Whether it’s the ages-old oak trees that blanket the community or the quiet roads that run along the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway, Hampstead, “the Seafood Capital of the Carolinas,” is truly a special place.
For many years, Hampstead was just a small town along the northern route out of Wilmington. But over the past decade, this once-quiet fishing village has come alive, becoming a top destination for those looking to relocate to the Cape Fear region.
Hampstead lies in Pender County between Wilmington and Jacksonville on US 17 and reaches from the Onslow County line in the north to the New Hanover County line in the south. It is bounded by Topsail Island to the east and the Holly Shelter Game Preserve to the west and is one of North Carolina’s best-kept secrets.