Carteret County
NC · Pop. 68,652 · Mixed County
Carteret County sits in North Carolina across 508 square miles, home to 68,652 people at 135.1 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, greens. A median home price of $304,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.45% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 261-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F and average winter lows of 38.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.6 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Carteret General Hospital is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 261-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.5% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 54.6 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.
- 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
Carteret County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $304k
- Property tax
- 0.45%
- Growing season
- 261 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.6"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Carteret General Hospital, 15.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Carteret County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Carteret County?
- Carteret County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 261-day growing season, average summer highs of 84°F, and average winter lows of 38.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, greens.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $304,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carteret General Hospital is 15.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore North Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in North Carolina
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The closest counties to Carteret 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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