Is Hampstead, NC a good place to live? For many buyers it’s a strong fit: it’s about 17 miles northeast of Wilmington, close to Topsail Island, with golf, parks and newer neighborhoods. Zillow put the typical 28443 home value at about $496,000 in July 2026. The tradeoffs are active US 17 bypass construction through 2030, school boundaries under review and water and sewer capacity that’s still catching up with growth.
I’m Tabi, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. Hampstead comes up constantly with buyers who want a little more room than they’d get in Wilmington while staying close to the water. It’s an unincorporated community in Pender County, not a town, so its taxes, services and law enforcement all run through the county. Here’s what you should know before you buy, with dates and sources for every number.
Hampstead at a glance
- Location: Pender County, along US 17, about 17 miles northeast of Wilmington.
- Typical home value: about $496,000 (Zillow Home Value Index, ZIP 28443, July 2026, roughly flat year over year).
- Median sale price: about $490,000, down 3.7% year over year, with homes selling after about 76 days on market (Redfin, ZIP 28443, three months ending August 2026).
- Property tax (FY2026–27): Pender County 73.75¢ + countywide EMS 9.25¢ + Hampstead fire district 9.5¢, about 92.5¢ per $100 of assessed value. There’s an important revaluation caveat below.
- Growth: Pender County’s population grew about 2.8% from 2024 to 2025, one of the fastest rates in North Carolina (Census estimates via Carolina Demography).
- Law enforcement: Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
Home prices
Hampstead prices generally sit between Wilmington’s and more rural Pender County’s. Zillow’s typical home value for 28443 was about $496,000 in July 2026, essentially unchanged from a year earlier. Redfin’s median sale price for the ZIP was about $490,000 over the three months ending August 2026, down 3.7% from a year earlier, and homes sold after about 76 days on market, compared with 45 days a year earlier. In short, prices have softened slightly while buyers have more time to decide.
Hampstead has a wide range, from established neighborhoods to golf communities to new construction. Compare specific homes and HOAs, not just the ZIP-wide numbers. My Hampstead area page has more on the local housing mix.
Property taxes: read this before you compare rates
Pender County’s FY2026–27 rate is 73.75¢ per $100, the same as the prior year. With the countywide EMS tax (9.25¢) and the Hampstead fire district (9.5¢), the combined rate for most Hampstead homes is about 92.5¢ per $100.
That looks high next to New Hanover County’s 30.6¢, but it isn’t a fair comparison. New Hanover revalued property in 2025, which raised assessed values and lowered its rate. Pender County’s 2026 revaluation showed average values up about 110%. However, the county adopted its FY2026–27 budget using 2025 values under a state law that allowed a one-year delay (Port City Daily, June 19, 2026). The county expects the 2026 values to take effect for the 2027–28 tax year. When they do, the rate would normally be adjusted, but no one can promise what it will be.
What this means for you: don’t compare tax rates across counties. Compare the actual tax bill for the home you’re considering, and ask the Pender County Tax Office how the 2026 revaluation will affect that property.
The Hampstead Bypass: the biggest factor right now
NCDOT’s US 17 Hampstead Bypass (project R-3300) is a 12.6-mile, roughly $490 million project that will move through-traffic off the current US 17 corridor.
- The northern section, from NC 210 to north of Hampstead, was about 65% complete in early 2026 and is expected to finish in 2027.
- The southern section, from NC 140 to NC 210, was about 10% complete in February 2026.
- The full project is expected to be done in 2030 (NCDOT project page, updated July 31, 2026; WECT, February 24, 2026).
For buyers, that means years of construction and shifting traffic patterns, followed by a potentially easier commute once it’s finished. If a home is near the bypass route or an interchange, look at the NCDOT project maps before you make an offer.
Schools: boundaries are under review
Pender County Schools is working through a growth-planning process in fall 2026. It ran a community survey in September, and public forums are scheduled at Topsail High School on September 29 and November 19, 2026 (WECT, September 1, 2026). No decision or effective date had been announced. The county’s budget also lists new J.H. Lea Elementary and Middle schools in Hampstead scheduled to open in fall 2027.
Because assignments may change, confirm the current assignment for any address directly with Pender County Schools, and check back before you close. I don’t rate schools, but the NC School Report Cards site has the state’s official data.
Water, sewer and wells
Public water in the area comes from Pender Water & Sewer (formerly Pender County Utilities). Its surface water plant has used granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration since 2012, and the county reports PFOA and PFOS below federal limits. A new groundwater treatment plant to serve Hampstead is in the planning and permitting stage; the county held a public meeting about it in January 2026 (WECT, January 2, 2026).
Public sewer isn’t available everywhere in the area. A private wastewater plant has been proposed for Hampstead, but that proposal was on hold as of July 2026 (Port City Daily, July 13, 2026). Depending on the property, a home may be on public sewer, a community system or a septic system, and some rural properties use private wells. For any home, find out:
- Whether it’s on public water, a private well or a community system.
