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NCNorth Carolina rankings

Top vacation-home towns in North Carolina

Ranked by the share of all homes held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use: lake houses, ski condos and summer cottages. 294 towns with 2,500+ residents.

U.S. Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year

1 Emerald Isle 68.9% Home value $603,700 2 Surf City 48.8% Home value $512,300 Wrightsville Beach 3 Wrightsville Beach 47.1% Home value $1,168,700
#TownSeasonal homesHome valuePopulation
1 Emerald Isle3,934 people 68.9% $603,700 3,934
2 Surf City4,396 people 48.8% $512,300 4,396
3 Wrightsville Beach Wrightsville Beach2,665 people 47.1% $1,168,700 2,665
4 Oak Island Oak Island9,030 people 44.8% $456,500 9,030
5 Sunset Beach Sunset Beach4,351 people 38.8% $410,900 4,351
6 Southern Shores Southern Shores3,139 people 37.4% $712,300 3,139
7 Carolina Beach6,745 people 37.3% $566,200 6,745
8 Map of Kill Devil Hills Kill Devil Hills7,761 people 35.7% $442,200 7,761
9 Map of Kitty Hawk Kitty Hawk3,724 people 32.7% $535,000 3,724
10 Map of Nags Head Nags Head3,160 people 31.6% $490,800 3,160
11 Beaufort4,689 people 20.4% $354,900 4,689
12 Morehead City Morehead City9,806 people 16.4% $357,400 9,806
13 Flat Rock Flat Rock3,530 people 15.1% $601,700 3,530
14 Southport4,205 people 14% $437,700 4,205
15 Lake Norman of Catawba9,906 people 13.5% $492,600 9,906
16 St. James7,072 people 12.2% $636,800 7,072
17 Map of Fairfield Harbour Fairfield Harbour2,948 people 11.9% $300,600 2,948
18 Map of Seven Lakes Seven Lakes4,535 people 11.1% $394,500 4,535
19 Map of Holly Ridge Holly Ridge4,904 people 10.4% $360,300 4,904
20 Edenton Edenton4,494 people 9.6% $274,100 4,494
21 Carolina Shores5,017 people 9.4% $288,600 5,017
22 Brevard Brevard7,897 people 9.2% $450,000 7,897
23 Valley Hill2,675 people 9.2% $353,100 2,675
24 Lake Norman of Iredell12,494 people 9.1% $887,400 12,494
25 Map of Cape Carteret Cape Carteret2,703 people 8.8% $375,700 2,703
26 Map of Black Mountain Black Mountain8,513 people 8.6% $358,900 8,513
27 Boiling Spring Lakes6,347 people 8.5% $292,300 6,347
28 Shallotte4,639 people 8.5% $349,500 4,639
29 Waynesville10,502 people 8% $281,700 10,502
30 Pinehurst Pinehurst18,256 people 7.6% $476,600 18,256
31 Map of Franklin Franklin4,268 people 7.1% $195,000 4,268
32 Map of Westport Westport5,915 people 6.1% $580,000 5,915
33 River Road3,366 people 5.1% $232,800 3,366
34 Map of Swansboro Swansboro3,997 people 4.9% $378,700 3,997
35 Warsaw2,746 people 4.7% $112,500 2,746
36 Map of Etowah Etowah7,968 people 4.6% $338,100 7,968
37 River Bend2,874 people 4.4% $266,100 2,874
38 Wallace3,457 people 4.2% $178,000 3,457
39 Mar-Mac2,877 people 4.2% $149,200 2,877
40 Hamlet5,961 people 4% $112,600 5,961
41 Map of Randleman Randleman4,644 people 3.9% $184,700 4,644
42 Map of East Flat Rock East Flat Rock6,323 people 3.8% $245,900 6,323
43 Newport4,441 people 3.8% $233,600 4,441
44 Map of Windsor Windsor3,269 people 3.6% $102,700 3,269
45 Wrightsboro Wrightsboro6,287 people 3.5% $255,700 6,287
46 Map of Smithfield Smithfield12,116 people 3.4% $242,500 12,116
47 Map of Cornelius Cornelius32,783 people 3.3% $559,400 32,783
48 Clinton8,304 people 3.3% $212,000 8,304
49 Southern Pines Southern Pines16,420 people 3.2% $451,100 16,420
50 Mills River Mills River7,281 people 3.2% $436,100 7,281
51 Elroy3,251 people 3.2% $133,100 3,251
52 Brices Creek3,415 people 3.1% $338,700 3,415
53 Spout Springs11,242 people 3% $358,500 11,242
