Holly Ridge has history as a military town close to sandy shores
Holly Ridge, part of North Carolina's Onslow County, is home to the Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp Davis. The base was built in 1941 during World War II as an anti-aircraft artillery center. Marines moved to be close to Camp Davis, and today, servicemembers and civilians live in Holly Ridge to be close to base and East Coast beaches. “There’s a great selection of homes,” says Matt Jones, broker and team lead of the Streamline Realty Team with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “A wide demographic can be attracted and still find an appropriate home. The biggest draw is proximity to Topsail, and there are benefits to being so close to Camp Lejeune and ... the ever-growing city of Wilmington. Holly Ridge is making a name for itself. They have an industrial park and Camp Davis. They’re overhauling the community park and working to make Holly Ridge a stand-alone community instead of a place in between Jacksonville and Wilmington.”
The Camp Davis Industrial Park has manufacturing and distribution companies, creating jobs for locals, though some residents commute to Jacksonville or Wilmington for work. Camp Lejeune recently underwent a $30 million renovation to refurbish and reopen parts of Camp Davis, and a new housing development nearby will bring even more growth to Holly Ridge.
Small single-family homes to large waterfront properties
The Neighborhoods of Holly Ridge subdivision has streets bordered by sidewalks, while most communities have sidewalk-free streets. Without sidewalks, homeowners have larger, uninterrupted yards. “We see more primary residents,” Jones says. “There’s some transition with the military, but if they retain a property, it tends to be a long-term rental.” Holly Ridge has the gated Summerhouse subdivision, where Craftsman homes and tall beach homes with stick designs sell for $450,000 to almost $900,000. The homes closer to the lake tend to sell for more than those away from the water. Other communities in Holly Ridge feature Craftsman and New Traditional homes that range from $285,000 to $600,000. Ranch-style and manufactured homes often sell for $140,000 to $285,000, and townhouses built in the past 10 years range between $170,000 and $300,000.
Living close to the coast means being prepared for hurricane season. Residents can find out which evacuation zone they’re in by visiting Onslow County’s Know Your Zone site. The nearby Coastal Elementary acts as a shelter during emergencies. Homes may also need flood insurance.
Route 17 leads to Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville
Commuters use U.S. Route 17 to drive nearly 22 miles to Jacksonville, which takes about 25 minutes. Camp Lejeune is closer, around 16 miles from home when using state Route 172 and the Sneads Ferry Bridge. The bridge route is blocked by a guarded checkpoint when approaching the gate, so only approved personnel use the bridge to reach the base. Places of worship in the area are mainly churches centered around downtown Holly Ridge, including Providence Baptist Church. The Holly Ridge Healthcare Center offers primary care services, but the nearest hospital and emergency room is the Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville.
Holly Ridge Municipal Park upgrades and quick trips to the beach
When residents want to get some fresh air, they visit Holly Ridge Municipal Park to practice on the multipurpose field, play on the baseball field or hang out on the playground. The park renovation Jones mentioned is still in the planning phase, but some additional amenities might include a splash pad or dog park. The public will have a chance to give opinions. Liberty Fountain Park is a quiet green space where memorial flags fly and benches surround the bubbling fountain. Holly Ridge may not be directly near the ocean, but Surf City and North Topsail Beach are 10 minutes away, making it easy to enjoy a day on the shore.
Buzz around the Bee Festival and Autumn with Topsail Festival
The area became a Bee City USA in 2023, and every April since, the Holly Ridge Community Center hosts the Bee Festival. Visitors can browse local vendors, order from food trucks and hang out in the beer garden. The festival also includes a kids’ zone and live entertainment. Before becoming a bee city, Holly Ridge had a different connection to pollinators: Camp Davis was home to the Women Airforce Service Pilots and Operation Bumblebee, an anti-aircraft defense effort. Jones highlights the Autumn with Topsail Festival in October. The three-day event is always full of artists, vendors and live music. Visitors might join the silent auction or let their kids explore the inflatables.
Students had a say in Dixon Middle's reconstruction
Kids attend Dixon Elementary School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. The B-rated Dixon Middle School feeds into Dixon High School, which receives a B-minus. The Onslow County Schools district continues to grow, and new schools have been built to avoid overcrowding. Dixon Middle’s new building opened in 2017, making room for around 950 students with more classrooms and an outdoor cafeteria space students requested during the design phase.
Breakfast at City Cafe and lunch at Smoky Tony's BBQ
Holly Ridge’s most popular restaurants line Route 17. Smoky Tony’s BBQ opens for lunch and dinner, though Sunday mornings are an exception, so residents can stop by for breakfast burritos. City Cafe is an early morning breakfast spot that also serves lunch. The cafe’s menu features pancake platters, breakfast sandwiches and omelets. Southern Roots Grille on Ocean Road also specializes in comfort food for breakfast and lunch. The Dollar General in town sells basic groceries, but residents can drive to Surf City to shop at Food Lion, Publix or the Walmart Neighborhood Market. Anyone who wants new clothes can explore Surf City boutiques, like Blue Ridge Boutique or Fisher Collective.
