North Topsail Beach

North Topsail Beach

Located in Onslow County

28445, 28460

$734,889 Average Value
$443 Average Price per Sq Ft
161 Homes For Sale

North Topsail Beach offers peace, natural beauty and easy access to busy areas

Topsail Island was named “Topsail” because the tops of sails were often visible when boats and pirate ships would sail into the bay. While the pirates are long gone, permanent residents and seasonal visitors continue to flock to North Topsail Beach's sandy shores. “The neat thing about North Topsail Beach is that it’s almost strictly residential, and you get a blend of tranquility and natural beauty,” says Matt Jones, primary broker at Streamline Realty Team with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “There’s a slower pace and stunning views. It also has easy access to Sneads Ferry, which is booming with commercial properties. You can be in the peace and quiet of the beach or in the heart of Snead’s Ferry." Ocean City Beach is also a part of North Topsail Beach. In the late 1950s, it was a beach community where Black residents and visitors were welcomed. Most of the original homes were destroyed by a hurricane in 1954, but the sense of diversity and living among fellow beach lovers lives on throughout North Topsail Beach.

From simple condos to luxury, oceanfront estates

North Topsail Beach has everything from waterfront condos to luxury estates with private docks. “The entire island has always been investment and commercially driven,” Jones says. “People buy second homes and rent them out during the peak season and then come back in the fall, which is my favorite time. The water is still warm, and it’s quiet. We’ve been seeing a lot more permanent residents.” The median single-family price is around $412,000, on par with the national median of about $400,000. Condos can start around $175,000 and reach around $600,000 for units closer to the shore. Single-family homes and townhouses might sell for as low as $400,000, while grand homes like those in the Ashe Island Estates gated community have sold for almost $4 million. Homes throughout the area are raised, often with a garage on the ground level and the front door on the second.

Chance of hurricanes and flooding

Being on the coast means dealing with occasional hurricanes and intense rain. Residents purchase flood insurance and keep emergency kits ready in case of an evacuation. North Topsail Beach has a 30-year management plan to nourish the beach by bringing in sand to improve spots of erosion. Some areas of the beach are supported by sandbags that become visible at low tide. After a hurricane, residents are encouraged to stay off the beach until the town can assess any damage.

Driving to Sneads Ferry, Camp Lejeune or Wilmington

“We’re fairly centrally located between Wilmington and Camp Lejeune,” Jones says. “People get the benefits of being outside the hustle and bustle but with amenities nearby.” Residents can keep their cars parked in their garages and use their registered golf carts or walk along sidewalk-free streets to reach the shore. Drivers taking a quick trip into Sneads Ferry use the North Topsail Bridge along state Highway 210. Wilmington is a little over 40 miles south on U.S. Route 17, about an hour drive, while the Camp Lejeune Marine base is 12 miles north, for a 20-minute drive.

The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Residents in the north part of the island might drive up to Coastal Carolina Care in Sneads Ferry for urgent care, but the nearest emergency room is Novant Health Scott’s Hill, almost 30 miles from North Topsail Beach.

North Topsail Beach restaurants with more in Surf City

Most restaurants in North Topsail Beach are on the first floor of condo resorts or hotels. “There’s Splash by the Sea,” Jones says. “That’s a nice place, and it’s in Villa Capriani. Ocean’s Edge is really cool. It’s on the top floor of St. Regis. You can go up there for dinner and see the moon rise or dolphins out in the ocean.” Splash by the Sea is open for lunch and dinner, and customers enjoy live music with their seafood on Tuesday and Saturday evenings. Coffee Joy, also in the St. Regis Resort, is the only coffee shop in the area. Andrews Produce opens its farmers market stand every spring, often stocked with preserves, fresh produce and ice cream. For a wider selection of groceries, residents visit the Food Lion in Sneads Ferry or the Surf City IGA. On the southern half of the island, Surf City has boutiques, gift shops and more restaurants.

Relaxing on the beach and watching for turtles

There are nearly 50 public beach access points, often with pay-to-park lots nearby. North Topsail Beach Town Park is right across the street from the shore, with tennis courts, a playground and piers stretching out into Alligator Bay. Golfers cross the bridge into Sneads Ferry to play a round at North Shore Golf Course, which is open to the public. Sea turtles are also seasonal residents of North Topsail Beach. Nesting season is from May through August, when turtles lay clutches of eggs in the sand. The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center welcomes volunteers who can walk the beach to spot nests and keep an eye on them in October, when turtles often hatch.

Living near the best elementary school in Onslow County

Niche gives the nearby Coastal Elementary School a B-plus and ranks it as the best public elementary school in Onslow County. Some students might attend Dixon Elementary School, which also earns a B-plus. The B-rated Dixon Middle School feeds into Dixon High School, which receives a B-minus.

Jazz artists and fans fill historic Ocean City Beach

The Ocean City Jazz Festival has been a July tradition for over 15 years. Jazz artists from across the country come together to celebrate Ocean City Beach’s heritage of creating space for culture and diversity. The Wade Chestnut Memorial Chapel was built in 1957. Today, the church opens during the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and a different pastor holds service each week.

Rylee Doyle
Written By
Rylee Doyle

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

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

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

North Topsail Beach Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$539,450
Median Sale Price
$548,700
Median Single Family Sale Price
$925,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$517,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$349,888
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
118
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$6
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$443

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
161
Months of Supply
16.40

Open Houses

  • Friday, Jun 13
    1 - 3pm

    310 Bay Cir, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460

    $1,399,000

    • 7 Beds
    • 5 Baths
    • 2,853 Sq Ft
    • 310 Bay Cir
    • New 9 days ago

    Fully furnished with a breathtaking view of the ICW! This 7 bedroom 5 bathroom is a North Topsail island oasis! Built in 2024 with upgrades including; Deck extended, hot tub, EV charger, enclosed outdoor shower, and smart home wiring. This turnkey property is perfect for anyone looking to utilize it as a vacation rental or for a personal home.With a clear view of the Intracoastal, ocean views

    Agent Photo
    Diane Castro-Perez
    Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage-Hampstead
    (910) 370-6008
  • Sunday, Jun 15
    3 - 5pm

    3126 Topsail Ave, Sneads Ferry, NC 28460

    $565,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,158 Sq Ft
    • 3126 Topsail Ave
    • New 8 days ago

    This true hidden gem on North Topsail Beach offers the perfect coastal retreat. Start your mornings with a cup of coffee in your rocking chair on the front porch watching the sunrise. Public beach access #9, is just a short two-block walk to the Atlantic Ocean's sandy shores. After a day at the beach, rinse off in your private, over-sized, enclosed outdoor shower--convenient and perfect for

    Jen Blake NorthGroup Real Estate LLC

  • Saturday, Jun 14
    1 - 3pm

    206 Porto Vista Dr, North Topsail Beach, NC 28460

    $829,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,792 Sq Ft
    • 206 Porto Vista Dr
    • New 13 days ago

    206 Porto Vista Drive offers 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and almost 1800 Sq. Ft. In addition there is 600 Sq. ft. of space with an office, gym and additional storage space. 206 Porto Vista Dr. has a large front deck spacious back deck and a side covered porch with a slight water view. The Kitchen has a large island along with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and ample cabinet space.

    Don Pekofsky SeaShore Realty Group, Inc.

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

North Topsail Beach Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
3,610
Median Age
57
Population under 18
12.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
36.3%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$74,658
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,872

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.2%
College Graduates
49%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.1%
% Population in Labor Force
49.1%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
59''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
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.
North Topsail Beach
Kathleen LeBlanc
Flex Realty