Market Snapshot
Report generated March 2026
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 68,652 ↑ 1.4% since 2020 |
| Median Household Income | $70,235 6% below national median |
| Median Home Value | $304,200 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% |
| Median Age | 50.1 years |
| Housing Vacancy Rate | 39.6% |
| Total Land Sales (Past 12 Months) | 194 transactions |
| Active Listings | 186 properties |
| Avg Days on Market | 102 days |
Rural Land Sales (1+ Acres) (Sep 2025 – Mar 2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Price/Acre | $37,007 |
| Recent Sales | 51 transactions |
| Avg Days on Market | 97 days |
| Avg Parcel Size | 12.02 acres |
| Active Listings | 53 properties |
Recent Rural Land Sales
| Date | Acres | Price | $/Acre | Address | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026New | 1.25 | $50,000 | $40,000 | 297 Garbacon Drive | Beaufort |
| Mar 2026New | 3.67 | $29,000 | $7,902 | 433 Sandy Point Dr Lot L47 | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 4.33 | $150,000 | $34,642 | 457 Masontown Road | Newport |
| Feb 2026 | 3.05 | $73,000 | $23,934 | 190 Cedar Creek Road | Newport |
| Feb 2026 | 101.55 | $335,000 | $3,299 | 0 Wildwood Rd | Newport |
| Feb 2026 | 1.59 | $350,000 | $220,681 | 102 Winsett Ln | Peletier |
| Feb 2026 | 1.96 | $125,000 | $63,776 | Tbd Farin Ward Road | Stella |
| Jan 2026 | 2.38 | $85,000 | $35,714 | 236 White Oak Bluff Road | Stella |
| Jan 2026 | 3.17 | $2,750,000 | $867,508 | 201 Marine Drive | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 1.51 | $40,000 | $26,490 | 187 Garbacon Drive | Beaufort |
| Date | Acres | Price | $/Acre | Address | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | 1.14 | $875,000 | $770,249 | 1824 Salter Path Rd | Indian Beach |
| Jan 2026 | 69.00 | $305,000 | $4,420 | 120 4 H Road | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 2.02 | $207,500 | $102,723 | 207 Willet Drive | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 1.25 | $275,000 | $220,356 | 3300 Player Ln | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 2.97 | $74,000 | $24,916 | 118 Herring Pond Court | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 3.26 | $85,000 | $26,074 | 134 Herring Pond Court | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 111.00 | $440,000 | $3,964 | 580 Straits Road | Gloucester |
| Jan 2026 | 1.38 | $98,000 | $71,014 | 212 Settlement Lane | Newport |
| Dec 2025 | 2.12 | $200,000 | $94,340 | 211 Willet Drive | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 1.26 | $350,000 | $278,222 | 966 Highway 24 | Newport |
| Dec 2025 | 1.26 | $134,000 | $106,349 | 169 Point Road | Newport |
| Dec 2025 | 37.08 | $1,100,000 | $29,666 | 476 Highway 24 | Morehead City |
| Dec 2025 | 8.20 | $1,100,000 | $134,146 | 476 Highway 24 - B | Morehead City |
| Dec 2025 | 2.34 | $110,000 | $47,009 | 1104 Highway 101 | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 5.51 | $35,000 | $6,352 | 250 Nelson Neck Road | Sea Level |
| Dec 2025 | 1.05 | $160,000 | $152,381 | 129 Starkey Creek Drive | Swansboro |
| Dec 2025 | 2.45 | $85,000 | $34,694 | 101 Hidden Harbor Ln | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 3.48 | $210,000 | $60,345 | 119 Rv Park Drive | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 3.04 | $112,500 | $37,007 | (undisclosed Address) | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 1.14 | $82,000 | $71,930 | 181 Pinetop Road | Newport |
| Nov 2025 | 1.01 | $30,000 | $29,703 | 118 N Harbor Drive | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 1.69 | $54,000 | $31,953 | 2481 Highway 70 | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 17.52 | $350,000 | $19,977 | 110 N Harbor Drive | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 7.72 | $250,000 | $32,383 | 290 & 300 Highway 70 | Smyrna |
