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Holly Ridge

Holly Ridge

Located in Onslow County

$397,822 Average Value
$255 Average Price per Sq Ft
132 Homes For Sale

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.

Rylee Doyle
Written By
Rylee Doyle

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to John Blackmon, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Holly Ridge Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$425,000
Median Sale Price
$386,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$464,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$269,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$395,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
271
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
12%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$255

Area Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,104
Number of Homes for Sale
132
Median Year Built
2012
Months of Supply
5.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,091
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,618
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,141
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
611
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
15,245

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Aug 31
    Open Sun 1PM - 3PM

    413 Summerhouse Dr, Holly Ridge, NC 28445

    $725,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3.5 Baths
    • 3,046 Sq Ft
    • 413 Summerhouse Dr
    • New 19 days ago

    PRIME LOCATION! It's more than a home, this is a LIFESTYLE! Welcome to a Summerhouse classic, where sunsets over Spicer Lake (affectionately known by residents as ''The Big Lake'') are part of your daily routine. Built in 2021 by Reeves Construction, this popular and functional floorplan checks every box -- curb appeal, thoughtful design, and a location that captures the very best of

    Nancy Hays Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

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  • Sunday, Aug 31
    Open Sun 1PM - 3PM

    108 Bethea St, Holly Ridge, NC 28445

    $440,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,424 Sq Ft
    • 108 Bethea St
    • New 12 days ago

    In search of coastal NC living outside city limits? Here's your chance! This charming home is located in the sought-after Redd's Cove community, offering deep water access and a private boat ramp. Upon arrival, you'll be drawn to the instant curb appeal, highlighted by a mature crepe myrtle. Inside, the foyer welcomes you to the living room featuring vaulted ceilings and centered by a gas

    Janene Smith The Oceanaire Realty

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  • Sunday, Sep 7
    Open Sun 12PM - 4PM

    600 Salt Grass Ct, Holly Ridge, NC 28445

    $1,290,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,649 Sq Ft
    • 600 Salt Grass Ct
    • New 24 days ago

    Welcome to the Coresound Cottage by Channel Marker Builders! This exceptional coastal retreat, where luxury design and functional elegance come together to create the perfect waterfront home. This 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom residence features a reversed floorplan, thoughtfully designed to maximize space, comfort, and breathtaking Intracoastal Waterway views. The first floor is dedicated to comfort

    Kristen Downing RE/MAX Executive

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Holly Ridge Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
5,552
Median Age
34
Population under 18
28.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$77,639
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$125,587

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.7%
College Graduates
40.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.5%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
59''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

24 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Holly Ridge