$1,072,703Average Value$638Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes 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
Ebonè Highsmith,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Holden Beach, NC sell after 84 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 $1,161,250, up 19% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ready for the 2026 season, this turnkey investment opportunity delivers the unobstructed ocean views and lifestyle of an oceanfront property at a smart second-row price point. Strategically optimized for the rental market, the highly desirable 4-bedroom configuration places this asset in a higher tier of revenue potential. Guests enjoy a seamless beach experience with deeded access located
Coastal living hits different on the west end of Holden Beach and this meticulously maintained, non-rental home is proof. Just steps from the Intracoastal Waterway and the beach, you'll love having private beach access at the end of the street, plus beautiful sunsets and ICW views from the expansive front porch where you can relax and watch the boats cruise by. Step inside to a bright, airy main
Here is your opportunity to own a beautiful, well-maintained 2 bedroom home on the east side of Holden Beach. There is an awning over the back deck as well. This home is being sold furnished except for personal items in closets and storage room underneath. Also, deck and porch furniture do not convey. This is a great location and on a quiet street. Upgrades include Hardee Board siding, HVAC
Here is your opportunity to own a beautiful, well-maintained 2 bedroom home on the east side of Holden Beach. This home is being sold furnished except for personal items in closets and the storage room underneath. Upgrades include water heater in 2018, new Hardee Board siding in 2018, new windows & doors in the past 5 years, This is a great location and is on a quiet street. Sitting on your
HERE IT IS! Experience breathtaking ocean views AND long-range canal views and boating access from this spectacular new-construction coastal home. Perfectly positioned to overlook the iconic Holden Beach Pier, this property delivers some of the most incredible views you will find anywhere on the island.Situated at the top of a premier deep-water canal lot, the home enjoys expansive,
HERE IT IS! Experience breathtaking ocean views and sweeping panoramas of the Intracoastal Waterway from this spectacular new-construction coastal home. Thoughtfully designed and professionally styled, this 7-bedroom stunner delivers the luxury, space, and setting you've been dreaming of.Spanning approximately 3,200 sq. ft., the home offers two spacious living rooms, an airy and sun-filled
Discover the ultimate sanctuary in this stunning oceanfront retreat. Perfectly positioned to offer the best of both worlds, you can start your mornings watching the surf and end your evenings overlooking the peaceful marsh. With a proven rental history and a heated pool for year-round enjoyment, this home is both a getaway and a high-performing asset as well. Inside, the well-designed kitchen
Highly coveted intracoastal waterway homesite could now be yours with over 200ft of water frontage, its own exclusive riparian pier/dock rights, nestled in a private cul-de-sac inside the affluent, amenity rich gated community of Seascape at Holden Plantation! For those seeking the coastal marine lifestyle, it's only 1 mile to power your vessel to the Lockwood Inlet and out into the open blue of
Come enjoy the coastal lifestyle at this charming 4-bedroom, 2-bath canal-front retreat on beautiful Holden Beach. Just a short stroll from the sand, this fully furnished, two-story getaway offers everything you need for effortless coastal living—including an air hockey table for family fun! Step outside to find two spacious rear decks, perfect for morning coffee or evening sunsets with sweeping
Welcome to this spectacularly 4-bedroom 4.5 bath custom built home, which is an elegant coastal sanctuary located on the sought-after shores of the west end gated section of Holden Beach. This home is designed for refined seaside living. This beautifully appointed home offers a perfect balance of sophistication, comfort, and relaxed island charm on Holden Beach. The interior showcases a bright,
Your buyers will appreciate this beautiful ocean front home. Under the watchful eye of the professional designer/homeowner this home was designed and furnished leaving no detail overlooked. The home includes five bedrooms and five full beautifully appointed baths, as well as a private office on the second floor. Everyone will enjoy meal prep in this spacious and wonderfully equipped kitchen. The
EMBRACE THE CALL OF SWEEPING OCEAN AND MARSH/ICW VIEWS THAT MAKE OWNING A SECOND ROW BEACH HOME SO IRRESISTIBLE! This 4 bedroom, 3 full bath coastal retreat features an inverted floor plan designed to bring the stunning scenery indoors, with a lower level den and an open, light filled living area upstairs. Three Bedrooms are located on the main level, with one Bedroom upstairs. Enjoy tranquil
What a gem this home is! There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as a large kitchen and great room. Also, to sit and to relax there is a screened porch on the canal and an open deck on the street side of the home. The owners have transformed this home to a bright and cheery comfortable retreat. With a pier to the canal in your back yard and the beach access very close by, this home
Available for long term rental! 2813 Arrow Wood Dr, a delightful two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home located in Supply, NC. Conveniently situated nearby the pharmacy, grocery store, ice cream shops, and the warm shores of Holden Beach this property offers both comfort and accessibility for a relaxed lifestyle. Featuring spacious living areas and an inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for
Charming Long-Term Rental Just Minutes from Holden Beach!Welcome to 1370 Cedar Landing Drive, Supply, NC — a rare opportunity to live just minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway and the causeway to Holden Beach! This charming home is ideally situated to local favorites like the iconic Provisions Company.Offered as a long-term rental with a 12-month minimum lease, this property provides
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