Duplin County
NC · Pop. 49,053 · Suburban County
Duplin County sits in North Carolina across 815 square miles, home to 49,053 people at 60.2 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, hay, corn. The median home price is $123,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 193-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F and average winter lows of 30.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 54.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Vidant Duplin Hospital is 2.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 86.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 193-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $123,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Vidant Duplin Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on soybeans, hay, corn means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
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.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
At a glance
Duplin County, NC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 67/100
- Median home price
- $123k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 193 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 54.2"
- Broadband
- 86.3%
- Nearest hospital
- Vidant Duplin Hospital, 2.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Duplin County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Duplin County?
- Duplin County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 193-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.3°F, and average winter lows of 30.2°F. The established crops are soybeans, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $123,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 86.3% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Vidant Duplin Hospital is 2.7 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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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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