen with a wooden arch that reads “Welcome to America’s Pier.” In the decades since the pier’s construction in 1963, its daily fishing passes and rods for rent have made this a popular fishing spot for amateur and experienced anglers alike. After a long day of casting out, folks can refuel with food trucks that frequently park at the pier’s base. Stu’s Food Truck is a reliable fixture, known for its biscuits and barbecue served beachside. Haulover Day Use Area, about 3.5 miles south of the pier, is a secluded spot on the Pamlico Sound. On clear days, it's full of windsurfers taking advantage of the area’s calm, shallow waters.
Avon Fishing Pier offers day passes and rod rentals.
Avon Fishing Pier opened in 1963 and remains popular with anglers.
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Waterfront dining and the island’s only chain grocer
Avon is one of the more developed parts of Hatteras Island, making it comparatively easy to run errands. The area’s Food Lion is the only chain grocery store on the island, and Avon also boasts a post office, fire department and, importantly, healthcare facility at Outer Banks Family Medicine Avon. Despite the small-town feel of this beach village, residents don’t have to venture far to visit a hardware store, stock up on bait and tackle or hit the gym. On Tuesdays during the summer, locals and visitors flock to the Avon Farmers Market right off N.C. Highway 12 for fresh produce and handmade goods. There’s no shortage of seafood fresh from the coast, whether that means taking some home from Sunrise Seafood Market, or dining at one of the town’s many restaurants. “I like Oceanas Bistro, which is a locally owned business that does breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other one we go to is Po House, up in northern Avon. Their dining area has views of the water,” Munden says. At Po House, diners can sit right on the Sound for a waterfront dining experience supplemented by a seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients. While its cocktail list includes a rotating selection of frozen options, diners can also pick from playful concoctions such as an “Effen good” cucumber lemonade. For a morning pick-me-up before hitting the beach, some residents stop at Muffins and Scones for breakfast sandwiches and sweets.
Pangea Tavern pairs coastal fare with local taps near the Avon pier.
Food Lion in Avon is Hatteras Island’s only chain grocer.
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Students attend school in nearby Buxton
Dare County Schools serve students in Avon. Cape Hatteras Elementary scores a B-minus from Niche and sends sixth through 12th grade students on to Cape Hatteras Secondary School, which earns a B. Both schools have less than 400 students and are about a 15-minute drive south of Avon in Buxton. Career-minded learners can even get a head start with career and technical education courses at Cape Hatteras Secondary School, with course offerings in agriculture, carpentry and marketing.
Cape Hatteras Elementary in Buxton serves Dare County families near Avon.
Cape Hatteras Secondary in Buxton serves Avon students in grades 6–12 in Dare County.
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One major road keeps this village connected
Roughly 50 miles south of Kill Devil Hills, Avon is approximately an hour and five minutes away from the Outer Banks’ most populous town and its many attractions. To the south, the island makes a westward turn before hitting the Hatteras Inlet. Hatteras, with its ferry service to Ocracoke, is about 18 miles, or half an hour away. While Avon has a remote feel, residents have most of their everyday needs in town. To reach other destinations, N.C. Highway 12 is the Outer Banks’ primary thoroughfare, connecting Avon to other sites along the barrier islands.
Coastal concerns affect homeowners
Flooding is a major concern for homeowners across the Outer Banks, including Avon. Hurricanes and tropical storms have been known to affect the area, and most properties are located in a flood zone. As a result, homeowners may be required to purchase flood insurance. High winds and extreme heat can also impact life on the coast.
Photography Contributed By
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Video By
Rebecca Askin
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On average, homes in Avon, NC sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Avon, NC over the last 12 months is $500,000, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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This is one of the few remaining lots in Kinnakeet Shores that requires minimal clearing and grading—making it easier and more cost-effective to start building your dream home. Located on a large pond and spanning 0.35 acres, this prime homesite offers a peaceful natural setting with the potential for both sound and ocean views. Kinnakeet Shores is a well-established community known for its
Feel at home in this charming and cozy 2-bedroom cottage located on the soundside in Avon. Sunfish Cove is a wonderful vacation spot, conveniently located near shopping and restaurants.This cottage is styled and equipped according to the preferences of its owner. A coffee maker, microwave, toaster, pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, silverware, glasses, mattress pads, pillows, and blankets or
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