54 Haw River2,824 people 3% $162,400 2,824
55 Mount Olive4,453 people 2.9% $153,500 4,453
56 Map of Bethlehem Bethlehem4,101 people 2.9% $327,000 4,101
57 Davidson Davidson15,660 people 2.8% $687,700 15,660
58 Map of Mount Airy Mount Airy10,633 people 2.8% $181,900 10,633
59 Map of Elon Elon11,032 people 2.7% $366,300 11,032
60 Map of Mars Hill Mars Hill3,025 people 2.7% $294,700 3,025
61 Map of Jonesville Jonesville2,860 people 2.7% $102,900 2,860
62 Map of James City James City4,789 people 2.6% $204,400 4,789
63 Map of Troutman Troutman3,995 people 2.5% $398,800 3,995
64 Map of Grifton Grifton2,515 people 2.5% $152,700 2,515
65 Hendersonville Hendersonville15,408 people 2.4% $317,000 15,408
66 Map of Ogden Ogden8,249 people 2.4% $463,700 8,249
67 Map of Wilmington Wilmington120,805 people 2.3% $383,800 120,805
68 Map of Plymouth Plymouth3,250 people 2.2% $87,000 3,250
69 Map of Half Moon Half Moon7,378 people 2.1% $182,500 7,378
70 Map of Rocky Mount Rocky Mount54,297 people 2% $165,700 54,297
71 Gibsonville9,467 people 2% $298,000 9,467
72 Map of Ahoskie Ahoskie4,764 people 2% $143,200 4,764
73 Liberty Liberty2,682 people 2% $194,500 2,682
74 Map of Walkertown Walkertown5,873 people 1.9% $236,900 5,873
75 Leland29,607 people 1.8% $398,900 29,607
76 Map of Woodfin Woodfin8,048 people 1.8% $366,700 8,048
77 Map of Sawmills Sawmills5,042 people 1.8% $219,600 5,042
78 Map of Asheville Asheville94,535 people 1.7% $440,000 94,535
79 Mooresville Mooresville52,381 people 1.7% $390,900 52,381
80 Forest City Forest City7,363 people 1.7% $160,800 7,363
81 Williamston Williamston5,112 people 1.7% $107,100 5,112
82 Spindale Spindale4,131 people 1.7% $167,400 4,131
83 Map of Hudson Hudson3,772 people 1.7% $223,000 3,772
84 Harrisburg Harrisburg19,633 people 1.6% $478,000 19,633
85 Henderson14,885 people 1.6% $123,800 14,885
86 Winterville10,725 people 1.6% $245,100 10,725
87 Map of Jamestown Jamestown3,708 people 1.6% $326,800 3,708
88 Tobaccoville Tobaccoville2,664 people 1.6% $234,200 2,664
89 Concord Concord108,719 people 1.5% $353,700 108,719
90 Kannapolis Kannapolis57,890 people 1.5% $276,400 57,890
91 Map of Forest Oaks Forest Oaks4,293 people 1.5% $349,300 4,293
92 Elkin Elkin4,043 people 1.5% $226,900 4,043
93 Map of Carthage Carthage2,896 people 1.5% $208,200 2,896
94 Butner8,065 people 1.4% $231,100 8,065
95 Map of Cherryville Cherryville6,226 people 1.4% $232,100 6,226
96 Canton4,419 people 1.4% $246,700 4,419
97 Map of Greenville Greenville92,857 people 1.3% $233,500 92,857
98 New Bern32,734 people 1.3% $240,100 32,734
99 Nashville5,729 people 1.3% $205,300 5,729
100 Tabor City Tabor City3,777 people 1.3% $115,900 3,777
101 Map of Goldsboro Goldsboro34,383 people 1.2% $200,400 34,383
102 Map of Matthews Matthews30,577 people 1.2% $445,100 30,577
103 Map of Boone Boone20,032 people 1.2% $411,100 20,032
104 Map of Washington Washington9,726 people 1.2% $206,800 9,726
105 Map of Thomasville Thomasville27,321 people 1.1% $179,300 27,321
106 Elizabeth City Elizabeth City18,871 people 1.1% $187,700 18,871
107 Map of Havelock Havelock17,691 people 1.1% $207,700 17,691
108 Map of Trent Woods Trent Woods4,032 people 1.1% $343,100 4,032
109 Elizabethtown3,277 people 1.1% $159,200 3,277
110 Map of Jacksonville Jacksonville71,279 people 1% $210,100 71,279
111 Wake Forest Wake Forest52,844 people 1% $474,500 52,844
112 Wilson48,370 people 1% $210,700 48,370
113 Map of Hickory Hickory44,258 people 1% $278,400 44,258
