Whiteville offers a country pace away from major cities
Whiteville blends the laid-back vibe of country living with the amenities that come with being the seat of Columbus County. The small city, with fewer than 5,000 residents, appeals to those who want to escape the traffic and hubbub of big-city life without giving up proximity to local shops and restaurants. “There’s enough to do if you want something to do, and if you want to relax, you can just relax,” says Whiteville native Darian Ransom, the owner of First Choice Pro Realty. “We have more space to live and more space to enjoy the outdoors.” Ransom adds that the community is family-oriented and resilient, having bounced back after devastating blows from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence in 2016 and 2018. “I owned a business downtown for 28 years…I lost everything twice,” Ransom says. Addressing the city’s vulnerability to flooding has been top of mind in recent years, with investments underway to improve stormwater drainage, among other things.
From historic homes to neotraditional styles
A city founded in the early 19th century, Whiteville offers an array of single-family homes. Some of the oldest properties date back to the Victorian era and feature ornate architectural elements like spindled porches. Cottages, bungalows, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes rest on sidewalk-lined streets in the residential blocks north of downtown. Subdivisions farther out, such as Timber Cove, feature neotraditional designs. Farmhouses and estate-style homes dot the surrounding countryside. The median price for a single-family home is around $220,000, roughly half the national median. Prices start at about $90,000 and top out at about $680,000.
Above-average public schools with clubs and college-level courses
Whiteville City Schools earns a B overall rating from Niche. The district has four traditional schools and one alternative school, North Whiteville Academy, which Niche does not yet rate. The B-plus-rated Whiteville Primary teaches prekindergarten through second grade, the B-rated Edgewood Elementary has third through fifth grade and Central Middle receives a B-plus. Whiteville High gets a B and partners with Southeastern Community College to offer students the ability to earn college credits. Watching the school’s baseball and football teams play at Legion Memorial Stadium is a favorite activity for families. “We’re well known for our sports community,” Ransom says. Several private schools are nearby, including the A-minus-rated Columbus Christian Academy.
City parks, trails and nature preserves offer outdoor adventure
Whiteville maintains six parks, including the Whiteville Parks & Recreation Complex, home to Whiteville City Park and a recreation center. Here, residents can play several sports, such as baseball, basketball and disc golf, or they can stroll along a walking trail and let their dogs run around a fenced dog park. A playground is nearby at Edgewood Park, which also features a sand volleyball court. Exercise is the focus at Julie M. Strickland Fitness Park, where a fitness court offers equipment for circuit training. There’s also a large playground. Golfers have several courses in the area to choose from, such as the public 9-hole Vineland Golf Course. Ransom says kayaking, fishing and swimming are popular pastimes at Lake Waccamaw State Park. Honey Hill Hunting Preserve is one of several privately owned farms offering hunting excursions. There are also public hunting lands, such as Juniper Creek Game Land. Nearby, hikers can trek along the trails in the Green Swamp Preserve to see Venus flytraps in their natural habitat. Ransom says weekend or day trips to the beach are also popular. Ocean Isle Beach is a little over 40 miles away, and North Myrtle Beach is around 45 miles away.
Shopping, dining and annual events on South Madison Street
Local businesses are reviving downtown Whiteville, where historic brick buildings along South Madison Street house boutiques and local restaurants. American fare is most common, with places such as What-A-Burger and Ward’s Grill drawing customers for their own takes on classic burgers. However, there are also notable spots such as The Chef & The Frog, which offers a fine dining experience blending French and Asian cuisines, and Anthony’s, a rustic tavern serving Italian favorites. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville is a popular attraction with exhibits and a nature trail.
Food Lion and national retailers fill shopping centers along U.S. Route 701. Residents can support area farmers and artisans at the Columbus County Community Farmers Market, held every Saturday morning from May through December at a pavilion along Government Complex Road. Columbus Regional Healthcare System is the hospital in town.
The North Carolina Pecan Music Festival and other community events
From a Halloween Bash to an annual Christmas Parade, downtown Whiteville is often the site of community events. One of the biggest celebrations of the year is the North Carolina Pecan Music Festival in November, which offers much more than just a line-up of bands. Festival events include a pecan cooking competition, vendor alley and a car and truck show.
Highway access and a Greyhound bus stop
Most people drive to get around Whiteville and Columbus County. “People want to get away from [places where] it takes 30 minutes to get three miles,” Ransom says. “In our town, traffic flows easy. We’re a very large county, but you’re able to get from one end to the other fairly fast.” U.S. Route 74 connects commuters to Interstate 95 and the Carolina coast. Wilmington International Airport and Fayetteville Regional Airport are less than 60 miles away. There’s no public bus system in the city, but Greyhound’s Queen City/Coastal Connector route stops at the Columbus County Transit building.
