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Dry Pond-South Side

Dry Pond-South Side

Neighborhood in Wilmington, North Carolina

New Hanover County 28401

$297,962 Average Value
$280 Average Price per Sq Ft
41 Homes For Sale

Close to two popular downtown districts

In Dry Pond-South Side, neighborhood roots run deep into downtown Wilmington's history. While the name “Dry Pond” isn’t often used to describe this area anymore, Momentum Companies Realtor Celeste Salzberg shares where the name originated. “Back in the early 1900s, it used to be called that because the elevation was lower, and it used to be a pond that would flood,” she says. “Then they added drainage, so it became a dry pond.” Although it was once considered the poorest neighborhood in town, it has now become a point of pride for some, including former resident and country singer Charlie Daniels, who has referred to himself as a “Dry Pond boy.” Nowadays, this eclectic section of downtown is better known for its prime location near the Castle Street and South Front Districts. "It’s definitely a very up-and-coming, hipster area,” Jake Wyer, a Broker with eXp Realty, says of the South Front District. “It all started with an award-winning bar called Satellite. Then they started making lofts out of the urban industrial buildings.”
You can take a horse drawn tour in the Dry Pond-South Side neighborhood.
You can take a horse drawn tour in the Dry Pond-South Side neighborhood.
Dry Pond South is an artistic and eclectic neighborhood.
Dry Pond South is an artistic and eclectic neighborhood.
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Historic homes renovated to honor original time period

Some bungalows and cottages were built from the early 1900s to the 1940s, while others are from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Homebuyers can also find ranch-styles and Charleston-inspired houses. Homes here are often 750 to 1,200 square feet, with a few larger builds reaching closer to 1,800 square feet. Prices generally range between the low $100,000s and the high $500,000s, depending on whether they need updates. “Locals try to renovate the home in the time period it’s from,” Salzberg says. “They keep the mosaic tiles and pink toilets. Here, that's considered a selling point.” Modern gray townhouses have recently popped into the neighborhood. They feature a splash of the color red amongst their gray buildings and sell in the high $300,000s, similar to the price of other new construction in the neighborhood.
Dry Pond South Side has Castle Street and South Front Districts.
Dry Pond South Side has Castle Street and South Front Districts.
Charleston-inspired houses can be found in Dry Pond South Side.
Charleston-inspired houses can be found in Dry Pond South Side.
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A large park with a lot to offer

Greenfield Park is a 190-acre green space that can serve as a quiet spot for birding or kayaking across Greenfield Lake. On the 5-mile hike-and-bike trail, residents might spot egrets, turtles and alligators. Away from the water, the park offers tennis courts, and pickleball courts are expected to be completed by July 2024. The skate park and an outdoor amphitheater are also popular attractions. “In the summer, they do Shakespeare in the Park,” Salzberg says. “It’s free admissions and BYOB.” The playgrounds cater to different ages and abilities. On the neighborhood's northern border, Dram Tree Park is a small green space by the Cape Fear River that offers boating ramps, picnic benches and views of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.
Residents can bike around Greenfield Park, a 190-acre park.
Residents can bike around Greenfield Park, a 190-acre park.
Greenfield Park also has a large skatepark.
Greenfield Park also has a large skatepark.
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Part of New Hanover County Schools

School assignments are highly dependent on zoning. Students will either attend Forest Hills Elementary or magnet school Snipes Academy of Arts & Design for Kindergarten through Grade 5. Both schools are rated C-plus on Niche. Myrtle Grove Middle earns a B-plus, while Williston Middle scores a B-minus. New Hanover High gets a B-plus, and several of its sports teams have won state championships. With an A-rating, Hoggard High offers International Baccalaureate classes, which create an international standard and utilize an integrated curriculum.
Forest Hills Elementary School
Forest Hills Elementary School
The entrance to New Hanover High School in Wilmington.
The entrance to New Hanover High School in Wilmington.
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Wilmington has several popular annual events that are held downtown near Dry Pond South Side.
Wilmington has several popular annual events that are held downtown near Dry Pond South Side.

Events that draw a crowd downtown

Wilmington has several popular annual events that are held downtown, including The North Carolina Azalea Festival and Riverfest.