| Nov 2025 | 2.48 | $180,000 | $72,581 | 180 Stacy Loop Road | Stacy |
| Nov 2025 | 1.70 | $132,500 | $77,850 | 150 Gibbs Cir | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 2.90 | $67,500 | $23,276 | 908 W Firetower Road | Swansboro |
| Oct 2025 | 1.04 | $140,000 | $134,615 | 252 Jonaquins Drive | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 2.50 | $65,000 | $26,000 | 102 Jade Street | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 9.13 | $700 | $77 | 1311 Ann St | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 1.89 | $475,000 | $251,458 | 900 W B McLean Dr | Cape Carteret |
| Oct 2025 | 2.37 | $57,000 | $24,051 | 151 Old Cartwheel Rd | Marshallberg |
| Oct 2025 | 3.00 | $255,000 | $85,000 | 820 Newport Loop Rd | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 2.08 | $85,000 | $40,865 | 309 Orchard Circle | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 10.00 | $75,000 | $7,500 | 00 Donnie Davis Road | Williston |
| Oct 2025 | 24.25 | $7,025,000 | $289,691 | 3114 Bridges St | Morehead City |
| Sep 2025 | 2.85 | $75,000 | $26,316 | 1 Neptune Lane | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 2.30 | $260,000 | $113,043 | 478 Sandy Point Drive | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 101.50 | $275,000 | $2,709 | 1962 Highway 70 | Stacy |
| Sep 2025 | 1.31 | $36,000 | $27,481 | Lot 5a Mill Creek Road | Newport |
| Sep 2025 | 28.21 | $2,600,000 | $92,166 | 1013 Oak Dr | Morehead City |
Suburban/Urban Land Sales (Under 1 Acre) (Sep 2025 – Mar 2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Lot Price | $143,500 |
| Recent Sales | 143 transactions |
| Avg Days on Market | 103 days |
| Avg Parcel Size | 0.42 acres |
| Active Listings | 133 properties |
Recent Suburban/Urban Land Sales
| Date | Acres | Price | Address | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026New | 0.35 | $95,000 | 166 Deepwater Dr Lot 25 | Stella |
| Mar 2026New | 0.46 | $32,500 | 154 Ware Creek Road | Beaufort |
| Mar 2026New | 0.43 | $100,000 | 120 Lowery Lane | Swansboro |
| Mar 2026New | 0.19 | $100,000 | 618 Cannonsgate Drive | Newport |
| Mar 2026New | 0.94 | $240,000 | 1218 Woods Ct | Morehead City |
| Mar 2026New | 0.94 | $240,000 | 1218 Woods Ct Lot 77 | Morehead City |
| Feb 2026 | 0.63 | $215,000 | 158 Henderson Drive | Newport |
| Feb 2026 | 0.91 | $80,000 | 1532 Harkers Island Road | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 0.96 | $80,000 | 1526 Harkers Island Road | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 0.14 | $90,000 | 229 Taylorwood Dr | Beaufort |
| Date | Acres | Price | Address | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | 0.38 | $124,000 | 302 Lord Granville Drive | Morehead City |
| Feb 2026 | 0.81 | $1,500 | 824 Merrimon Rd | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 0.66 | $400,000 | 229 Gatsey Lane | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 0.37 | $45,000 | 125 White Heron Lane | Swansboro |
| Feb 2026 | 0.35 | $45,000 | 123 White Heron Lane | Swansboro |
| Feb 2026 | 0.35 | $600,000 | 8714 Emerald Plantation Road | Emerald Isle |
| Feb 2026 | 0.38 | $37,500 | 163 Pinecrest Dr | Newport |
| Feb 2026 | 0.22 | $60,000 | 234 Cumberland Street | Newport |
| Feb 2026 | 0.21 | $180,000 | 100 Willow St | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 0.59 | $95,500 | 315 Anson Road | Beaufort |
| Feb 2026 | 0.58 | $120,000 | 3215 Old Gate Road | Morehead City |
| Feb 2026 | 0.37 | $53,000 | 147 Whitehurst Road | Smyrna |
| Feb 2026 | 0.74 | $225,000 | 150 Henderson Dr Lot 7 | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.55 | $100,000 | 1916 Kingfisher Dr | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.25 | $672,000 | 455 Freedom Park Rd | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 0.23 | $772,500 | 1702 Ocean Drive | Emerald Isle |
