Overview
Hampstead is an unincorporated but fast-growing coastal enclave in Pender County, set along U.S. 17 between Wilmington to the south and Surf City/Topsail Island to the east. Roughly 9,400 full-time residents spread across marsh, creek, and pine-forest acreage, making the town both a bedroom community for Wilmington commuters and a launch point for barrier-island adventures.
Locals nickname Hampstead the “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas,” a nod to the roadside fish houses that line the highway and supply restaurants across the region. The area’s working-waterfront heritage comes alive each autumn during the NC Spot Festival, a two-day celebration featuring live music, helicopter rides, and—of course—plates of fried spot fish.
Compared with Surf City, Hampstead sits on the mainland, offering larger home sites, three public golf courses, and quick Intracoastal Waterway access—yet it’s only a ten-minute drive to the island bridges. That mix of space and shore keeps demand and home values high while preserving a laid-back, locals-first vibe.
Map
Fast Facts
| Population (2020): | 9,404 |
|---|---|
| ZIP Code: | 28443 |
| County: | Pender |
| Land / Water Area: | 20.2 sq mi land; 0.1 sq mi water |
| Median Household Income (est. 2022): | $93,300 |
| Nickname: | “Seafood Capital of the Carolinas” |
| NC Spot Festival Founded: | 1963 (first weekend of November) |
| Public Golf Courses: | Castle Bay, Olde Point, Ironclad |
| Nearest Public Beach: | Surf City – about 8 miles via NC-210 |
Schools
- Topsail Elementary —
- North Topsail Elementary —
- Surf City Elementary —
- Topsail Middle —
- Surf City Middle —
- Topsail High —
Things to Do
- Hampstead Kiwanis Park: — 80-acre complex with playgrounds, skate ramp, and lighted ballfields.
- Castle Bay Country Club: — Scottish-links 18-hole public course and pub.
- Poplar Grove Plantation & Farmers Market: — 19th-century peanut plantation museum plus a Wednesday open-air market (April–October).
- Harbour Village Marina: — Deep-water slips, charter fishing, and sunset cruises.
- Sloop Point Plantation Site: — Photo-worthy 1726 homestead—the oldest documented coastal home in North Carolina.
- US-17 Roadside Fish Houses: — Buy day-boat shrimp and oysters right from the source.
Public Services
Upcoming Events
NC Spot Festival (November): Two-day seafood and bluegrass celebration.
Poplar Grove “Merry & Bright” Holiday Lights (December): Plantation grounds decked out in LEDs, carriage rides, and craft market.
Pender County Blueberry Festival (June, nearby Burgaw): County-wide celebration that draws Hampstead vendors each summer.