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Wrightsville Beach

Wrightsville Beach

Located in New Hanover County

$1,926,145 Average Value
$1,145 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

Laid-back surf culture and walkability define Wrightsville Beach

The Wilmington barrier island of Wrightsville Beach is known for its village-like feel and walkability to shops, restaurants and the sandy shore. While the island sees its fair share of tourists, it is defined by a laid-back surfing culture and quiet beaches. Local Marcello Caliva, a broker with Intracoastal Realty Corporation, says it is a “Goldilocks” zone. "It's popular and busy, but it's still relatively quiet and a quaint, charming area," he says.

Cottages, condos and luxury homes all find a place here

Wrightsville Beach has a median price of about $1.6 million, those costs tend to vary widely depending on condition and proximity to the water. "There's a lot of new construction on the beach, but at the same time, there are also very quaint cottages just off the ocean and the sound," Caliva says. "Those are just as charming and not too expensive." Smaller bungalows and cottages start around $1.2 million, while the priciest oceanfront homes can reach up to $10 million. Condos can range from about $300,000 to $4.2 million. Lees Cut at Channel Walk features modern townhouses with boat slips and water views for about $1.2 to $2 million.

Students attend top-rated schools with strong athletics

The area falls within the well-regarded New Hanover County Schools system. Wrightsville Beach Elementary feeds into M.C.S. Noble Middle School and John T. Hoggard High School, all earning A-minus grades from Niche. Hoggard has a strong athletics program with about 20 varsity-level sports. The school has won 38 out of the last 40 Wells Fargo Cup competitions, based on performance in state championship events.

Clean beaches, Caribbean-blue water and trails

Wrightsville Beach's surf culture dates back to 1909. The island offers more than 40 public beach access points. Both locals and city representatives work to keep the beaches clean, according to Caliva. "The water is some of the clearest on the East Coast, probably second to Florida," he says. "We're far from the river, so you get very clear, clean, bright blue water that is very Caribbean-esque." Residents and visitors walk The Loop – the town's 2-and-a-half-mile pedestrian route around the town center with water views. The town manages six neighborhood parks and the larger Wrightsville Beach Park, featuring an inclusive playground, sports courts and a stage for annual events.

Boutique markets and beachside restaurants within walking distance

Surf shops, restaurants and boutique grocers are available on the island. "You can walk or ride your bike to all of these retail services, and I think that's one of the biggest things about Wrightsville Beach," Caliva says. Robert's Grocery provides a small selection of produce, prepared foods, meats and pantry staples, and locals supplement their grocery trips at Harris Teeter across the Causeway Drive bridge. Drift Cafe serves lattes and breakfast and lunch options garnished with fresh greens and fruit. Oceanic Restaurant offers outdoor dining on the Crystal Pier and seafood options such as scallop and shrimp linguine.

Paddle surf pros and lighted boats headline annual events

The Carolina Pro-Am hosts some of the top amateurs and professionals in stand-up paddle surfing. Flotilla, the longstanding lighted boat parade and fireworks show, kicks off the holidays at the end of November. The event continues into the weekend with arts and craft vendors, an antique car show and kids' activities at the park. The Sounds of Summer concert series hosts rock, dance, country and island bands at the Wrightsville Beach Park stage.

Drawbridge delays aside, the island is easy to navigate

In 2025, the city wrapped up two improvement projects, adding new bike lanes on Causeway Drive and expanding pedestrian lanes on North Lumina Avenue. The Loop provides walking access to parks, shops, restaurants and beaches. U.S. Route 74 leads through town and connects to U.S. 17 and Interstate 40. Boat traffic at the drawbridge can create longer commutes. The town is about 6 miles from Wilmington and about 10 miles from Wilmington International Airport, offering 29 direct domestic routes.

Flood mitigation and quick recovery times after storms

Hurricanes are an annual possibility here, as with the rest of North Carolina's coastline. The entire town is within a special flood hazard area. Recent building codes help to prevent flooding, and existing structures may need to be retrofitted to reduce or eliminate exposure to water. "We're fortunate that there are some not-too-exciting events where there is a lot of wind, rain, maybe some downed trees and powerlines, and Duke Energy comes out and gets them repaired very quickly," Caliva says. "It's amazing how, within a day or two, everything is operational again after a storm."

Liz Coughlin
Written By
Liz Coughlin

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Brett Blizzard, an experienced agent 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

Wrightsville Beach Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$1,650,000
Median Sale Price
$1,350,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,656,950
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$998,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
34
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
141%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,145

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
2,376
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1982
Months of Supply
2.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,549
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,071
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,073
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
599
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098

Open Houses

  • 101 Lindy Ln, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

    $2,695,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,756 Sq Ft
    • 101 Lindy Ln
    • New 3 days ago

    Situated on a corner lot at the quiet curve of Lindy Ln and Live Oak Dr, this exceptional home offers a rare opportunity to own in one of Wrightsville Beach's most tightly held neighborhoods. South Harbor Island is known for its peaceful streets, walkable lifestyle, and close-knit community--with only a handful of homes hitting the market each year.Step outside and you're a short walk from the

    Marcello Caliva Intracoastal Realty Corp

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  • 330 Causeway Dr Unit C-07, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

    $374,500

    • 330 Causeway Dr
    • Unit C-07
    • New 1 day ago

    Rare opportunity to own a 33 foot boat slip in Seapath Marina in Wrightsville Beach. Slip is located on C Dock. Seapath Marina is a deep water marina located within a no wake zone. Ample parking available; Convenience store, clubhouse, and fuel dock on site. Slip conveys with a certificate of membership.

    Robbie Robinson Intracoastal Realty Corp

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  • 501 N Channel Dr, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

    $1,300,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,350 Sq Ft
    • 501 N Channel Dr
    • New 12 days ago

    Come to the island and wash all your cares away! This charming Wrightsville Beach cottage has many modern updates. Watch the sunrises from your back patio across the tidal marsh. Relax the day away or enjoy all the amenities Wrightsville Beach has to offer! The open living cottage lives large! Newly renovated with original hardwood floors. Spend dreamy evenings in the comfort of your woodburning

    Shelley Buffaloe Carolina's Choice Real Estate

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Wrightsville Beach Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
5,796
Median Age
45
Population Density
47 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
22.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$117,267
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$151,238

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
68.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.1%
% Population in Labor Force
62.5%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®®

59 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

47 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Wrightsville Beach
Brett Blizzard
Destination Realty Corporation, LLC
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