| Jan 2026 | 0.47 | $120,000 | 210 Shipwreck Ln | Emerald Isle |
| Jan 2026 | 0.21 | $99,000 | 605 Lanyard Dr | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.39 | $150,000 | 127 Sutton Dr | Cape Carteret |
| Jan 2026 | 0.70 | $90,000 | 294 Barrington Ridge | Bogue |
| Jan 2026 | 0.29 | $267,500 | 101 Windjammer Cove | Emerald Isle |
| Jan 2026 | 0.38 | $380,000 | 310 Channel Dr | Emerald Isle |
| Jan 2026 | 0.50 | $650,000 | 243 Rudolph Dr | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 0.18 | $135,000 | 243 Leonda Dr | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 0.46 | $120,000 | 129 Cannon Dr | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.48 | $58,000 | 249 Tom Mann Rd | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.12 | $120,000 | 2403 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.25 | $365,000 | 5204 Emerald Drive | Emerald Isle |
| Jan 2026 | 0.22 | $750,000 | 220 Cumberland Street | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.29 | $95,000 | 512 Goldeneye Ct | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 0.46 | $373,000 | 235 Lake Arthur Dr | Bogue |
| Jan 2026 | 0.22 | $1,950,000 | 1323 Front Street Street | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 0.30 | $345,000 | 7409 Sound Drive | Emerald Isle |
| Jan 2026 | 0.22 | $105,000 | 544 Cannonsgate Drive | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.25 | $150,000 | 1404 Fathom Way | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.14 | $250,000 | 409 Bridges St | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.51 | $35,000 | 106 East Dr | Beaufort |
| Jan 2026 | 0.48 | $104,900 | 615 Cannonsgate Drive | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.34 | $250,000 | 1506 Galley Circle | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.51 | $194,000 | 601 Bay St | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.28 | $194,000 | 605 Bay Street | Morehead City |
| Jan 2026 | 0.30 | $120,000 | 105 Wave Ct | Newport |
| Jan 2026 | 0.20 | $1,311,000 | 4717 S Shore Drive | Morehead City |
| Dec 2025 | 0.42 | $49,900 | 512 Shipmast Ct | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 0.71 | $550,000 | 1324 Island Road | Harkers Island |
| Dec 2025 | 1.00 | $6,000 | 468 Laurel Rd | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 0.59 | $33,500 | 183 Straits Road | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 0.51 | $435,000 | 406 Summer Duck Drive | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 0.53 | $75,000 | 156 Lake Arthur Dr | Bogue |
| Dec 2025 | 0.27 | $300,000 | 125 Willow Road | Pine Knoll Shores |
| Dec 2025 | 0.33 | $270,000 | 405 Emerald Landing Drive | Emerald Isle |
| Dec 2025 | 0.38 | $145,000 | 100 Pintail Lane | Harkers Island |
| Dec 2025 | 0.14 | $120,000 | 2409 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Dec 2025 | 0.40 | $350,000 | 308 Channel Drive | Emerald Isle |
| Dec 2025 | 0.43 | $65,000 | 311 Anson Road | Beaufort |
| Dec 2025 | 0.70 | $140,000 | 141 Starkey Creek Drive | Peletier |
| Dec 2025 | 0.90 | $140,000 | 137 Starkey Creek Drive | Peletier |
| Dec 2025 | 0.48 | $40,000 | 106 Nautilus Ct | Gloucester |
| Nov 2025 | 0.57 | $145,000 | 205 Ida Bell Lane | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.44 | $155,000 | 173 South River Drive | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.33 | $1,350,000 | 123 Roosevelt Dr | Pine Knoll Shores |
| Nov 2025 | 0.59 | $100,000 | 207 Silver Creek Landing Rd | Swansboro |
| Nov 2025 | 0.32 | $258,300 | 545 Avocet Drive | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.31 | $1,151,000 | 510 Sheldrake Court | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.69 | $2,265,000 | 5005 Holly Lane | Morehead City |
