Brunswick County
NC · Pop. 145,889 · Mixed County
Brunswick County sits in North Carolina across 850 square miles, home to 145,889 people at 171.6 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, corn, hay. The median home price is $315,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.57%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F and average winter lows of 36.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 53.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 232-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 53.7 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Brunswick County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $315k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 232 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 53.7"
- Broadband
- 99.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center, 2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Brunswick County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Brunswick County?
- Brunswick County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 232-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.7°F, and average winter lows of 36.6°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $315,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center is 2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 hospitals in the county.
Explore North Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in North Carolina
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The closest counties to Brunswick County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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