114 Mount Holly Mount Holly18,208 people 1% $337,800 18,208
115 Zebulon8,711 people 1% $320,700 8,711
116 Swannanoa Swannanoa6,901 people 1% $287,500 6,901
117 Map of Dallas Dallas6,104 people 1% $254,000 6,104
118 Ayden5,150 people 1% $182,400 5,150
119 Map of Buies Creek Buies Creek3,746 people 1% $361,500 3,746
120 Swepsonville Swepsonville2,517 people 1% $311,200 2,517
121 Chapel Hill Chapel Hill61,607 people 0.9% $613,700 61,607
122 Map of Waxhaw Waxhaw22,275 people 0.9% $549,400 22,275
123 Map of Winston-Salem Winston-Salem252,037 people 0.8% $233,800 252,037
124 Map of Lumberton Lumberton18,859 people 0.8% $152,600 18,859
125 Map of Summerfield Summerfield11,116 people 0.8% $521,900 11,116
126 Kings Grant Kings Grant9,003 people 0.8% $300,700 9,003
127 Map of Oxford Oxford8,914 people 0.8% $196,200 8,914
128 Map of Rockfish Rockfish3,574 people 0.8% $199,900 3,574
129 East Rockingham2,779 people 0.8% $111,800 2,779
130 Belville2,573 people 0.8% $282,600 2,573
131 Map of Greensboro Greensboro301,198 people 0.7% $244,800 301,198
132 Durham Durham291,467 people 0.7% $392,800 291,467
133 Graham Graham18,048 people 0.7% $233,800 18,048
134 Map of King King7,408 people 0.7% $238,200 7,408
135 Cramerton5,450 people 0.7% $343,400 5,450
136 Gamewell3,689 people 0.7% $170,100 3,689
137 Fayetteville210,815 people 0.6% $188,000 210,815
138 Map of Burlington Burlington59,610 people 0.6% $199,200 59,610
139 Map of Statesville Statesville29,894 people 0.6% $248,000 29,894
140 Kinston19,505 people 0.6% $119,300 19,505
141 Morganton17,646 people 0.6% $221,700 17,646
142 Rural Hall3,466 people 0.6% $189,600 3,466
143 Red Springs3,125 people 0.6% $100,800 3,125
144 Wilson's Mills2,753 people 0.6% $241,800 2,753
145 Map of Franklinton Franklinton2,645 people 0.6% $249,100 2,645
146 Map of Cary Cary179,306 people 0.5% $580,200 179,306
147 Mebane19,538 people 0.5% $338,900 19,538
148 Eden15,356 people 0.5% $120,700 15,356
149 Map of Reidsville Reidsville14,585 people 0.5% $138,800 14,585
150 Map of Archdale Archdale12,087 people 0.5% $198,000 12,087
151 Marion Marion7,579 people 0.5% $163,500 7,579
152 Map of Charlotte Charlotte903,844 people 0.4% $385,700 903,844
153 Raleigh Raleigh481,031 people 0.4% $415,800 481,031
154 Map of High Point High Point116,245 people 0.4% $235,800 116,245
155 Huntersville Huntersville63,969 people 0.4% $472,900 63,969
156 Map of Holly Springs Holly Springs45,248 people 0.4% $535,800 45,248
157 Fuquay-Varina40,485 people 0.4% $451,500 40,485
158 Clemmons21,871 people 0.4% $335,800 21,871
159 Map of Roanoke Rapids Roanoke Rapids14,856 people 0.4% $142,700 14,856
160 Spring Lake11,573 people 0.4% $124,000 11,573
161 Roxboro8,182 people 0.4% $157,700 8,182
162 Long View Long View5,011 people 0.4% $157,300 5,011
163 Gastonia82,884 people 0.3% $277,600 82,884
164 Morrisville31,422 people 0.3% $518,800 31,422
165 Map of Unionville Unionville6,954 people 0.3% $336,200 6,954
166 Map of Raeford Raeford4,552 people 0.3% $201,800 4,552
167 Map of Murfreesboro Murfreesboro3,170 people 0.3% $158,600 3,170
168 Monroe Monroe36,759 people 0.2% $309,100 36,759
169 Map of Salisbury Salisbury35,825 people 0.2% $242,500 35,825
170 Map of Kernersville Kernersville27,830 people 0.2% $290,700 27,830
171 Mint Hill Mint Hill27,556 people 0.2% $428,900 27,556
172 Map of Carrboro Carrboro21,204 people 0.2% $539,400 21,204
173 Map of Laurinburg Laurinburg15,087 people 0.2% $134,200 15,087
174 Pineville Pineville11,055 people 0.2% $395,100 11,055
