$421,305Average Value$195Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
A small community gathering for homecooked meals
In 1915, community leader Captain Joe Pigott named this unincorporated area Gloucester after the New England town of the same name. While it was once primarily a fishing village, lumbering and farming became lucrative for the small community. With a population of around 500 residents, Gloucester is a tight-knit group that may be difficult to fit in with right away. “They have their own little language down that way,” says Kyle Graham, a broker and Realtor with Re/Max who has lived in the area since 1997. “They’re particular and don’t like outsiders.” The Gloucester Community Center was created in 1955 to improve the community through petitioning for safety measures, like better roads. In the clubhouse, citizens make homecooked meals for fundraising events, some of which still happen today. “Most of the people have been there for their whole lives,” Graham says.
The Gloucester Community Center is the gathering spot for events and fundraisers.
Gloucester received it's name in 1915 from Captian Joe Pigott.
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Boating to The Cape Lookout Seashore
“Down in Harker’s Island, which is close by, they’ve got a Waterfowl Museum,” says Alan Leary, a Carteret County native and Realtor with Re/Max Ocean Properties. “It pays tribute to all former residents who have made that community such a good place to be.” Residents can also take their boats to The Cape Lookout National Seashore and Lighthouse. “Anyone who lives near or on the water has a boat,” Graham says. The black and white diamond patterned lighthouse is affectionally known as Our Lady Diamond. It is not currently open for climbing, as it’s expected to undergo repairs in late 2024. The seashore is a popular swimming spot, but swimmers should be cautious of winds and wave patterns, as there are no lifeguards. Shackleford Banks is the southernmost barrier island on the seashore, known for wild horses roaming the beach.
Many of the residents of Gloucester own their own boats.
Although you cannot go inside the lighthouse, you can tour the Lighthouse Keeper’s House..
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More land than homes on the market
Small cottages, ranch-styles and farmhouse-inspired homes are the norm in Gloucester. They tend to sell in the low $100,000s to the low $200,000s. While homes are often under 1,200 square feet, they may sit on multiple acres. Dense trees seclude some properties, and residents cannot see their neighbors from their homes. In 2023, more plots of land went on the market than houses. "The population can only increase so much, because a lot of the properties won’t work for septic,” Graham says. “So, you can’t build on a lot of the wetlands.” Land prices range from around $35,000 for a half-acre to $250,000 for a waterfront property.
Many of the waterside homes have long docks due to tides going in and out.
Seaside home are a popular option in Gloucester.
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Celebrating Mardi Gras the Gloucester way
Gloucester Community Center has hosted a Mardi Gras parade and festival for over 30 years. Residents gather to make food the night before while listening to live music. Caught Wild celebrates local music and seafood in the summer, while The Down East Holiday Arts & Crafts Show and Farmers Market happens around Christmas. Winter events and festivals like the Beaufort Pirate Invasion and the Carolina Chocolate Festival in Morehead City bring in tourists beyond the summer months. Graham says, "It feels like we’re becoming more of a year-round place.”
Gloucester is located on the northern side of The Straits.
Gloucester started as primarily a fishing village.
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Shopping and dining in Smyrna and Beaufort
A couple of miles north, the town of Smyrna has a small commercial area with a coffee shop, thrift shop and local grocery store, Lookout Grocery. El East is a cash-only restaurant where the food is made to order. They opened in 2024 but quickly gained attention for lower prices, including a $3 hot dog and seafood specialties like their oyster burger. Residents can travel about 15 miles to Beaufort for more shopping and dining options. Beaufort’s historic downtown is walkable and features antique shops, the North Carolina Maritime Museum and waterfront eateries, including Black Sheep Beaufort.
For weekly groceries you can drive 5 minutes to the Lookout Grocery in Smyrna.
The shops of Downtown Beaufort are only 20 minutes away from Gloucester.
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High scoring Carteret County schools
Smyrna Elementary scores a 7 out of 10 on Great Schools. Down East Middle earns an A-minus score on Niche. East Carteret High is a B-plus-rated high school that serves around 600 students from 13 rural communities and larger towns, including Beaufort. Students can earn an occupational diploma or join the Career & College Promise, a program allowing high school students to earn college credit tuition-free.
The Smyrna Elementary School serves just of 298 students.
The Down East Middle School serves students in grades 7th and 8th.
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U.S. 70 is the new Interstate 42
U.S. 70 is a few miles from Gloucester. The highway has been designated as the new Interstate 42 and is expected to increase the area’s popularity. “When I-140 went to Wilmington, it ballooned up,” Graham says. “It’s going to get like Wilmington here in the next 10 years.” A trip to Downtown Morehead City will take between 15 to 20 miles. Both the Morehead City Ferry and Island Express Ferry service Gloucester. Hurricane season is from June to November, and residents should be aware of evacuation routes during a hurricane or tropical storm. Local radio and news stations are the best source for information on storm warnings. The area also has a high flood risk.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Sandra Dee Johnson,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Cape Lookout National Seashore
Picnic Area
Trails
Hiking
Shackleford Banks
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Gloucester
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Gloucester, Beaufort sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Gloucester, Beaufort over the last 12 months is $233,333, down 28% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifuls views of Core Banks, Browns Island and the Straits, this lot is waiting for your vision. This property has its own concrete boat ramp on site and the shoreline is protected by rip rap. The lot is partially cleared to take advantage of the views with plenty of space for your dream home in the serene community of Gloucester. Just 15 minutes to Beaufort and an easy boat ride to Cape
Beautiful waterfront property consisting of 3 lots with a total of 17,92 acres. With over 354 feet of waterfrontage, remnants of an old boat ramp, dock with fish cleaning station, built in picnic table and benches and covered boat lift, enjoying all of the recreation these waters provide is easy.The property also includes 2 storage structures for all of your toys.The little cottage is being sold
SELLER IS OFFERING A $3000.00 BUYER CONCESSION & $600 TOWARDS FIRST YEAR HOME WARRANTY OF BUYERS CHOICE. This home offers views of the Straits water way & Harkers Island. Tucked away on a private road IN Gloucester NC, this two-story residence occupies .90 acres, boasting roughly 121 feet of waterfront. It features a boat dock with a slip and lift, perfect for housing your vessel for fishing
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Sandra Dee Johnson,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
483
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$53,461
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$74,178
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.6%
College Graduates
19.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7%
% Population in Labor Force
56.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
55''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
