$296,483Average Value$283Average Price per Sq Ft43Homes 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.
Dry Pond South is an artistic and eclectic 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.
Hall’s Drug Store was once the unofficial capital of Dry Pond South side.
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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.
Charleston-inspired houses can be found in Dry Pond South Side.
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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
The entrance to New Hanover High School in Wilmington.
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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.
Greenfield Park also has a large skatepark.
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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.
Wave buses run through tout The Dry Pond South Side neighborhood.
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
Ed Wagenseller,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Greenfield Park
Wilmington Parks & Recreation
Optimist Park
Greenfield Park
The Belville Riverwalk Park
Brunswick Nature Park
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
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dry Pond-South Side, Wilmington sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The average sale price for homes in Dry Pond-South Side, Wilmington over the last 12 months is $292,468, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step into the perfect blend of historic charm and modern convenience at 608 S 14th St, Wilmington, NC. Built in 1915 and extensively renovated in 2024, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers 1,084 sq ft of meticulously updated living space. No detail was overlooked during the transformation, which was taken to the studs and made new again! Inside, you'll find a bright and inviting layout,
A must-see charming cottage featuring three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths! Nestled between 3rd St and Front St, this home is ideally located on a quiet street, just minutes from downtown and a short stroll to the vibrant South Front District. Built in 2017, it offers an open and functional layout with the primary bedroom conveniently situated on the main level, along with an additional
Presented for sale is the Guthrie Home, circa 1894. This 3 bedroom property sits in the Historical District of downtown Wilmington, with a rare, spacious private driveway for on-site parking. The location is pristine as you are one block from the thriving Castle Street shops and restaurants, 3-4 blocks from the boardwalk on the Downtown Wilmington Riverfront, and only 2 blocks from the closest
This home in historic downtown has recent upgrades and is ready for move-in. Just under 900 sqft, cottage offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath. Semi-open common area includes combination living & dining space adjacent to kitchen. Enclosed laundry completes floorplan. Vinyl flooring throughout. Exterior features include covered porch entry and partially fenced backyard (much potential with your
South Front apartments, blends the great bones of historic buildings with modern comforts and contemporary sensibility. Exposed brick and polished concrete floors and counters highlight custom artisan cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Luxuries, including garden tubs, tiled showers, and private patios, offer the perfect indulgences and transform South Front from a mere apartment to your
Downtown living at it's finest! This upstairs duplex unit located in Wilmington's historic district is just blocks away from The Riverwalk, restaurants, and Castle Street Arts District. One block north west, Dram Tree Park, offers water access to launch your kayak, paddle board or boat and one block south you can enjoy all the events hosted by Waterline Brewing Co.This studio loft is fully
Welcome Home to The Pearl & The Jewel!Located at the edge of downtown Wilmington, complete with modern amenities and refined finishes. Our luxury apartment homes are right around the corner from the trendy Castle Street District featuring great walkability and fun community. Close to shopping, award-winning restaurants and the and nightlife that only Wilmington can offer. Close to the
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ed Wagenseller,
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.
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.
