$328,681Average Value$188Average Price per Sq Ft69Homes For Sale
Princeton offers small-town vibes between Selma and Goldsboro
Princeton is a small Johnston County town less than 50 miles outside Raleigh. It’s known for its tight-knit public schools and mom-and-pop shops where customers are treated like family. Its access to U.S. Highway 70 draws commuters who work in nearby cities but want to come home to the peaceful countryside. Properties range widely, from century-old bungalows near the center of town to newer builds and luxury properties on generous parcels of land. Add in a variety of recreational activities and weekend getaways to the beach, and you can see why Princeton is a growing choice for homebuyers and homebuilders.
Downtown Princeton has small town charm and features local shops and restaurants.
Princeton's NC's Just Gifts Gift Shop is a local favorite for fun finds and ice cream.
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From bungalows downtown to ranch-style homes surrounded by farms
Like many rural communities, Princeton’s housing stock includes many midcentury ranch-style homes and manufactured homes that sit along winding country roads between farms and patches of undeveloped land. But you’ll find early 20th-century farmhouses, bungalows and cottages lining small blocks downtown. If you’re looking for a newer home, recently developed subdivisions, such as Cloverdale Farm and Gander Lake, feature transitional new construction. Meanwhile, custom waterfront luxury homes dot the popular Lakeview Estates community. Lots vary widely in size, ranging from under a quarter of an acre to several acres.
Developments filled with New Traditional homes are common in Princeton.
Princeton offers residents the perks of suburban developments along with rural small town charm.
Most of the homes in Princeton were built after 1990.
Princeton's homes are often surrounded by well-manicured lawns and landscaping.
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Home prices range from entry-level to luxury
The median sale price in Princeton is around $320,000, which is on par with Goldsboro's median but much lower than Smithfield's. Here’s how home prices break down by type:
Most houses fall between the mid-$100,000s and the lower $500,000s.
High-end waterfront properties can reach the mid- to upper $900,000s.
Manufactured homes range from the lower $100,000s to the mid-$300,000s.
Townhouses rarely go on the market. Only one two-bedroom unit was sold in the lower $200,000s in recent years.
The average single family home in Princeton is around 1,800 sq ft.
Large New Traditional homes with attached garages can be found in Pricneton.
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A highly rated elementary school and a combined middle and high school
Johnston County Schools is highly rated and serves over 37,000 students across more than 40 schools. Many students in Princeton are zoned to Princeton Elementary School, which earns high marks, and Princeton Middle/High School, which offers sixth through 12th grade on one campus. “The high school classes have like 100-something students. It’s a very small community,” says Amy Stanley, a Realtor with LPT Realty, who adds that Friday night football is a big deal around here. Families interested in other district schools can request a reassignment, provided their school of choice has space available.
Princeton Elementary School has just over 700 students.
Princeton Middle/High receives an A-minus on Niche for its sports programs.
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Highway 70 links Princeton to nearby cities and job hubs
U.S. Highway 70 passes through Princeton, connecting commuters to larger towns and cities. Popular destinations include:
Smithfield, which is less than 12 miles away (or 14 to 22 minutes)
Goldsboro, which is about 14 miles away (or 16 to 20 minutes)
Clayton, which is nearly 24 miles away (or 24 to 35 minutes)
Raleigh, which is around 42 miles away (or 40 to 55 minutes)
“A lot of military people choose Princeton because they may be assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. It’s an easy commute,” Stanley says.
Locally owned stores and restaurants anchor Princeton’s downtown
Princeton’s humble downtown features locally owned businesses and restaurants that fill historic storefronts along South Center and West Edwards streets. You can pop into True Value Community Hardware to pick up tools and gardening supplies, then stop by Woodard Drug Store, a local favorite since 1943. “Everybody loves the hardware store and the pharmacy. They give back to the community. They know your name when you walk in,” Stanley says. Milltown Java is the spot for coffee and croissants. Across the street, Oli and Eli’s Grill serves American fare for breakfast and lunch. Food Lion, Family Dollar and Dollar General are in town, but for big-box and name-brand shopping, you’ll need to head to Goldsboro, Smithfield or Selma. “Selma just added Eastfield Crossing, which has Target, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and Hobby Lobby,” Stanley says.
Princeton residents can find fresh local produce at WDW Strawberry Farm.
Princeton residents enjoy coffee at Milltown Java in the downtown strip.
Miltown Java is the go to for a hot cup of coffee and a pastry in Princeton.
Downtown Princeton's Woodard Drug store has an old school soda fountain.
Residents of Princeton can head to Woodard Drug Store for basic needs or an ice cream.
Princeton offers an eclectic mix of shops and cuisine.
Community Hardware True Value is located in downtown Princeton.
Most people in the Princeton do their grocery shopping at Food Lion.
Family Dollar and Dollar Tree share a side by side space convenient to Princeton residents.
Dollar General is a popular place to shop for everyday needs in Princeton, NC.
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Town parks, river access and trips to the Crystal Coast
The town offers a handful of places to enjoy the outdoors. At Ray M. Floors Community Park, you can step along a walking track that loops around a playground. Nearby, youth athletes step up to bat at Princeton Little Tarheels League Athletic Field. You can enjoy a hot summer day by the pool at Hatfield’s High Dive, or if fishing is more your speed, there are several public boat ramps along the Neuse River. More adventure awaits about 26 miles away at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, which features campsites and hiking trails. A weekend trip to the Crystal Coast is easy, too, with Morehead City about 110 miles away (roughly a 2-hour drive).
Ray M. Floors Community Park has a playground for the children of Princeton.
Princeton Little Tar League Field has 4 baseball fields.
Princeton Veteran's Memorial serves as a monument to locals that have served in the military.
Princeton locals can fish by the dam at Holts Pond.
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Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Bryan Regan
Video By
Edward Pokoj
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Judith McMillen,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Princeton, NC sell after 87 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Princeton, NC over the last 12 months is $324,699, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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