Deep Run offers country living in Southern Lenoir County
As state Highway 11 gently curves through North Carolina’s Inner Coastal Plain, it passes by the small community of Deep Run. This rural enclave, many miles from major cities, offers seclusion and a slow pace of living. Fewer than 600 people reside in Deep Run’s original village, which was incorporated for a brief period in the 1920s. This once-bustling center hosts a high school, a volunteer fire department and a post office, among historic homes and a handful of businesses. A few thousand residents live in the surrounding quilt of farms and forest. About 10 churches dot the community, representing Christian denominations, such as Baptist and Methodist. Deep Run has a low risk for crime, according to the CAP Index, which gives it a Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4 out of 10.
Single-family homes on spacious lots that are miles from city lights
Most single-family homes in Deep Run sit between farms and patches of pine forest along winding country roads. Ranch-style homes and farmhouses are most common and feature at least half an acre of land. However, historic American Foursquares, bungalows and cottages rest close together on Old Highway 11 and the surrounding blocks in the community center. New construction is filling out the Aspen Ridge and Beaver Creek subdivisions. The median price for a single-family home is around $250,000, but prices range from $145,000 to $520,000. Properties typically sell after nearly 100 days on the market, roughly twice as long as the national average.
Potential buyers should note that most homes have private wells and septic systems, as lots are not connected to city or county water systems. Also, several creeks run through Deep Run. FEMA flood maps show some properties along these waterways face a flood risk.
Deep Run students can attend B-rated public schools
Lenoir County Public Schools earns a B-minus overall rating from Niche. The district has roughly 8,300 students across 17 schools, three of which serve all of Deep Run. Pink Hill Elementary receives a B-minus rating, while Woodington Middle gets a B. South Lenoir High, which is in the center of the community, earns a B-minus.
Pink Hill and Kinston offer shopping, dining and community programs
A few businesses dot Deep Run’s original main street, Old Highway 11. Between historic homes sits a small brick retail strip that hosts two boutiques and the Farmhouse, a locally owned counter-service café serving sandwiches and ice cream. A post office is down the street and Family Dollar is around the corner. Down State Highway 11, Pizza Plus boxes up classic pies and sub sandwiches to go. Food Lion, more restaurants and retailers, including boutiques and national chains, are available in Kinston and Pink Hill, which are roughly 12 and 7 miles away, respectively.
The Etta Jones Turner Branch of Neuse Regional Library is in Pink Hill and is a resource for residents around the region. “A lot of people use us for the computers, scanning and faxes,” says branch manager Lori Bradford, who adds that the library offers activities for all ages. “Every month, we have special adult programs. This month it’s a photography class. The previous month was about dog first aid. We also have a teen program, for ages 12 to 17, where they take cooking classes and play games.”
A small-town Independence Day parade and party
Deep Run residents get together for an annual Independence Day parade and celebration. Centered around the local fire station along Old Highway 11, the event starts off with a parade down the highway, followed by a party with local vendors, food and live music. Once the sun sets, the festivities culminate with a cash giveaway and a colorful fireworks show.
Outdoor recreation in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain
While Deep Run doesn’t have any public parks of its own, neighboring communities offer places to enjoy the outdoors. Pinewood Forest Park is about 6 miles south of Deep Run’s center in Pink Hill. Named for its location among towering pines, the park features a playground, a covered picnic area and a story walk, where families can read a story one page at a time as they step along a short trail. Kinston Music Park is around a 12-mile drive. This colorful park with sculptures, mosaics and murals celebrates the city’s rich history as a center for African American musicians. Northwest of Deep Run, the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park offers camping, hiking and access to the Neuse River, where visitors can fish, swim and kayak. Several protected forests offer similar activities as well as hunting within driving distance, such as Hofmann Forest and the Croatan National Forest. The sand and surf along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast are around 55 miles away.
Country roads and highway access
Due to its rural character, Deep Run is car-dependent, with country roads throughout. Two highways are available. State Highway 11 heads south to Pink Hill and north to Kinston, around 12 miles away. The city hosts the nearest hospital, UNC Health Lenoir. U.S. Route 258 links up with Jacksonville, which anchors the United States Marine Corps Camp Lejeune. Coastal Carolina Regional Airport offers the closest commercial flights. It’s about a 45-mile drive.