175 Rockingham8,967 people 0.2% $150,800 8,967
176 Garner34,473 people 0.1% $355,000 34,473
177 Asheboro Asheboro27,580 people 0.1% $188,100 27,580
178 Map of Shelby Shelby22,100 people 0.1% $197,200 22,100
179 Lexington Lexington19,690 people 0.1% $179,900 19,690
180 Dunn8,559 people 0.1% $193,900 8,559
181 Apex70,630 people 0% $576,100 70,630
182 Indian Trail Indian Trail42,036 people 0% $385,000 42,036
183 Sanford Sanford31,478 people 0% $245,400 31,478
184 Map of Clayton Clayton29,320 people 0% $329,600 29,320
185 Map of Knightdale Knightdale20,214 people 0% $380,100 20,214
186 Lenoir18,299 people 0% $179,400 18,299
187 Hope Mills17,939 people 0% $190,600 17,939
188 Stallings16,886 people 0% $428,000 16,886
189 Albemarle Albemarle16,762 people 0% $204,800 16,762
190 Murraysville Murraysville16,339 people 0% $320,700 16,339
191 Belmont15,546 people 0% $395,000 15,546
192 Map of Piney Green Piney Green14,078 people 0% $227,600 14,078
193 Anderson Creek13,927 people 0% $282,200 13,927
194 Lewisville Lewisville13,828 people 0% $325,400 13,828
195 Map of Weddington Weddington13,805 people 0% $824,100 13,805
196 Map of Newton Newton13,333 people 0% $186,300 13,333
197 Map of Wendell Wendell13,064 people 0% $330,500 13,064
198 Myrtle Grove12,637 people 0% $439,100 12,637
199 Map of Kings Mountain Kings Mountain12,039 people 0% $204,100 12,039
200 Lincolnton Lincolnton11,783 people 0% $248,700 11,783
201 Map of Tarboro Tarboro10,770 people 0% $185,500 10,770
202 Map of Rolesville Rolesville10,766 people 0% $535,000 10,766
203 Hillsborough Hillsborough9,724 people 0% $460,100 9,724
204 Map of St. Stephens St. Stephens9,457 people 0% $213,300 9,457
205 Hampstead9,292 people 0% $402,100 9,292
206 Aberdeen9,228 people 0% $314,900 9,228
207 Wesley Chapel Wesley Chapel9,090 people 0% $535,500 9,090
208 Map of Conover Conover8,580 people 0% $271,300 8,580
209 Fletcher Fletcher8,098 people 0% $331,100 8,098
210 Siler City7,995 people 0% $154,600 7,995
211 Cullowhee Cullowhee7,973 people 0% $382,300 7,973
212 Map of Oak Ridge Oak Ridge7,744 people 0% $529,300 7,744
213 Porters Neck7,654 people 0% $569,700 7,654
214 Map of Trinity Trinity7,111 people 0% $216,600 7,111
215 Map of Selma Selma6,817 people 0% $171,600 6,817
216 Map of Marvin Marvin6,692 people 0% $906,000 6,692
217 Map of Silver Lake Silver Lake6,563 people 0% $325,500 6,563
218 Angier6,241 people 0% $268,200 6,241
219 Map of Mocksville Mocksville6,068 people 0% $240,700 6,068
220 Briar Chapel6,049 people 0% $570,300 6,049
221 Map of Stokesdale Stokesdale6,004 people 0% $379,100 6,004
222 Barbecue5,910 people 0% $219,800 5,910
223 Northchase5,896 people 0% $318,400 5,896
224 Locust5,840 people 0% $322,100 5,840
225 Moyock5,684 people 0% $405,100 5,684
226 Bessemer City Bessemer City5,580 people 0% $206,100 5,580
227 Whispering Pines5,211 people 0% $464,800 5,211
228 Archer Lodge Archer Lodge5,186 people 0% $324,500 5,186
229 Map of Pleasant Garden Pleasant Garden5,060 people 0% $223,500 5,060
230 Creedmoor Creedmoor4,997 people 0% $281,400 4,997
231 Map of Wadesboro Wadesboro4,972 people 0% $153,200 4,972
232 Map of Granite Falls Granite Falls4,929 people 0% $202,400 4,929
233 Midway4,897 people 0% $274,100 4,897
234 Midland4,860 people 0% $369,100 4,860
235 Boiling Springs Boiling Springs4,757 people 0% $265,400 4,757
236 Pittsboro Pittsboro4,752 people 0% $376,300 4,752
237 Lillington4,709 people 0% $247,200 4,709
238 Map of Valdese Valdese4,704 people 0% $209,800 4,704
