$262,617Average Value$204Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Willard’s laidback Pender County lifestyle and rural community centers
Willard is a patchwork of farmland, forests, country roads and crossroad villages in rural Pender County. Life moves slower this far from cities like Wilmington and Raleigh. While many new and generational residents come to Willard seeking privacy, they end up meeting one another at historic community centers and in flourishing recreation areas hidden down back roads. Neighboring towns like Burgaw and Wallace offer a taste of urban life that’s available much farther down Interstate 40. Still, Willard’s managed to retain its agricultural roots outside of the orbit of suburban sprawl. “Any closer to the coast, and there’s more production, more quarter acre lots. Out in Willard, it’s easy to have 2 acres of land and a nice brick home,” says Rob Warwick, a broker at Coldwell Banker Sea Coast with 12 years of experience specializing in New Hanover and its surrounding counties. “It’s somewhat remote, but that’s what people like. There are production farms out there, you can hobby farm. And you’re certainly never going to find 20 acres of land in Wilmington ever again.”
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.
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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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Willard
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Willard Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Willard, Watha sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Willard, Watha over the last 12 months is $285,000, up 27% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This 3bd 2bth home, constructed in 2023, nestled on 3 acres of serenity near the coast includes a functioning in-ground pool & beautiful landscaping including palm trees!
Sean YarboroughWeichert, Realtors Associated Group
This land listing features a 1940s house on the lot, which holds no value. Additional acreage has been included to be a totsal of 2.09 +- Wilmington, NC, is just a 30-minute drive south on 421, and downtown Wallace is only 12 minutes away.
Spacious 3 bedroom, 3 bath home situated on 1.05 acres in a quiet, private setting just minutes from I-40. This home offers ample space for a growing family and includes two additional rooms with alcoves, ideal for a home office, craft room, or flex space, providing endless possibilities. Generously sized throughout and priced to sell, the motivated seller makes this an excellent opportunity.
Julio FuentesBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties
This charming 3 bedroom 1 bath brick ranch was built in 1958. and sits on acre of land minutes from the quaint town of Wallace where you can get to enjoy a slower pace of life while getting the feel of times past. This move in ready home offers practically maintenance free living with updated bathroom, new metal roof, new heating and cooling, lovely wood countertops, new LVP flooring, separate
REDUCED!!!, INVESTORS and OUTDOORSMAN this is a great opportunity to own a very private lot on the Northeast Cape Fear River front. Ideal for fishing, canoeing,kayaking,camping, and receational vehicles. Enjoy this quiet natural setting.
Welcome to your brand-new home in Welsh Landing! This beautifully constructed manufactured home offers 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and 2 living rooms, providing ample space for comfort and versatility. The thoughtful split floor plan places the primary suite on one side of the home, ensuring privacy, while two additional bedrooms are conveniently located on the opposite side. The heart
Hilary ThompsonBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties
Discover the perfect blend of investment and recreation with this exceptional 94-acre property less than an hour from Wilmington. With access to NC Highway 421 plus well-established shared historic access, this property features strong investment potential and excellent recreational opportunities. Highway access and proximity to Wilmington ensures a competitive market for both timber resources
This recently updated 3 BD/2 BA home features beautiful LVP flooring and fresh paint throughout. The living room includes a picture window to maximize the natural light and opens to the kitchen and dining area. A laundry room is ready for your own washer and dryer and has direct access to the carport. The primary bedroom has a private bath with custom step-in tile shower. Two guest bedrooms and a
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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.
