Willard
Many kinds of homes and acreages in the countryside
Many kinds of single-family homes line Willard’s winding country roads, including simple prewar National homes, midcentury ranch-style homes, manufactured homes and large New Traditional construction custom-built over the last few decades. While buyers consider architectural styles, they’re also interested in what the surrounding land can do for them. Many lots already have horse stables, chicken coops or farmable acres, or at least promise the space for buyers to build their own outbuildings. Properties are smaller in historic villages like Watha and the occasional subdivision. Homes on small acreages or suburban-sized lots sell for around $130,000 to $360,000. Prices for larger, move-in ready properties can range from around $300,000 to $900,000, depending on whether the home is an expansive custom estate and whether the lot is closer to 5 acres or 40 acres. Willard has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.Rural recreation on public and private land
Willard’s many large, forested acreages and meandering creeks mean that many locals are hunting, fishing and taking ATVs around their own properties. Hunters can also drive 20 minutes to explore the forests and swamps in the sprawling Angola Bay Game Lands or go a little farther to Hampstead’s enormous Holly Shelter Game Land. Some horse owners gallop around their paddocks, while others train, board and take lessons at private businesses like Rose Gold Equestrian. The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is a lush, award-winning botanical garden accessible during regular business hours or in the evenings during special events like the Southern Lights holiday lights walk-through. Groups use the outdoor playground and athletic facilities at the Willard Outreach Community Center. The Atlantic Ocean is about an hour from home at Carolina Beach.Shopping and dining in Willard, Wallace and Burgaw
Mom and pop businesses line country roads around Willard. Sweet Bee’s Country Grill is set along U.S. Route 117, a cozy spot for a big, homestyle breakfast. On state Route 11, convenience stores like Penderlea Tobacco and Mini Market and the Penderlea Store offer a place to grab groceries or a hamburger. Residents will drive about 10 miles to Wallace or the Pender County seat of Burgaw for more commercial life. Between the two towns, there are dozens of locally owned restaurants and big box chains like Tractor Supply, Piggly Wiggly, Walmart and Food Lion.Attending Pender and Sampson County Schools
A few Pender County Schools serve the community, but most of Willard’s students will attend Penderlea School for kindergarten through eighth grade. Penderlea earns a B-minus from Niche and operates on a year-round academic calendar. The school was originally built to serve the Penderlea farm city, a development designed to offer economic and social relief following the Great Depression. Pender High School earns a C. A small northwestern section of Willard attends Sampson County Schools, which earns a B-plus overall.Getting around and out of Pender County on I-40
Wilmington is nearly 40 miles down Interstate 40, and Raleigh is about 100 miles in the opposite direction. Novant Health Pender Medical Center is around 10 miles away in Burgaw. Wilmington International Airport is roughly 35 miles from home. Willard is not served by fixed-route public transportation, so residents need a car to get around.Events at the Willard Outreach Community Center
Before desegregation, Willard Elementary School was created to better public education for the Black community in rural Willard. The school has since been redeveloped into the Willard Outreach Community Center and is a modern hub for Pender County service organizations and local community events. Many Willard Elementary alumni and other county organizers host recurring food giveaways and resource fairs in the center. The Fourth of July Fundraiser is a larger annual tradition, bringing locals together for a day of family-friendly bounce castles, cookout food, car show fun and live music performances. Neighbors also get together at small houses of worship like Cora’s Grove Church for regular services and special programs like vacation bible school.Weighing scattered flood risk and agricultural activities
While waterways like Sills Creek introduce scattered flood risk around Willard, the community is largely outside of the Cape Fear River’s floodplain. Buyers may look at maps to check on their need for flood insurance, but many others will be checking out what sounds and smells they can expect from the farm next door. “What you hear out here is, ‘I’m fine to live near a chicken house, but not a hog house,’” Warwick says.
Written By
Julia Szymanski
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Team Gale
Team Gale
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(910) 765-8761
144 Total Sales
2 in Willard
$280K - $290K Price Range
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Ed Coulbourn
Ed Coulbourn
eXp Realty
(910) 807-4736
74 Total Sales
3 in Willard
$40K - $265K Price Range
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Rob Warwick
Rob Warwick
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
(910) 807-7356
387 Total Sales
1 in Willard
$199,900 Price
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Daniel Jeeves
DJ
Daniel Jeeves
Responds QuicklyBlueCoast Realty Corporation
(844) 541-7734
36 Total Sales
3 in Willard
$84K - $255K Price Range
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Oscar Garcia
Oscar Garcia
Responds QuicklyBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties
(910) 807-8270
390 Total Sales
7 in Willard
$40K - $123K Price Range
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Thomas Bohlmann
Thomas Bohlmann
Responds QuicklyBohlmann Realty Group
(866) 706-3602
57 Total Sales
1 in Willard
$112,201 Price
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
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Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Willard | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Willard Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willard, Watha sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Willard, Watha over the last 12 months is $210,000, down 18% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$265,062
Median Sale Price
$210,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$265,062
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
29
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-18%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$206
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,169
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
1977
Months of Supply
4.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,661
Below the national average
1,931
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
5,706
Median Age
42
Population under 18
23.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$52,767
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$68,666
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.6%
College Graduates
13.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
29°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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