Thinking about moving to Hampstead, North Carolina? As one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, Hampstead and the greater Topsail area continues to earn plenty of attention… and with good reason.
With an excellent school system and close proximity to Topsail Island and the island’s 26-miles of publicly accessible beaches – Hampstead has plenty to offer growing families looking for a new place to call home. Conveniently located within a half an hour’s drive of both Wilmington and Jacksonville, Hampstead is a suitable choice to call home for those interested in a light commute for Wilmington’s growing businesses and military personnel based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River and Camp LeJeune.
Hampstead sprawls an area to the East and West of US Route 17, and that area continues to grow both in the livable areas as well as the population with dozens of new neighborhoods having been built throughout the past 10 years.
Things to Know About Hampstead, North Carolina
While you continue to think about calling Hampstead your new home, here are some notes that our editors recommend considering:
- Hampstead is not an incorporated area, meaning that is not a city or town. As a recognized geographical area within Pender County’s coastal region, many public services you would find in a city or town are managed by Pender Country resources. This includes the Police Department, Fire Department, Board of Education, and in most cases, water, trash, and recycling.
- Hampstead has grown considerably in recent years. Over the last 10 years alone, US Census data indicates that the population in Hampstead has increased by no less than 35% in the past decade alone. (Note that official US Census data is open to some interpretation given that Hampstead is not an incorporated municipality.)
- Much of the area’s population today is now composed of residents who are not originally from Coastal North Carolina. This makes Hampstead an area that is relatively easy for out-of-state residents to move to but has proven to challenge the long-standing infrastructure of the community.
- Hampstead residents regularly debate the topic of incorporation. Proponents recognize incorporation as an opportunity to support the area’s growth with infrastructure, while proponents surface the cost-benefits of delaying incorporation and openness for a more open community without as much oversight.
- New home construction in Hampstead has been the catalyst for the area’s growth in recent years. Most neighborhoods and subdivisions rely on local Homeowner Associations (HOAs) to augment services provided by Pender County with their own. If you’re looking at buying new or recent construction in these areas, it is important to ask your realtor as many questions as possible.
- Hampstead boasts plenty of outdoor and recreational opportunities, from long-winding walks through predominantly pine forests to boating and beach access along the Intracoastal Water Way (ICWW) and shores of Topsail Island. there are several local parks and playgrounds, including the area’s largest – Hampstead Kiwanis Park.