$393,701Average Value$199Average Price per Sq Ft88Homes For Sale
Small town charm with contemporary homes
With a charming downtown fit for a Hallmark movie and regular events to bring residents together, Wendell is a small town that’s growing into a bustling community. Located about twenty miles east of Raleigh, North Carolina, Wendell is known for its pastoral environment and acres of green space while still being within commuting distance of urban centers.
“For a long time, it’s been a relatively small community,” says Roger Peterson, Executive Director of the Wendell Chamber of Commerce. In 2010, according to data from the US Census Bureau, the town had a population just shy of 6,000 people. By 2022, that number had more than doubled, to 12,440. “The trick is for us to keep that small town charm and appeal even as we grow. It’s not easy, because we’re spread out in a lot of different areas, but downtown there’s retail that has been there for literally 100 years.”
Corner lots allow for extended landscaping on homes in Wendell.
“There’s stuff going on all the time.”
Peterson says that one of the Chamber’s initiatives is to bring the new residents and legacy residents together as a part of the community spirit. He recalls one Friday night when the community theater, Big Charm Players, put on a live performance at the same time that one of the local churches had a “Dancing with the Stars” inspired fundraiser for orphans in Belarus. The theater performance sold out, while the fundraiser had more than 450 people attend. “That feeling that you’re part of the town, that’s important,” Peterson said.
On the events calendar, visitors can take in the wide array of events going on across the town on any given night, including live music, horseback riding lessons, artisan markets, holiday celebrations and more. Yearly events like the Winter Wonderland, Harvest Festival and the International Food and Music Festival showcase local merchants and bring residents together.
Kat Taylor shares the mic with her grandad at Wendell's Whistlestop Bottleshop.
The beers and the bees
Downtown Wendell is lined with locally-owned businesses that give the town its distinct character. Bearded Bee Brewing Company features a rotating tap of beers in a space that used to be used as an old livery stable, and still features the original wooden beams, signage and brickwork. The brewery utilizes some of its profits to support local beekeepers. Farmers & Merchants restaurant, which gets its name from the building’s history as the town bank, serves cheesesteaks and features live music on the weekends.
Downtown Wendell also features boutique stores like Electric Boots Vintage and the Arrow Tree Boutique. For groceries and household staples, residents can head to Wendell Boulevard for the Food Lion and Interfood Plaza supermarkets.
Enjoy one of a wide selection of locally brewed craft beer at the Bearded Bee Brewing Company.
Homes under $400,000
One of the advantages of Wendell is that the home prices are lower than in areas closer to Raleigh. Single-level brick homes built in the 1960s can still be purchased for around $250,000, while bungalows and Colonials from the 1980s can still be found for $315,000 to $360,000. However, for home buyers looking for modern amenities, new homes built since 2020 are still available for around $400,000. The urban residential streets near downtown Wendell feature mature trees, small lots, and wide front porches while the newer developments like Wendell Falls are characterized by wide streets, sidewalks, and picturesque landscaping.
New homes in Wendell come in a variety of styles and sizes.
Highly ranked Wake County schools
Students in Wendell may attend Wendell Elementary School, which has a B rating from Niche and offers student clubs ranging from Amazing Artists to Dance and Yoga. Wendell Middle School is rated No. 373 out of 851 public middle schools in North Carolina and has a B grade. East Wake High School, which has a B-minus rating, offers an array of student-led clubs and organizations for older students in the community to participate in. All these schools are part of the Wake County Public Schools district.
Wendell Middle School serves grades 6-9.
Wendell Town Park is for the dogs
Wendell Town Park is a popular outdoor spot for residents, with extensive walking trails, athletic fields and a dog park. To the southwest, the members-only Wendell Country Club has 18-hole golf course and swimming pool. For more expansive outdoor adventures, nature preserves like Sandy Pines Preserve offer miles of hiking trails, while Lu-Tom Acres Lake in the heart of the town is a quiet fishing and boating spot.
Wendell Town Park features an off leash dog park for Brentwood residents' furry friends.
Midway between Raleigh and Rocky Mount
“You can jump onto the highway and be in downtown Raleigh in 20 min, 30 in rush hour,” Peterson says. Wendell is also convenient to Rocky Mount, making it an ideal midpoint for families who work in both cities. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is about 34 miles to the west via I-540, and the WakeMed Raleigh campus is 15 minutes away.
Just 20 minutes from Downtown Raleigh, Wendell is full of small town charm.
Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Photography Contributed By
Bryan Regan
Video By
EB Fox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Anthony Fink,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in Wendell, NC sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Wendell, NC over the last 12 months is $407,175, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 289 Douglas Falls Drive—a charming 2-story Garman-built Rock B home on a corner lot in the heart of Wendell Falls, one of Eastern Wake County's most exciting and walkable master-planned communities!This 2 bed, 2.5 bath detached home is filled with thoughtful upgrades and warm natural light, thanks to added windows in the family room that brighten the entire main living space.
Welcome Home to this beautifully maintained single-story ranch-style home, ideally situated in the vibrant, master-planned Wendell Falls community—renowned for its top-tier amenities, scenic charm, and neighborly vibe. Built just 3 years ago, this move-in ready gem offers the perfect blend of modern design, comfort, and everyday convenience. Interior Highlights: Open-concept split ranch
Welcome to this exceptional better than new townhome nestled in the vibrant, walkable neighborhood of Wendell falls! This home is designed with luxurious details that elevate everyday living. Boasting the convenience of a 2-car garage, and a first-floor bedroom, it also has an open living space on the second or main floor, and a private primary bedroom retreat on the 3rd floor along with 2
Welcome to 289 Douglas Falls Drive—a charming 2-story Garman-built Rock B home on a corner lot in the heart of Wendell Falls, one of Eastern Wake County's most exciting and walkable master-planned communities!This 2 bed, 2.5 bath detached home is filled with thoughtful upgrades and warm natural light, thanks to added windows in the family room that brighten the entire main living space.
Welcome Home to this beautifully maintained single-story ranch-style home, ideally situated in the vibrant, master-planned Wendell Falls community—renowned for its top-tier amenities, scenic charm, and neighborly vibe. Built just 3 years ago, this move-in ready gem offers the perfect blend of modern design, comfort, and everyday convenience. Interior Highlights: Open-concept split ranch
Welcome to this exceptional better than new townhome nestled in the vibrant, walkable neighborhood of Wendell falls! This home is designed with luxurious details that elevate everyday living. Boasting the convenience of a 2-car garage, and a first-floor bedroom, it also has an open living space on the second or main floor, and a private primary bedroom retreat on the 3rd floor along with 2
Welcome Home to this beautiful one story ranch. A covered porch leads into a grand entry that opens to your gorgeous kitchen, family room & dining area. The kitchen is wonderful for entertaining & plenty of room for seating at the island. The split floor plan has a large primary suite & designer bath tucked in the back of the home & two bedrooms in front, or perfect for an office or flex space. A
Live carefree every day at Gladwen at Wendell Falls where coming home feels like you’re on vacation. With lavish interior finishes and resort quality amenities all tucked away in historic Wendell, NC, Gladwen at Wendell Falls makes it possible to live beyond your expectations. With so much to do in the perfect location, a vibrant new lifestyle awaits.
Welcome to the Great Home in Wendell, a charming residence nestled in the heart of Wendell, NC. This delightful home boasts three spacious bedrooms and 2.5 well-appointed bathrooms, offering ample space for comfortable living. The high-end appliance package enhances the functionality of the home, ensuring a seamless culinary experience. The home comes with Spectrum Ultra Internet and Spectrum TV
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