U.S. Route 17 leading to the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge

Commuters are close to major roads like U.S. Route 421 and U.S. Route 17. Thanks to Dry Pond-South Side's downtown location, residents may choose to walk or bike to some of their destinations. For public transportation, there are several Wave Transit bus stops nearby. Wilmington International Airport is a roughly 5- to 7-mile drive that can take around 10 to 20 minutes.
Highway 117 and 421 are main roads in the Dry Pond South Side neighborhood.
Highway 117 and 421 are main roads in the Dry Pond South Side neighborhood.
Wave buses run through tout The Dry Pond South Side neighborhood.
Wave buses run through tout The Dry Pond South Side neighborhood.
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Local restaurants within walking distance

In the South Front District, Benny’s Big Time Pizzeria was created by Chef Vivian Howard, who hosted the PBS show “A Chef’s Life.” She is typically known for Southern comfort food, which she incorporates into Benny’s Italian menu with dishes like southern fried chicken parmesan. True Blue Butcher and Barrel is a restaurant, whiskey bar and butcher all in one. They serve seafood brunch specialties like blue crab and asparagus omelets. Grocery stores, including Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Trader Joe’s, are just a few miles away. Art galleries and studios contribute to the neighborhood’s eclectic nature, including Art by Nugget. This local artist really is named Nugget, and she keeps a local storefront, but is best known for the murals she's placed throughout downtown. “She’s our local street artist,” Salzberg says. “People will hire her to graffiti the sides of their houses.” The Castle Arts and Antiques District has bookshops, cafes, boutiques and record stores. While Hall’s Drug Store was once the unofficial capital of Dry Pond, it is now home to the highly-rated restaurant, Rx Chicken and Oysters.
True Blue Butcher Barrel has a butcher shop in Dry Pond South Side.
True Blue Butcher Barrel has a butcher shop in Dry Pond South Side.
Hall’s Drug Store was once the unofficial capital of Dry Pond South side.
Hall’s Drug Store was once the unofficial capital of Dry Pond South side.
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Joyelle Ronan
Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Bryan Regan
Photography Contributed By
Bryan Regan
Ruo Zheng
Video By
Ruo Zheng

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cisco Cardoso, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Wilmington International

19 min drive

Bus

10th St Sb & Meares St

Bus

16th St Sb & Wright St

Bus

Front St Sb & Willard St

Bus

5th St Sb & Greenfield St

Bus

16th St Sb & Kidder St

Bus

Greenfield St Wb & 5th St

Bus

Dawson St Eb & 10th St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Dry Pond-South Side US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Dry Pond-South Side Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$295,000
Median Sale Price
$272,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$290,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$385,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
53
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-8%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$280

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,233
Number of Homes for Sale
41
Median Year Built
1938
Months of Supply
9.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,190
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,644
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,117
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
863
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,791

Open Houses

  • Sunday, Jun 22
    1 - 3pm

    1009 Dawson St, Wilmington, NC 28401

    $200,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 880 Sq Ft
    • 1009 Dawson St

    Located just minutes from the vibrant heart of downtown Wilmington, 1009 Dawson Street offers an affordable opportunity with move-in-ready updates and urban convenience. This 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom cottage spans nearly 900 square feet and blends classic charm with functional improvements. Inside, you'll find vinyl plank flooring throughout and a neutral color palette that creates a clean, open

    Agent Photo
    Team Gale
    Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
    (910) 727-4842
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  • Saturday, Jun 21
    2:30 - 4:30pm

    509 Wright St, Wilmington, NC 28401

    $329,500

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,107 Sq Ft
    • 509 Wright St

    Dynamite downtown Wilmington home with 3 bedroom 2 baths. All the charm of an old world cottage but packaged in a newer build. So close to all the fun - historic downtown Wilmington, Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, Castle district and more. Open floor plan with wood burning fireplace in living room.Large kitchen with island. All appliances convey including washer and dryer. Nice covered front

    Diana Jewell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties

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  • Saturday, Jun 21
    11am - 1pm

    610 S 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401

    $670,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,308 Sq Ft
    • 610 S 3rd St

    Charming Historic Home with Room to Grow!Welcome to the Brady-Pollock House, a beautifully preserved 1906 National Folk patent stone home that is turn-key and full of charm. Located in historic downtown Wilmington, this special place with its own historic plaque sits on a nice, deep lot (165 feet!), giving you plenty of space to have rare off-street parking, a garden, a pool or even the

    Keith Beatty Intracoastal Realty Corp

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cisco Cardoso, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
4,434
Median Age
39
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$33,939
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,262

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
82.8%
College Graduates
23.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.5%
% Population in Labor Force
53.6%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
64''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

81 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

63 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

36 / 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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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Dry Pond-South Side
Cisco Cardoso
Cardoso & Company
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