The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 28421 sells for about $471,799, or $218 per square foot.
Prices are up +1.4% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 126 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $672 a month.
ZIP 28421 — Atkinson
The housing market in 28421 remains stable, characterized by low inventory and steady demand for rural residential properties. While price growth has moderated compared to previous years, the market continues to benefit from its proximity to the Wilmington metro area. Buyers are finding value in larger lot sizes, though limited supply keeps the market competitive.
This ZIP is best suited for buyers seeking rural living, larger lot sizes, and a quieter pace of life while maintaining access to the Wilmington metro area for employment and services.
Median prices moved up 1.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 126 days on market with 3.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
7% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.0% · poverty 13.9% — 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 12.0%/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 10.5%/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 28421, Pender 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.
Not determinable at the ZIP level; regional crime trends in the Wilmington metro area are monitored by local law enforcement agencies.
Schools serving the Atkinson area are part of the Pender County Schools district, which provides standard public education services for the rural community.
The area is subject to regional hurricane and tropical storm risks common to the North Carolina coastal plain, necessitating standard flood and wind insurance coverage.
Growth is characterized by rural residential development and small-scale commercial activity, with proximity to the broader Wilmington economic corridor providing employment access.
Property taxes are assessed by Pender County based on the county-wide tax rate applied to the appraised value of real property, with no additional municipal taxes for unincorporated Atkinson.
Commuting from Atkinson to the Wilmington employment core typically involves a drive of approximately 30 to 45 minutes via major highway corridors like US-421.
Recreation is primarily rural, featuring access to local parks, nearby river access for boating and fishing, and open space typical of the Pender County landscape.
The rental market in this rural ZIP is limited, with low inventory and demand driven by local workforce needs rather than high-density urban pressures.
The local economy is largely driven by agriculture, small business, and service-sector employment, with many residents commuting to the Wilmington metro area for larger-scale industrial and corporate jobs.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicle use, with US-421 serving as the primary artery connecting the area to Wilmington and surrounding regional hubs.
Development is primarily focused on low-density residential expansion and small-scale commercial improvements within the existing town footprint.
Pender County utilizes a county-wide appraisal system to determine property values for tax purposes, with periodic revaluations conducted to reflect market changes.
Parcels in this ZIP are served by Pender County Schools and local fire/emergency service districts, with no major MUD or PID structures reported.
Property insurance premiums in this coastal-adjacent region are influenced by wind and flood hazard exposure, requiring careful assessment for homeowners.
North Carolina is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for a streamlined process under the power of sale clause in deeds of trust.
North Carolina requires sellers to provide a Residential Property and Owners' Association Disclosure Statement to buyers, covering the condition of the property.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov using ZCTA 28421 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.
- Goldston's Beach4.218.9 mi
- Moores Creek National Battlefield4.86.3 mi
- Moores Creek National Battlefield4.86.3 mi
- Wilmington International Airport4.323.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A significant historical site located nearby, offering walking trails and educational opportunities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.