The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 27943 sells for about $399,000, or $419 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,850 a month.
ZIP 27943 — Hatteras
The Hatteras housing market remains stable, characterized by low inventory and high price points driven by its status as a coastal vacation destination. Sales volume is modest, and the market is heavily influenced by seasonal demand and the unique geographic constraints of the Outer Banks.
This ZIP is best suited for vacation-home buyers, retirees, and those in the tourism or fishing industries who prioritize coastal lifestyle over proximity to urban employment centers.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 8.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.0% · poverty 4.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 27943, Dare County NC
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the Hatteras area are generally low, consistent with the rural, seasonal nature of the Outer Banks, though property crime can fluctuate with tourist influxes.
Schools serving the area are part of the Dare County Schools system, which generally maintains solid performance ratings within the state framework.
The area faces significant exposure to coastal hazards, including hurricanes, storm surges, and chronic erosion, leading to high property insurance premiums and strict building requirements.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by seasonal tourism and the fishing industry, with limited large-scale commercial development due to geographic constraints.
Property taxes are levied by Dare County and the state of North Carolina; there are no municipal income taxes, and property assessments are conducted periodically by the county.
Commuting is primarily via NC Highway 12, which serves as the sole artery for the island; travel times are highly dependent on seasonal traffic and weather conditions.
The area is a premier destination for water sports, including world-class surfing, kiteboarding, and fishing, with extensive access to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
The rental market is heavily skewed toward short-term vacation rentals, creating significant pressure on long-term housing availability for local workers.
The economy is dominated by the tourism and hospitality sector, supported by commercial fishing and local service industries.
Transportation is limited to NC Highway 12 and local ferry services; there is no public transit infrastructure.
Development is constrained by environmental regulations and the limited land mass of the barrier island.
Parcels are subject to Dare County property taxes and specific coastal management district regulations.
Property insurance is highly specialized due to flood and wind risk, with many properties requiring coverage through the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 27943 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Extensive protected coastline offering beaches, dunes, and wildlife viewing.
Major hub for offshore charter fishing and boating activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.