Castle Hayne offers space, stables and a slower pace near Wilmington
As Interstate 40 crosses the Northeast Cape Fear River north of Wilmington, it passes by the peaceful rural enclave of Castle Hayne. This longtime farming community, home to around 1,250 people, is known regionally for its lively Polish-themed festival and offers a slower pace of life, only about 8 miles from the Port City’s northern limits. “Castle Hayne is very up-and-coming. Your dollar stretches farther, and your lots tend to be larger,” says Caroline Dugas , a former resident and the owner of Living Seaside Realty Group. “There are a bunch of stables out there, so Castle Hayne has a lot for horse people,” says Dugas, who adds that the river is a big draw and highway access puts Wilmington shopping districts within reach.
A variety of single-family homes close to the Northeast Cape Fear Rive
Pastures and mature trees surround many of the single-family homes in Castle Hayne. The community features a mix of ranch-style homes, farmhouses and custom neotraditional builds on lots that can exceed an acre. The Bridgewater Bluffs subdivision offers waterfront property along the Northeast Cape Fear River.
The median price for a single-family home is around $420,000. Properties don’t go on the market often. In March of 2025, a 2,000-square-foot home on nearly 2 acres sold for about $780,000. A few months later, a roughly 1,900-square-foot home with an acre of land sold for about $520,000.
Castle Hayne is zoned for B-rated public schools
New Hanover County Schools receives an A-minus overall rating from Niche and has around 25,000 students learning across more than 40 schools. The district offers some school choice, as students can apply to any of its high schools, which each offer a signature program or specialty. All of Castle Hayne is zoned for Castle Hayne Elementary, which earns a B-plus rating and shares a tree-hugged campus with the B-rated Holly Shelter Middle. Emsley A. Laney High gets a B-plus and is home to the district’s STEM program. Area private schools include Northside School of Christian Leadership and Wilmington Christian Academy, both of which Niche does not yet rate. The north campus of Cape Fear Community College, home to the A-rated Wilmington Early College High, is less than 5 miles from Castle Hayne. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a little over 10 miles away.
Recreation from the Northeast Cape Fear River to Wrightsville Beach
With the Northeast branch of the Cape Fear River to the north, spending time on the water is a popular pastime in Castle Hayne. The community has a public boat ramp and fishing pier off Castle Hayne Road. Nearby, the 11-acre Riverside Park offers a gazebo with views of the water. Castle Hayne is home to Hanover Stables, where horse lovers can take riding lessons, enjoy trial rides and host birthday parties. Playgrounds, pickleball courts and a disc golf course are less than 5 miles away at Northern Regional Park. Closer to Wilmington, Blue Clay Bike Park offers a range of trails for mountain bikers of all skill levels. Wrightsville Beach, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and surfable waves, is less than 15 miles away.
Celebrating regional heritage at the St. Stanislaus Polish Festival
For nearly a quarter of a century, thousands of Wilmingtonians have descended on Castle Hayne for the annual St. Stanislaus Polish Festival. The event, held on the first Saturday in November at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, celebrates Polish traditions, music and cuisine. “It’s a lot of fun — polka, Polish food like kielbasa and horseback riding,” Dugas says. Enjoying a live performance from the Harbour Towne Fest Band and trying a pour of the St. Stan’s Baltic Porter, which Front Street Brewery creates for the event each year, are highlights of the festival. The event serves as a fundraiser for the church.
A few retailers and restaurants dot U.S. Route 117
Most businesses in Castle Hayne are located along U.S. Route 117, also known as Castle Hayne Road. This commercial stretch features Fresh Foods IGA, CVS Pharmacy and Dollar General, as well as a hardware store, gas stations and shops like Seaglass Monthly Market, an indoor market that’s open once a month and features more than 50 area artisans and curators. Two local restaurants join familiar fast-food chains. Buen Dia Mexican Breakfast & Lunch is a morning stop for traditional dishes like chilaquiles and tamales, while Jung’s Egg Roll Express offers an eclectic menu featuring Chinese and Korean fare and is known for its house-made egg rolls. Dugas says residents typically head into Wilmington for more diverse shopping and dining options, from boutiques in Historic Downtown Wilmington to national retailers in University Centre. “Castle Hayne sits on I-40. So, you can take the Castle Hayne exit and be at Target in 10 minutes,” Dugas says.
Castle Hayne is a car-dependent community
U.S. Route 117 and state Route 133 are the main roads through Castle Hayne, taking commuters to Historic Downtown Wilmington, about 10 miles south, and Midtown, the city’s commercial core. Castle Hayne has close access to Interstates 140 and 40 to cross the Cape Fear River or head north towards Raleigh. Wilmington International Airport is about 8 miles away. The closest hospital, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, is about 15 miles south of Castle Hayne.
Important to know
FEMA flood maps show that properties along the Northeast Cape Fear River and Prince George Creek rest in or along flood hazard areas. According to First Street, the dense wooded portions of Castle Hayne face a slight risk of wildfire.
