Boating and fishing are a way of life in family-friendly Cedar Point
Waterways wrap around the laid-back community of Cedar Point. This small town along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast is home to fewer than 1,800 residents who enjoy outdoorsy lifestyles removed from the beach tourism nearby in Emerald Isle. Carla Buckhold, a Realtor with Bogue Banks Realty, who grew up across the White Oak River in Swansboro, says there are three reasons why homebuyers look in Cedar Point: “The schools, the boat access and lower taxes.” She adds that this close-knit community of generational families, retirees and snowbirds welcomes newcomers with open arms. “There are a lot of things to be involved in and volunteer for. Even a single older person who’s moving in, it’s easy to meet people and get involved,” Buckhold says. While Cedar Point hosts a few inns and an RV campground, tourism is only a small portion of the town’s economy. Marine fisheries, agriculture and retail trade are the main industries.
Condos and single-family homes on or close to the waterfront
Cedar Point’s single-family homes line narrow roads branching off from state Highways 24 and 58, which intersect in the middle of town. Many homes are grouped into subdivisions offering various architectural styles, ranging from manufactured homes and bungalows to two-story neo-traditional designs and coastal-colored farmhouses. Sought-after waterfront properties often rest on stilts and typically feature private docks and boat slips. Wrap-around or full-length porches offer views of the Intracoastal Waterway, White Oak River or Pettiford Creek. Most single-family homes cost between $340,000 and $680,000. However, manufactured homes fall between $150,000 and $280,000, and particularly large properties on lots over a third of an acre start around $800,000 and can exceed $1.5 million. Bridge Point features newly built townhouses from $300,000 to $340,000, and two condo communities offer units from $250,000 to $330,000. Some properties have monthly homeowners association fees, which typically range from less than $30 to around $75.
A-rated public schools serve Cedar Point
Carteret County Public Schools, which receives an A-minus overall rating from Niche, has around 8,000 students learning across 18 schools. All of Cedar Point is zoned for the same schools: the A-minus-rated White Oak Elementary, the A-rated Broad Creek Middle and the A-minus-rated Croatan High. Carteret Community College, which offers workforce training and nearly 100 associate’s degree programs, is around a 19-mile drive from town.
Cedar Point offers many outdoor activities on land and on the water
As a community surrounded by waterways, Cedar Point is big on boating. The town is home to several marinas, such as Dudley’s Marina, which has been storing, servicing and fueling vessels for more than 80 years. Buckhold says residents love to fish or cruise to one of the many little islands dotting Bogue Sound. Several charter services offer deep-sea fishing and tours. Emerald Isle’s sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean are a short drive across the B. Cameron Langston Bridge.
Cedar Point’s public parks offer more recreation. The 56-acre Boathouse Creek Park is popular for hiking and birdwatching. Its trails pass through open fields and wetlands before rewarding hikers with views of the White Oak River. Nearby, the Cedar Point Recreation Area, which is part of the Croatan National Forest, offers more hiking trails that traverse salt marsh. Kayakers can paddle through a labyrinth of shallow canals, and the campground offers tree-shaded campsites for tents and RVs. The sports-focused Western Park features a central playground surrounded by soccer and baseball fields as well as tennis, pickleball and basketball courts. Western Park Community Center hosts private events and community meetings.
Close to Cedar Point, Star Hill Golf Club is open to the public and has three 9-hole courses to choose from, while Carteret County Speedway entertains fans with thrilling short-track races.
CedarFest is organized with kids in mind
Cedar Point residents get together for events year-round, but one of the most popular celebrations is the family-focused CedarFest. Held each October at Boathouse Creek Park, the festival features multiple stages for live music, dozens of craft vendors and many activities for children, from bounce houses and games to a vehicle display with cars, boats and firetrucks. The event also gives residents a chance to explore the park’s various trails and amenities.
Small businesses, retailers and restaurants along state Highway 24
Lined with a variety of small businesses and a few national retailers, such as Tractor Supply Co., state Highway 24 serves as a commercial corridor. Sporting goods, gardening supplies, auto parts and antiques are all available along this main road. The Willis Farm Produce stand draws shoppers from around the area for its locally grown fruits and vegetables, while the Market at Cedar Point offers a variety of groceries and products from the region. Cedar Point Village features a few medical offices, including Western Carteret Medical Center.
Cedar Point is home to a few beloved local restaurants. The family-run Bogue House Restaurant has been in operation since 2001 and prides itself on serving Eastern North Carolina favorites, from barbecue to fried seafood. Angie's Lighthouse Café is a relaxed spot for breakfast and lunch with a classic American diner menu. More restaurants are nearby in Swansboro, Emerald Isle and Cape Carteret; both Lowes Foods and Lowe’s Home Improvement are located in Cape Carteret.
For more comprehensive shopping, name-brand and department stores fill Cypress Bay Plaza and Crystal Coast Plaza, about 15 miles away in Morehead City.
Highway access links Cedar Point to nearby towns and cities
While walking and biking are common in Cedar Point, driving is the main way to get around, and residents here rely heavily on personal vehicles. State Highway 24 runs through the middle of town, connecting the community to nearby cities like Jacksonville, less than 25 miles west, and Morehead City, around 20 miles east. State Highway 58 serves as the town’s eastern boundary and crosses the Bogue Sound to reach Emerald Isle. Interstate 40, North Carolina’s mountain-to-sea highway, is roughly 65 miles away. Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is about a 35-mile drive.
Important to know
The risk of hurricanes and flooding is a reality of living along the North Carolina coast. Mandatory evacuations are possible throughout the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which lasts from June through November.
Cedar Point receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10.