| Nov 2025 | 0.62 | $79,000 | 119 Eudora Drive | Newport |
| Nov 2025 | 0.38 | $70,000 | 105 N Guthrie Ln | Newport |
| Nov 2025 | 0.39 | $2,300 | 348 Kings Way | Gloucester |
| Nov 2025 | 0.45 | $70,000 | 676 Broad Creek Loop Road | Newport |
| Nov 2025 | 0.18 | $1,029,000 | 507 Brown Pelican Way | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.15 | $63,500 | 104 Marshland Cir | Newport |
| Nov 2025 | 0.03 | $220,000 | 514 E Fort Macon Rd | Atlantic Beach |
| Nov 2025 | 0.34 | $85,000 | 215 Pettiford Rd | Peletier |
| Nov 2025 | 0.71 | $296,500 | 200 Bayside Drive | Cape Carteret |
| Nov 2025 | 0.82 | $437,500 | 1512 Scotts Landing | Morehead City |
| Nov 2025 | 0.19 | $290,000 | 315 Bogue Inlet Drive | Emerald Isle |
| Nov 2025 | 0.53 | $400,000 | 1780 Salter Path Rd | Indian Beach |
| Nov 2025 | 0.72 | $225,000 | 224 Gatsey Lane | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.62 | $845,000 | 504 Kysers Cove Ln | Beaufort |
| Nov 2025 | 0.23 | $605,000 | 104 Surf View Road | Emerald Isle |
| Oct 2025 | 0.26 | $18,000 | 3011 Market St | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.78 | $180,000 | 2926 Mill Creek Road | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.53 | $18,000 | 113 Sea Gate Boulevard | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.56 | $400,000 | 1810 Salter Path Rd | Indian Beach |
| Oct 2025 | 0.21 | $110,000 | 447 Kensington Place | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.53 | $125,000 | 211 Larkin Street | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.14 | $135,000 | 2405 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.11 | $155,000 | 2404 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.14 | $135,000 | 2410 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.14 | $155,000 | 2406 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.50 | $37,500 | 208 Summerplace Dr | Gloucester |
| Oct 2025 | 1.00 | $125,000 | 115 Mulligan Dr | Swansboro |
| Oct 2025 | 0.15 | $50,000 | 102 N River Club Drive | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 0.66 | $144,000 | 107 Ricky Lane | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.37 | $230,869 | 535 Avocet Drive | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 0.14 | $150,000 | 904 Bay St | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.17 | $115,000 | 837 Cannonsgate Dr | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.26 | $300,000 | 205 Albatross Court | Emerald Isle |
| Oct 2025 | 0.43 | $330,000 | 705 Cannonsgate Drive | Newport |
| Oct 2025 | 0.95 | $200,000 | 103 Capn Pat Lane | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.13 | $114,800 | 552 E Great Egret Way | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 0.34 | $114,800 | 551 E Great Egret Way | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 0.33 | $143,500 | 205 Forest Knoll Drive | Atlantic Beach |
| Oct 2025 | 0.31 | $180,000 | 270 Soundview Drive | Cedar Island |
| Oct 2025 | 0.14 | $135,000 | 2408 Ferabee Street | Morehead City |
| Oct 2025 | 0.44 | $12,500 | 313 Highway 101 | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 0.49 | $51,000 | 205 Magnolia Dr Drive | Stella |
| Oct 2025 | 0.48 | $1,250,000 | 240 Frost Lane | Salter Path |
| Oct 2025 | 0.69 | $361,000 | 223 Gatsey Lane | Beaufort |
| Oct 2025 | 0.33 | $210,000 | 541 Avocet Drive | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.15 | $2,350,000 | 1016 Ocean Ridge Dr | Atlantic Beach |
| Sep 2025 | 0.57 | $70,000 | 140 Little Kinston Rd | Swansboro |
| Sep 2025 | 0.20 | $125,000 | 639 Cannonsgate Dr | Newport |
| Sep 2025 | 0.15 | $230,000 | 313 Oxton Pl | Newport |
| Sep 2025 | 0.21 | $750,000 | 311 Oxton Pl | Newport |