239 Whiteville4,696 people 0% $187,500 4,696
240 Erwin4,687 people 0% $161,100 4,687
241 Weaverville Weaverville4,687 people 0% $463,700 4,687
242 Map of Ranlo Ranlo4,617 people 0% $200,200 4,617
243 Map of China Grove China Grove4,530 people 0% $225,800 4,530
244 Map of Farmville Farmville4,514 people 0% $183,000 4,514
245 Wingate Wingate4,425 people 0% $229,800 4,425
246 Map of North Wilkesboro North Wilkesboro4,421 people 0% $212,700 4,421
247 Map of Royal Pines Royal Pines4,325 people 0% $400,200 4,325
248 Benson Benson4,282 people 0% $279,800 4,282
249 Dana4,147 people 0% $249,700 4,147
250 Map of Stanley Stanley4,069 people 0% $270,200 4,069
251 Mountain View3,982 people 0% $222,500 3,982
252 Map of Lowesville Lowesville3,874 people 0% $406,500 3,874
253 Burgaw3,850 people 0% $242,200 3,850
254 Tyro3,833 people 0% $191,800 3,833
255 Map of Skippers Corner Skippers Corner3,792 people 0% $247,500 3,792
256 Maiden Maiden3,788 people 0% $233,800 3,788
257 Map of Lowell Lowell3,768 people 0% $200,600 3,768
258 Map of Landis Landis3,765 people 0% $252,100 3,765
259 Map of Rutherfordton Rutherfordton3,680 people 0% $288,400 3,680
260 Eastover Eastover3,666 people 0% $241,600 3,666
261 Map of Wilkesboro Wilkesboro3,646 people 0% $223,700 3,646
262 Fairview3,619 people 0% $382,300 3,619
263 Map of Welcome Welcome3,521 people 0% $200,800 3,521
264 Map of Glen Raven Glen Raven3,506 people 0% $224,000 3,506
265 Map of Mountain Home Mountain Home3,437 people 0% $400,000 3,437
266 Map of Lake Park Lake Park3,431 people 0% $334,500 3,431
267 Red Oak3,405 people 0% $271,800 3,405
268 Map of Spencer Spencer3,349 people 0% $201,700 3,349
269 Map of Enochville Enochville3,321 people 0% $265,700 3,321
270 Map of Mineral Springs Mineral Springs3,314 people 0% $389,900 3,314
271 Map of Louisburg Louisburg3,263 people 0% $262,500 3,263
272 Map of Green Level Green Level3,230 people 0% $168,400 3,230
273 Bermuda Run3,211 people 0% $347,600 3,211
274 Map of Wallburg Wallburg3,150 people 0% $343,700 3,150
275 Map of Granite Quarry Granite Quarry3,043 people 0% $257,300 3,043
276 Map of Youngsville Youngsville3,011 people 0% $434,100 3,011
277 Map of Yadkinville Yadkinville3,004 people 0% $183,800 3,004
278 Map of Bayshore Bayshore2,949 people 0% $525,800 2,949
279 Map of Troy Troy2,926 people 0% $160,100 2,926
280 Map of Avery Creek Avery Creek2,887 people 0% $412,900 2,887
281 Pembroke2,822 people 0% $129,400 2,822
282 Rockwell Rockwell2,782 people 0% $237,200 2,782
283 Map of La Grange La Grange2,756 people 0% $83,800 2,756
284 Brogden2,733 people 0% $96,400 2,733
285 Edneyville2,716 people 0% $286,400 2,716
286 Cajah's Mountain2,704 people 0% $201,800 2,704
287 Wentworth2,692 people 0% $170,300 2,692
288 St. Pauls2,688 people 0% $111,000 2,688
289 Map of Oakboro Oakboro2,683 people 0% $282,600 2,683
290 Map of Neuse Forest Neuse Forest2,671 people 0% $228,000 2,671
291 Emma2,657 people 0% $92,300 2,657
292 Map of Sylva Sylva2,646 people 0% $201,200 2,646
293 Map of Marshville Marshville2,615 people 0% $172,300 2,615
294 Polkton Polkton2,555 people 0% $130,100 2,555

How this ranking works

We rank every town by the share of all homes held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use: lake houses, ski condos and summer cottages. The town with the highest figure ranks #1. For comparison, the figure for North Carolina as a whole is 3.9%.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states

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