Published February 8, 2023

Hampstead, Wilmington, North Carolina | What We Love About Living in Hampstead

Written by Kirk Pugh

Hampstead, Wilmington, North Carolina

Courtesy of Google maps, retrieved Oct 8 2021

Although locals refer to "Hampstead" as if it is a city, Hampstead is actually an unincorporated community within the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area, in Pender County. Between Wilmington and Jacksonville, Hampstead lies along the Atlantic coast and U.S. Route 17.

Pender County has big plans for Hampstead, with an expanded county water system, and additional sewer systems. NCDOT has proposed a Hampstead bypass that would tie into the new I-140 Wilmington bypass. Highway 17 was recently upgraded to a 4-lane road in an effort to accommodate area growth.

Hampstead is just minutes from the beautiful beaches of Topsail Island, with the resort-style attractions of Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail.

Find Your Next Home in Hampstead, North Carolina

If you are searching for homes for sale in Hampstead NC pulls up 478 listings. At the top of the price range is buildable land, with 75 acres adjacent to to Castle Bay Golf Course listed at $4.3 million, and plenty of other options for developers or buyers interested in buying a lot to build their dream home.

Along the oceanfront, luxury properties are listed up to $3 million, on streets including Kings Landing, Moores Landing, Camden Way Cove, and Pelican Walk. Inland, Hampstead offers home buyers a wide range of new construction homes in the $400-600 range, and homes in other Hampstead neighborhoods at other price points. A real estate agent with knowledge of the area, especially the new and planned developments.

Boaters especially will find attractive property in Hampstead, with Intracoastal Waterway access and a plethora of community docks and private/public marinas.

Lots of my clients are interested in Hampstead because of the highly rated schools. With four elementary schools, two middle schools, and Topsail High School, families looking in the area have great options - and can read reviews for Hampstead schools at GreatSchools.com.

~ Charles Swain, Broker/Realtor®, Hampstead resident & local expert

Hampstead North Carolina Weather

Hampstead residents enjoy weather that is pretty typical of southeastern coastal North Carolina. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are short, cold, and windy, with plenty of pleasant 50-60 degree days scattered throughout December and February. The temperature ranges from 38 degrees to 88 degrees, and rarely falls low enough for snowfall. In the summer, a very hot day hovers at the top of the 90s, but ocean breezes make it tolerable.

Hampstead Close-up: Recreation & Attractions

Hampstead was named for Hampstead England. The area is rich with local history; the Belvidere Plantation House is on the National Register of Historic Places. Poplar Grove Plantation was built in 1850 and is also on the National Register. Hampstead started as a small fishing village, has a claim to fame because George Washington stayed at a local public house on his 1791 tour of the South, and was famous for pirate incursions at Topsail Sound. George Washington's stay is commemorated with an Oak Tree marker in the town.

In Hampstead, all the Yankees who have relocated here - and I say that very lovingly - shop at the Italian deli, LoSchiavo's Italian Market, on Highway 17. LoSchiavo's is known for their signature Heros; try the meatball parmesan or eggplant permesan. Locals also love the pastries and bread at Burney's Sweets & More, which is a franchise that boasts "Carolina's best croissants," and we are lucky to have one in Hampstead.

Castle Bay Golf Course is a Scottish links-style 18-hole championship course, located just off US 17, and Hampstead residents take advantage of this great playing course without having to drive south to Brunswick County or the golf-course rich Myrtle Beach area. Castle Bay was designed by Randy Blanton and opened in 1999.

A cool spot in Hampstead for hanging out or stocking up is Leaf & Barrel Provision Co. It used to be a convenience mart, and was transformed into a friendly craft beer and fine wine bottle shop, with a collection of chairs and sofas for relaxing while you sip. It's dog-friendly, family-friendly, and a great place to meet your fellow Hampstead residents.

~ Becky Brown, Broker/Realtor®, Hampstead resident & local expert

Hampstead is spread along U.S. 17, so there isn't a "walkable" downtown, but the stores, restaurants, and recreation that the community offers make it a great place for everyone, from families with small children, to singles and professionals who want easy access to downtown Wilmington or the military bases in Jacksonville.

As a gardener, an afternoon at Pender Pines Garden Center cannot be missed while I am in North Hampstead. They have 8 acres of anything needed to make your yard look fabulous plus a mixed in bunch of rescued birds, an alpaca, goats, chickens and cats on site to put a smile on your face.

~ Nancy Baldridge, KBT Listing Coordinator, Broker/Realtor® & local expert