$572,506Average Value$290Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
The heart of Hatteras Island
At the elbow of Hatteras Island, where the narrow strip of land widens and turns west, lies Buxton, a small village wedged between the Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Best known as the home to Cape Hatteras and its iconic lighthouse, Buxton is also considered by residents to be the heart of Hatteras. “We moved here for the quality of life and the small-town feel,” says Carla Reynolds, a longtime Buxton resident and broker-in-charge at NC 12 Realty. “It’s all about the watersports. Fishing, kiteboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing: It’s part of the lifestyle.” Wendi Munden, another Realtor with NC 12 Realty who lives in the village, calls Buxton the epicenter of the island. “It’s where the schools are, our community building, our electricity company — all the infrastructure,” she says. “It’s just better for year-round living.” Indeed, this village has the highest year-round population on the island, with just over 1,200 permanent residents. However, some folks still purchase homes in Buxton for seasonal rentals, as Cape Point is one of the Outer Bank’s most prominent fishing spots.
Discover Buxton, a beautiful small village with coastal living, at the elbow of Hatteras Island.
Cape Point in Buxton is great spot for surfing waves on the Outer Banks.
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Soundside and waterfront living
Waterfront property is in high demand here. Most homes in Buxton sit near the sea, the Sound or North Carolina Highway 12, the village’s main thoroughfare. In typical Outer Banks fashion, most houses sit atop wooden stilts and feature elaborate, multi-level balconies to take advantage of the oceanside views. Pastel-hued siding or traditional shingle siding are also common, though home styles can range from single-story Cape Cods to towering three-level stunners. While luxury waterfront properties can sell for $1 million to $2 million, most other single-family homes list in the $325,000 to $850,000, range depending on proximity to the beach.
Buxton has colorful oceanfront homes with large balconies.
Find coastal home styles with striking architectural style on the Pamlico Sound in Buxton.
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Visitors flock to the village’s trademark lighthouse
Buxton's widely recognized icon is the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, its distinctive black and white spiral pattern visible for miles, drawing in visitors from all over to scale its height for an unmatched view of the island. Famously the tallest lighthouse in the country, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was a guiding light for sailors navigating the Cape’s treacherous Diamond Shoals, a chain of shifting sandbars where hundreds of ships crashed, earning the waters off the Outer Banks the infamous title “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Today, the lighthouse is a symbol of Buxton and the Outer Banks as a whole. The adjacent Museum of the Sea, located in the former lighthouse keepers’ residence, commemorates the barrier islands’ maritime history.
Cape Hatteras Light is the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. located on Hatteras Island in Buxton.
Explore great exhibits in the Museum of the Sea at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
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Surf fishing attracts anglers from all over
Miles of waterfront border Buxton on both the Sound side and the sea side of the island. “There’s not as much accessible beachfront in Buxton, because the National Parks Service owns so much of the oceanfront where Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is. So it’s a small beach area, which means less room for tourists,” Reynolds says. “However, we do have one of the only lifeguarded beaches on Hatteras Island.” Fishers and surfers converge at Cape Point, locally shortened to “the Point.” The strong currents here make it a popular spot for anglers to drive out on the sand and spend a day casting out to sea, and the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club has hosted an annual surf fishing tournament along the shore for over 60 years. Just north of town is Haulover Day Use Area, famously a hotspot for windsurfers and kiteboarders to catch some waves. Even landlubbers can find outdoor recreation in Buxton, partly due to its relatively large inland area of preserved woodlands. Buxton Woods Nature Trail winds through forests and marshlands, dotted by informative signs that narrate the village and the island’s history. Families head to the Dare County Fessenden Center for playground fun and youth baseball games, with summer camps and lessons offered at the park and recreation center.
Buxton locals enjoy surf fishing at Cape Point in Cape Hatteras.
The playground at the Fessenden Center has activities for kids in Buxton.
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No chain stores, just mom-and-pop shops
Buxton has a small-town feel, with no big chain stores and few enough local businesses that it’s possible to get to know them all by name. However, residents still have enough to get by, and then some. Conner’s Supermarket is the go-to for groceries, while the charming cottage that operates as Buxton Village Book is a good spot to pick up a beach read. There’s a United Bank branch, a post office and an island rescue station in town. Residents can travel 15 minutes up to Avon for medical care at Outer Banks Family Medicine Avon, while furry friends are well cared for at the Coastal Animal Hospital of Hatteras Island. And, of course, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat year-round. “Orange Blossom Bakery is famous for its apple uglies. People travel across the island for them, these big old fried apple fritter things. I actually like their donuts better,” Reynolds said. “Buxton Munch is the number one restaurant in town on Tripadvisor, and they push hard for that. It’s a good little restaurant.”
Conner's Supermarket in Buxton is the best place to shop for all of your grocery needs.
Buxton Munch Co is a popular family restaurant with delicious food.
Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe in Buxton serves famous "Apple Uglies," and breakfast items.
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The island’s only schools are in town
Buxton is home to two Dare County Schools: Cape Hatteras Elementary and Cape Hatteras Secondary School. The former scores a B-minus from Niche, while the latter receives a B and serves grades six through 12. Cape Hatteras Secondary School is equipped with a robust media center that hosts an annual horror short film contest for students, dubbed the Haunted Cape Film Festival. Both schools have fewer than 400 students.
Cape Hatteras Elementary School serves students pre-k to 5th grade in Buxton, NC.
Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton, NC serves students from grades 6th-12th.
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Along well-trafficked North Carolina Highway 12
N.C. Highway 12 connects Buxton to the rest of the Outer Banks. Kill Devil Hills, the most populous town on the islands, is roughly 60 miles north, a drive that takes an hour and 15 minutes. About 10 miles west is Hatteras, where residents can take a free ferry to Ocracoke.
Coastal considerations at higher elevation
When buying a home on an island, homebuyers should be aware of the risks that come with life in the Outer Banks. Most houses here are in a flood zone; hurricanes, tropical storms and nor’easters can affect properties throughout the year. However, Buxton is considered slightly safer due to its higher elevation, putting it at a lower risk for flooding than other areas in the Outer Banks. “For retirees who can’t or don’t want to climb a lot of stairs, most homes in the Outer Banks are on piling. In Buxton, with the higher elevation, you can find houses that are lower to the ground,” Reynolds says.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Matt Myatt,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Fessenden Center
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Buxton
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Buxton, Nags Head sell after 55 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Buxton, Nags Head over the last 12 months is $549,541, up 11% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Don’t miss this opportunity to own Sandbar & Grille, a fully operational, turnkey restaurant located on the top floor of a prime building offering breathtaking sunset views from both the indoor dining area and outdoor deck. This established restaurant is perfect for a restaurateur seeking a high-traffic location with potential for growth.The property also features a 1-bedroom, 1-bath
LOCATION, LOCATION & LOCATION!!! Oceanfront beauty right on the beach with 5 ensuite bedrooms is perfect for weekly vacations & investment opportunities. Stunning views of the ocean, Cape Point and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse! Perfectly located close to shopping, restaurants, water sports, world class fishing, kayaking & such, providing everything you need for tons of fun in the sun!
Here’s a fantastic opportunity to own a spacious, partially cleared lot in the highly desirable Hatteras Pines development. Set among peaceful woodlands, this private 3/4-acre property in the X Flood Zone comes with a 3-bedroom septic permit and house plans on file—perfectly prepared for building your dream home. The Hatteras Pines neighborhood offers a large private community pool, a separate
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Matt Myatt,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
678
Median Age
53
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$55,000
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$72,811
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.5%
College Graduates
25%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
61''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
