$607,527Average Value$325Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
The heart of Hatteras Island
At the elbow of Hatteras Island, where the narrow strip of land widens and turns west, lies Buxton, a small village wedged between the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Best known as the home to Cape Hatteras and its iconic lighthouse, Buxton is also considered by residents to be the heart of Hatteras. “We moved here for the quality of life and the small-town feel,” says Carla Reynolds, a longtime Buxton resident and broker-in-charge at NC 12 Realty. “It’s all about the watersports. Fishing, kiteboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing: It’s part of the lifestyle.” Wendi Munden, another Realtor with NC 12 Realty who lives in the village, calls Buxton the epicenter of the island. “It’s where the schools are, our community building, our electricity company — all the infrastructure,” she says. “It’s just better for year-round living.” Indeed, this village has the highest year-round population on the island, with just over 1,200 permanent residents. However, some folks still purchase homes in Buxton for seasonal rentals, as Cape Point is one of the Outer Bank’s most prominent fishing spots.
Buxton is located in the County of Dare on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Buxton has colorful oceanfront homes with large balconies.
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Soundside and waterfront living
Waterfront property is in high demand here. Most homes in Buxton sit near the sea, the Sound or North Carolina Highway 12, the village’s main thoroughfare. In typical Outer Banks fashion, most houses sit atop wooden stilts and feature elaborate, multi-level balconies to take advantage of the oceanside views. Pastel-hued siding or traditional shingle siding are also common, though home styles can range from single-story Cape Cods to towering three-level stunners. While luxury waterfront properties can sell for $1 million to $2 million, most other single-family homes list in the $325,000 to $850,000, range depending on proximity to the beach.
Buxton has unique styles of homes with modern architectural details.
Buxton has beautiful bungalow-style homes with shaded porches.
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Visitors flock to the village’s trademark lighthouse
Buxton's widely recognized icon is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, its distinctive black and white spiral pattern visible for miles, drawing in visitors from all over to scale its height for an unmatched view of the island. Famously the tallest lighthouse in the country, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was a guiding light for sailors navigating the Cape’s treacherous Diamond Shoals, a chain of shifting sandbars where hundreds of ships crashed, earning the waters off the Outer Banks the infamous title “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Today, the lighthouse is a symbol of Buxton and the Outer Banks as a whole. The adjacent Museum of the Sea, located in the former lighthouse keepers’ residence, commemorates the barrier islands’ maritime history.
Surf fishing attracts anglers from all over
Miles of waterfront border Buxton on both the Sound side and the sea side of the island. “There’s not as much accessible beachfront in Buxton, because the National Parks Service owns so much of the oceanfront where Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is. So it’s a small beach area, which means less room for tourists,” Reynolds says. “However, we do have one of the only lifeguarded beaches on Hatteras Island.” Fishers and surfers converge at Cape Point, locally shortened to “the Point.” The strong currents here make it a popular spot for anglers to drive out on the sand and spend a day casting out to sea, and the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club has hosted an annual surf fishing tournament along the shore for over 60 years. Just north of town is Haulover Day Use Area, famously a hotspot for windsurfers and kiteboarders to catch some waves. Even landlubbers can find outdoor recreation in Buxton, partly due to its relatively large inland area of preserved woodlands. Buxton Woods Nature Trail winds through forests and marshlands, dotted by informative signs that narrate the village and the island’s history. Families head to the Dare County Fessenden Center for playground fun and youth baseball games, with summer camps and lessons offered at the park and recreation center.
Buxton locals enjoy surf fishing at Cape Point in Cape Hatteras.
Red Drum Tackle Shop in Buxton has all of your tackle needs for fishing.
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No chain stores, just mom-and-pop shops
Buxton has a small-town feel, with no big chain stores and few enough local businesses that it’s possible to get to know them all by name. However, residents still have enough to get by, and then some. Conner’s Supermarket is the go-to for groceries, while the charming cottage that operates as Buxton Village Book is a good spot to pick up a beach read. There’s a United Bank branch, a post office and an island rescue station in town. Residents can travel 15 minutes up to Avon for medical care at Outer Banks Family Medicine Avon, while furry friends are well cared for at the Coastal Animal Hospital of Hatteras Island. And, of course, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat year-round. “Orange Blossom Bakery is famous for its apple uglies. People travel across the island for them, these big old fried apple fritter things. I actually like their donuts better,” Reynolds said. “Buxton Munch is the number one restaurant in town on Tripadvisor, and they push hard for that. It’s a good little restaurant.”
Buxton Munch Co is a popular family restaurant with delicious food.
Pop's Raw Bar & Grill is a roadside seafood shack with great food and local vibes.