- Whether it’s on public sewer or septic, and when the septic system was last inspected.
- If it’s on a well, get a full water test that includes PFAS. It’s not part of a standard well test.
My Pender County water quality guide goes deeper.
Insurance and flood risk
Hampstead is on the mainland but close to the sound, so flood risk varies a lot by street. First Street data shown on Redfin estimates that about 20% of properties in 28443 are likely to be severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. Check any address on North Carolina’s Flood Risk Information System and read my flood zones guide to understand the zones.
For homeowners insurance, North Carolina’s approved rate increases for 2025 and 2026 varied by territory, from about 10% over two years in the western territory to about 34% on the beach. Ask your insurance agent which territory the address falls in, and get a quote before your due diligence period ends.
Healthcare, shopping and getting around
- Novant Health Scotts Hill Medical Center opened on July 2, 2026, just south of Hampstead along the US 17 corridor. It has 66 beds, an emergency department and 8 operating rooms, and it’s the first new standalone hospital in New Hanover County in nearly 60 years (Novant Health).
- Novant Health Pender Medical Center in Burgaw has a 24/7 emergency department.
- Wilmington is roughly 17 miles away. Drive times depend heavily on bypass construction and time of day, so test your commute at rush hour.
Things to do
- Hampstead Kiwanis Park: 53 acres with lighted fields, pickleball, tennis and basketball courts, sand volleyball, a walking trail and two playgrounds (Pender County Parks).
- Golf: Olde Point and Ironclad Golf & Beer Garden (the former Belvedere Country Club course, now owned by Ironclad Brewery) are both in Hampstead.
- Beaches: Topsail Island (Surf City, Topsail Beach and North Topsail Beach) is a short drive up NC 210.
- The North Carolina Spot Festival: Hampstead’s long-running fall festival returns November 7–8, 2026.
- The water: the Intracoastal Waterway runs along Hampstead’s eastern edge, with marinas and water access nearby.
Is Hampstead right for you?
Hampstead may be a good fit if you want more space than you’d typically get closer to Wilmington, easy access to Topsail Island, golf and parks, and you’re comfortable with a few years of road construction. It may be less of a fit if you need public sewer, a short and predictable commute right now, or school assignments that won’t change.
For the complete due diligence checklist, including flood maps, tax records, crime data and school assignments, see my guide on how to research any neighborhood before you buy. My moving to Pender County guide covers the rest of the county.
Call or text Tabi: 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Hampstead, NC a good place to live?
Many buyers find it a strong fit. Hampstead is about 17 miles northeast of Wilmington, close to Topsail Island, with parks, golf and newer neighborhoods. Zillow’s typical 28443 home value was about $496,000 in July 2026. Tradeoffs include US 17 bypass construction through 2030, school boundary planning in 2026 and limited public sewer.
What are property taxes in Hampstead, NC?
For FY2026–27, most Hampstead homes pay Pender County’s 73.75 cents plus 9.25 cents for EMS and 9.5 cents for the Hampstead fire district, about 92.5 cents per $100 of assessed value. The rate is applied to 2025 values; Pender’s 2026 revaluation showed large increases, so compare the actual tax bill and ask the county tax office about future changes.
When will the Hampstead Bypass be finished?
NCDOT expects the full 12.6-mile US 17 Hampstead Bypass to be complete in 2030. The northern section, from NC 210 to north of Hampstead, is expected to finish in 2027.
Where can I find crime data for Hampstead, NC?
Hampstead is unincorporated and served by the Pender County Sheriff’s Office, which publishes a crime map at pendersheriff.com. Review the official data for the specific addresses you’re considering rather than relying on third-party ‘safety scores.’
Tabetha Klein, REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage · 910-983-8963 · www.makingilmhome.com. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. Figures reflect sources available as of September 2026: Zillow Home Value Index (28443, July 2026); Redfin (28443, three months ending August 2026); Pender County FY2026–27 adopted budget; Port City Daily (June 19 and July 13, 2026); NCDOT US 17 Hampstead Bypass project page (updated July 31, 2026); WECT (February 24, September 1 and January 2, 2026); Novant Health (June 2026); Pender County Parks; Carolina Demography (April 7, 2026); First Street data via Redfin. Numbers change often. Verify taxes, utilities, school assignments and insurance for any specific property. This article is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
Sources: Zillow: Hampstead 28443 home values · Redfin: 28443 housing market · Pender County FY2026–27 adopted budget · Port City Daily: Pender budget and revaluation (June 19, 2026) · NCDOT: US 17 Hampstead Bypass · WECT: Pender County Schools growth planning (Sept 1, 2026) · WECT: Hampstead water treatment plant meeting (Jan 2, 2026) · Port City Daily: Hampstead wastewater plant (July 13, 2026) · Novant Health: Scotts Hill Medical Center opens · Pender County: Hampstead Kiwanis Park · Carolina Demography: 2025 county estimates · Pender County Sheriff: Crime Map
