$1,058,625Average Value$619Average Price per Sq Ft10Homes For Sale
Tight-knit community and swelling summer population on Holden Beach
Holden Beach is a town located on an 8-mile-wide barrier island along the North Carolina coast. The community is home to about 900 permanent residents. “If you don’t know everybody, you know of everybody that lives and works on the island,” says Anne Arnold, a broker agent for PROACTIVE Real Estate who has lived in Holden Beach for nearly 40 years. During the peak summer season, the population soars to between 10,000 and 20,000 people. “The majority of the homes here are second homes for summer use, or investment properties for short-term rentals,” says Arnold.
Holden Beach's commitment to preserving its natural beauty includes regulations limiting building heights and commercial development.
Despite its small size, Holden Beach has been recognized as a top family beach destination by National Geographic Traveler.
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Homes on pilings in the fully developed town
The median price is $900,000. Arnold says the island is almost fully developed, with only a few plots of land left. “If we want to build on an oceanfront lot, we have to buy an old house and tear it down and start over,” she says. All homes on the island are on pilings, per FEMA code, because of their proximity to the ocean. “People try to design, as much as they can, as attractive a home as they can possibly have it,” Arnold says.” Most homes sit along the community’s main street, Ocean Boulevard, with a sidewalk lining one side. Some homes are situated on narrower side streets, a few along canals flowing from the Intracoastal Waterway. Arnold describes most homes as a mix between Colonials and transitional style. A smattering of contemporary homes can also be found. A small section on the island's western side encompasses a gated community.
Homes featuring docks in Holden Beach have a sale-to-list ratio of 103.8%, often selling above asking price due to high demand.
In March 2025, homes in Holden Beach sold in an average of 53 days, indicating a relatively brisk market pace.
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Residents and visitors enjoy boating, fishing and free summer concerts
Holden Beach is nicknamed “The Family Beach,” offering a quiet, laid-back experience. It is known for its boating, fishing and hiking. A pier is in the middle of the island, and many anglers enjoy fishing along the shore. Shell hunting is also popular. Bridgeview Park sits along the Intracoastal Waterway and has a playground, splash pad, multipurpose court and kayak launch. The park hosts a free summer concert series every Sunday from May through August.
Holden Beach offers diverse fishing opportunities, from inshore waters teeming with red drum and flounder to offshore adventures targeting king mackerel and mahi-mahi.
The calm waters around Holden Beach are ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, providing opportunities to observe local wildlife and enjoy scenic views.
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Seafood restaurants and a general store, with more options off the island
The island has three restaurants - Castaways Raw Bar and Grill, Mermaid’s Island Grill and Dock House Seafood & More. A coffee shop and ice cream store are also among the offerings. The town’s only general store has a selection of basic items. A couple of stores sell swimsuits, beach gear and souvenirs. A Food Lion grocery store and Walgreens pharmacy are just 1 mile across the bridge. The Home Depot, Belk and Walmart, as well as an urgent care center, are found in Shallotte, about 10 miles away.
Holden Beach dining and entertainment offer intimate and relaxed atmospheres enjoyed by families.
Castaways Raw Bar & Grill in Holden Beach features a fun tiki hut theme and beautiful water views, thanks to its location just across the street from the ocean.
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Children zoned for Brunswick County Schools
Children are zoned for Brunswick County Schools. The district has a B on Niche. Virginia Williamson Elementary has a B. Cedar Grove Middle School and West Brunswick High School are rated B-minus. Multiple private schools are also found in Brunswick County. L & L Montessori School, a pre-K through 8th grade school in Southport, is popular with families on the island, Arnold says.
Cedar Grove Middle School collaborates with Communities In Schools to offer mentoring programs, where students engage in activities that build character and set personal goals.
West Brunswick High School offers extracurricular activities, including clubs and organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), JROTC, and the International Club.
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Transportation and protecting homes from erosion
Ocean Boulevard is the island’s main thoroughfare, crossing east to west. “Most of the time the traffic moves, it might be a little bit slower because people are looking for that number on the house that they can pull into off our main street,” says Arnold. Holden Beach Bridge is the only way off the island.
The community is considered at severe risk of flooding, according to climate modeling website First Street, with nearly 100% of properties at risk over the next 30 years. As in other coastal towns, Holden Beach did lose some homes to the water because of erosion. “But early on, the wisdom of the elders so to speak, the people who were in charge realized that if we didn’t do something about our oceanfront we would basically lose the island and there would be no Holden Beach,” Arnold says. The town pursued grants and raised money to create an engineered beach. “That simply means that we added sand to the most critical areas on the island that were eroding,” she says. The effort is ongoing because “Mother Nature doesn’t quit."
Written By
Nour Habib
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
Video By
Matthew Bloch
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dana Wicker Cantrell,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Holden Beach, NC sell after 87 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Holden Beach, NC over the last 12 months is $1,172,500, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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