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The island’s only schools are in town
Buxton is home to two Dare County Schools: Cape Hatteras Elementary and Cape Hatteras Secondary School. The former scores a B-minus from Niche, while the latter receives a B and serves grades six through 12. Cape Hatteras Secondary School is equipped with a robust media center that hosts an annual horror short film contest for students, dubbed the Haunted Cape Film Festival. Both schools have fewer than 400 students.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School serves students pre-k to 5th grade in Buxton.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton serves students from grades 6-12.
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Along well-trafficked North Carolina Highway 12
N.C. Highway 12 connects Buxton to the rest of the Outer Banks. Kill Devil Hills, the most populous town on the islands, is roughly 60 miles north, a drive that takes an hour and 15 minutes. About 10 miles west is Hatteras, where residents can take a free ferry to Ocracoke.
Coastal considerations at higher elevation
When buying a home on an island, homebuyers should be aware of the risks that come with life in the Outer Banks. Most houses here are in a flood zone; hurricanes, tropical storms and nor’easters can affect properties throughout the year. However, Buxton is considered slightly safer due to its higher elevation, putting it at a lower risk for flooding than other areas in the Outer Banks. “For retirees who can’t or don’t want to climb a lot of stairs, most homes in the Outer Banks are on piling. In Buxton, with the higher elevation, you can find houses that are lower to the ground,” Reynolds says.
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On average, homes in Buxton, NC sell after 103 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Buxton, NC over the last 12 months is $495,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled in a peaceful, private setting surrounded by mature trees and lush coastal vegetation, this charming 3-bedroom, 2-bath cottage in Buxton offers a blend of classic Outer Banks charm and modern comfort. Designed to resemble the historic lifesaving stations, this well-maintained home is filled with character and craftsmanship, featuring wood floors, custom trim, and shiplap details
Beautiful, buildable homesite on the corner of Cape Point Way and Old Lighthouse Dr. No HOA! This homesite was cleared of trees back in 2022 but there is some growth on the site now. Site is level. Beach access is close by off of Tower Circle Rd and Old Lighthouse Rd. Seller paid the water tap fee and septic evaluation was done in 2022. The site will need 18 inches of fill for septic system.
Nestled on high ground in the Buxton Woods, this lot offers excellent opportunity to build a primary residence or a second home. Located in the Flowers Ridge Subdivision, this area is minutes from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Cape Point, multiple ORV beach access ramps, both the Elementary and High Schools, as well as local shops and restaurants. The majority of the lot lies within the elevated
Unlock the potential of this high-visibility commercial space located on the iconic NC Highway 12 in the heart of Buxton, NC—a thriving coastal community and gateway to the Outer Banks. With 2,500 square feet of flexible space, this property is ideal for retail, office, or mixed-use ventures.Key Features:Prime road frontage on NC-12 with constant year-round and seasonal trafficOpen floor
Nestled in the tranquil, mature maritime forest of Buxton Woods. This beautifully renovated home offers two bedrooms plus a versatile bonus room currently serving as a third bedroom, providing flexible space for guests, an office, or additional sleeping quarters. Featuring an open-concept living space and screened porch, this home is designed for seamless entertaining, with brand-new flooring and
This beautifully updated beach home is perfectly suited for it's quaint location. Diamond Point Estates is settled amongst native trees and is a short walk or bike ride to the beach. It boast many improvements as the current owners have so thoughtfully considered. In the Kitchen new cabinetry, single bowl sink, tile wall, hood vent, appliances and granite countertops give this space a sleek and
Exceptionally well maintained by the original owners, this coastal home is located on a quiet stretch of Diamond Shoals Drive in the heart of Buxton. Thoughtfully cared for and improved over time, the property offers a comfortable and functional layout with multiple levels of indoor and outdoor living space, making it well suited for a primary residence, second home, or investment property. The
Semi-oceanfront lot in Buxton's Cape Point Estates. When platted in 2005, this vacant lot appeared to be suitable for future development, however, a 2019 survey indicates the lot is within the CAMA setback requirement from the static vegetation line, which prohibits construction on the property. This parcel may be most beneficial to an adjacent or nearby property owner, or others who may seek an
Discover a rare gem in Buxton, NC, with this stunning 2.86-acre soundfront parcel. This prime piece of real estate offers unparalleled views, promising breathtaking sunsets and serene soundfront living. With 0.61 acres (26,777.31 sq ft) of uplands, this property provides ample space to build your dream home, perfectly positioned to maximize the natural beauty of the Outer Banks. Located at the
Let's take a stroll through 47452 Lost Tree Trail, a stunning custom home available in the highly sought after neighborhood of Hatteras Pines. Nestled within the Buxton Woods maritime forest, this one owner home is situated in the coveted and elevated "X Zone". On just over 1 acre you'll enjoy the shade and tranquility of mature Oaks, native Yaupon and American Holly trees and the privacy
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