Laid-back Edenton offers waterfront living in the Inner Banks
Edenton is where historic preservation, small-town spirit and nautical adventures anchor everyday life. This Chowan County town of 4,400 rests where the Albemarle Sound meets Edenton Bay. “I have lived there most of my life,” says Rene Sawyer, the owner of Rene Sawyer Realty. “You have families that come in with their kids to have a small-town atmosphere. We have people who come here to retire because it’s more relaxing.”
The second-oldest town in North Carolina, Edenton was a bustling capital of commerce and culture in the Colonial era. Today, tourists visit its many landmarks, from century-old homes to the iconic Roanoke River Lighthouse, which features a marker detailing the town’s ties to the Maritime Underground Railroad.
From classical homes downtown to waterfront condos
Known for its 18th-century architecture, Edenton features an array of historic homes, from ornate Victorians and grand Greek Revivals to spacious American Foursquares. These styles stand tall over the town’s smaller cottages, Craftsman bungalows and Cape Cods. Properties around downtown sit close together on neatly manicured lots. Farms surround ranch-style homes in the countryside. A few streets offer waterfront living, and new construction is popping up across the community.
The median price for a single-family home is around $340,000, well below the national median. Most fall between $110,000 and $630,000. However, well-preserved historic homes and waterfront properties range from $650,000 to $950,000. Most condos, located downtown and on the Albemarle Sound, cost between $260,000 and $355,000. Townhouses rarely hit the market. Between April and October 2025, only one unit sold for around $340,000.
A small school district with a new high school serves Edenton
Edenton-Chowan Schools earns a B overall rating from Niche. The district has around 1,700 students and four schools. White Oak Elementary, which Niche does not yet rate, offers prekindergarten through second grade. The B-rated D.F. Walker Elementary has third through fifth grade. Chowan Middle gets a B, and John A. Holmes High receives a B-minus. The high school’s original building was torn down in August 2023 and a new school is set to open on the same site in January 2026. In the meantime, students have been learning across three temporary campuses around town.
Parks, trails and the Albemarle Sound offer year-round recreation
From visiting town parks to cruising around the Albemarle Sound, Edenton residents are often active and outdoorsy. “We have a lot of boating going on,” says Sawyer, who adds that fishing in Edenton Bay is a popular pastime. Residents can rent pontoon boats and jet skis at the Edenton Marina. Nearby, boaters can dock at Colonial Park to see the Roanoke River Lighthouse up close. The park also has a playground and open space for picnics and events. Baseball fans can pack the wooden grandstand at Historic Hicks Field to watch the Edenton Steamers, a collegiate summer league team, play ball. Away from the bustle of town, Bennett’s Mill Pond appeals to nature lovers who want to kayak through towering cypress trees and enjoy birdwatching along quiet trails. The sandy beaches of the Outer Banks are within driving distance. “It’s really nice because you can go down there and spend the day and come back…You don’t have to spend money on a hotel,” Sawyer says.
Shopping and dining in downtown Edenton
Downtown Edenton is thriving. Historic buildings along South Broad Street are home to boutiques, art galleries and cafes. Shopper follow red-brick sidewalks to browse antiques, gifts, clothing and more. Restaurants include The Herringbone On The Waterfront, serving elevated American fare in a former herring icehouse. Seafood is the specialty at Waterman’s Grill, while Downtown Roots is a lunchtime favorite for soups and sandwiches. The restored Taylor Theater, dating to the 1920s, can screen two films at a time. “It’s almost like you're walking back in time, but the equipment is updated, so you have good movie quality,” Sawyer says. Food Lion is in town for groceries, and the closest national retailers fill shopping centers in Elizabeth City .
Annual traditions include Shrimp by the Bay and a holiday home tour
Seasonal events include the Sounds of Summer concert series at Colonial Waterfront Park and the Edenton Peanut Festival in October, which includes a big parade down South Broad Street. Sawyer says Shrimp by the Bay is one of the biggest events. Held a few days after the Peanut Festival, the event at the Historic Chowan County Courthouse Green features seafood, live music and dancing. Another popular tradition is the Christmas Candlelight Tour, giving the public a chance to see historic homes decked out for the holidays.
A walkable town with access to U.S. Route 17
Walking and driving are the main ways to get around Edenton, and it’s common to see people driving street-legal golf carts. U.S. Route 17 connects the town to communities across the Inner Banks region. Elizabeth City is less than 30 miles away. Greyhound offers bus service to destinations such as Wilmington , Greensboro and Charlotte . For flights, Sawyer says residents typically head to Norfolk International Airport, roughly 75 miles away, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, about 150 miles away. Healthcare is available in town at ECU Health Chowan Hospital.
A history of floods and hurricanes
Whether from hurricanes, tropical storms or rounds of heavy rain, flooding is a reality of coastal living in the Inner Banks. Edenton has experienced four major flooding events, most recently during Hurricane Florence in 2018.
