The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 27978 sells for about $615,950, or $372 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 84 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,200 a month.
ZIP 27978 — Stumpy Point
The Frisco housing market remains stable, characterized by high-value coastal properties and a strong reliance on the vacation rental market. Inventory is limited, and prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, driven by demand for oceanfront and soundfront retreats.
This area is best suited for vacation-home investors, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize proximity to the ocean and recreational amenities over proximity to urban employment centers.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 84 days on market with 8.4 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.4% · poverty 8.0% — 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 7.7%/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 8.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 27978, 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 this coastal area are generally low and primarily consist of property-related incidents, consistent with rural Dare County trends.
Schools serving this area are part of the Dare County Schools system, which generally maintains a positive reputation for student performance and community engagement.
The area faces significant risks from hurricanes, storm surges, and coastal flooding, necessitating high insurance premiums and strict adherence to building codes.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by seasonal tourism and the service industry, with limited large-scale industrial or corporate development.
Property taxes are levied by Dare County and the state of North Carolina; there are no municipal taxes as Frisco is an unincorporated community.
Commuting is primarily via NC Highway 12, which serves as the sole artery for the Outer Banks, making travel times highly dependent on seasonal traffic and weather conditions.
The area is a premier destination for windsurfing, fishing, and beach access, featuring proximity to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and local marinas.
The rental market is heavily dominated by short-term vacation rentals, creating high seasonal vacancy pressure and limited long-term housing availability for local workers.
The local economy is almost entirely dependent on the tourism and hospitality sectors, with small-scale retail and fishing industries providing secondary support.
Transportation is limited to NC Highway 12; there is no public transit, and the area is highly isolated from mainland employment hubs.
Development is strictly constrained by environmental regulations and the limited availability of buildable land on the barrier island.
Dare County performs property assessments on a periodic cycle to reflect market value changes in the coastal real estate market.
Parcels are subject to Dare County property taxes and various utility service districts for water and waste management.
Property insurance is a critical factor due to high wind and flood risk, with many properties requiring specialized policies through the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
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 and recreational area.
Cultural landmark focusing on local history.
Popular site for camping and outdoor activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.