| Sep 2025 | 0.23 | $375,000 | 1608 Ann Street | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.14 | $450,000 | 512 Craven St | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.44 | $500,000 | 305 Lejeune Rd | Cape Carteret |
| Sep 2025 | 0.49 | $92,000 | 107 White Oak Bluff Rd | Stella |
| Sep 2025 | 0.51 | $92,000 | 107 L6 White Oak Bluff Road | Stella |
| Sep 2025 | 0.54 | $95,000 | 113 Staysail Lane | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.47 | $68,000 | 313 Anson Road | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.33 | $225,000 | 721 Cannonsgate Dr | Newport |
| Sep 2025 | 0.50 | $50,000 | 353 Norris Landing Rd | Peletier |
| Sep 2025 | 0.69 | $10,000 | 141 Plantation St | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.29 | $625,000 | 208 Forest Knoll Dr | Atlantic Beach |
| Sep 2025 | 0.48 | $360,000 | 1402 Mainsail Road | Morehead City |
| Sep 2025 | 0.19 | $7,867 | 807 Merrimon Road | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.59 | $649,687 | 527 Swan Court | Beaufort |
| Sep 2025 | 0.67 | $190,000 | 235 Lige Piner Road | Smyrna |
| Sep 2025 | 0.38 | $299,900 | (undisclosed Address) | Morehead City |
| Sep 2025 | 0.16 | $25,000 | 0 Verdun Street | Newport |
| Sep 2025 | 0.48 | $40,000 | 406 Pelican Harbor Road | Beaufort |
County Profile
| Demographic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2023) | 68,652 |
| Population (2020) | 67,686 |
| Population Growth | 1.43% |
| Median Household Income | $70,235 |
| Median Home Value | $304,200 |
| Total Housing Units | 51,615 |
| Vacant Housing Units | 20,417 |
| Housing Vacancy Rate | 39.6% |
| Median Age | 50.1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10,634 (15.5%) |
| Unemployment Rate (BLS) | 3.3% |
Market Overview
Carteret County, North Carolina has a population of 68,652, which has grown 1.43% since 2020. The median household income is $70,235, below the national median of $74,580 by 5.8%. With a median home value of $304,200 and an unemployment rate of 3.3%, the local economy is moderate. The housing vacancy rate of 39.6% suggests soft market conditions. Carteret County is part of North Carolina's land market, attracting both local and out-of-state buyers. Recent rural land sales show a median price of $37,007 per acre, with properties averaging 12.00 acres. There are currently 186 active land listings in the county.
Related Resources
Nearby County Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current population of Carteret County, North Carolina?
As of the 2023 American Community Survey, Carteret County has a population of 68,652. The county has grown 1.43% since the 2020 Census, indicating a growing community.
What is the median household income in Carteret County?
The median household income in Carteret County is $70,235, which is 5.8% below the national median of $74,580.
Is Carteret County growing or shrinking?
Carteret County is growing. The population has increased 1.43% since 2020.
What is the housing market like in Carteret County?
The median home value in Carteret County is $304,200. The housing vacancy rate is 39.6%, which suggests soft market conditions. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, indicating a moderate local economy. Recent rural land sales (1+ acres) show a median price of $37,007 per acre. Suburban/urban lots under 1 acre have a median lot price of $144,000.
Does Reelvest buy land in Carteret County, North Carolina?
Yes! Reelvest Properties buys vacant land throughout North Carolina, including Carteret County. We make cash offers within 24-48 hours, close in 14-30 days, and pay all closing costs. Get your free cash offer today.
Data Sources: Market data reflects recent vacant land transactions in the county. Demographic data from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2023), Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Updated monthly.