North Carolina's Top Ten · Biltmore Forest · Grandfather Village · Governors Club · Marvin · Bald Head Island · Iredell's Lake Norman · Wrightsville Beach. Bald Head Island is off the coast of Brunswick County, and is only accessible by a 20-minute ferry from Southport. In seventh place, Wrightsville Beach is also on the list of the richest cities in the state. Wrightsville Beach is one of three coastal towns in New County Hanover.
While Bald Head Island and Wrightsville Beach were the only cities in the Wilmington area that ranked in the top 10, several other municipalities and census-designated places ranked lower among the state's 50 richest. Nags Head is a coastal town in Dare County known primarily for its stunning beaches. With its rich natural beauty and historic importance, this prime destination attracts homebuyers, investors and vacation property seekers from across the country. Located on North Carolina's stunning Outer Banks, Nags Head is located approximately 200 miles east of Raleigh.
With a year-round population of around 3,000 residents, the city grows significantly during peak tourist seasons, creating a dynamic and vibrant coastal community. Because of its waterfront location, it's a popular destination for tourists and there are plenty of things to do. Luxury homes and waterfront homes make Nags Head an exclusive place to live and an attractive place for coastal lovers. Nags Head may be an expensive place to be, but it's also a fantastic place to live.
This beautiful city has a unique atmosphere, lots of things to do, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're looking for a place to settle down or even a vacation home, this destination can be expensive, but with everything it has to offer, it's a great place to buy a home. In addition to being one of the richest cities in North Carolina, Cary is also one of the largest cities in North Carolina. With a thriving population of nearly 177,000 people, this city is considered to be the sixth largest city in the world state.
In addition to its sizable population, Cary is also known for its exceptional school systems, beautiful green spaces, and vibrant local community. The city's most popular attractions include the downtown Cary farmers market, the Lazy Daze arts and crafts festival, the summer concert series at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, and Bond Park, which features a large lake and numerous hiking trails. With high home values and per capita income rates, Cary shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to North Carolina's wealthiest cities. It's also one of the best places to live in North Carolina.
Not to be confused with the South Carolina city of the same name (which is pronounced differently), this charming little port city on the southern edge of the Outer Banks has a bustling marina in the center and is dotted with historic buildings that date back to the 18th century. Beaufort is home to the wonderful North Carolina Maritime Museum and is just a stone's throw from the natural wealth of the Rachel Carson Reserve. Look for wild horses and dolphins on the other side of the water as you stroll along the downtown promenades. Rent kayaks to explore the islands or take a ferry to enjoy the best bombing at Shackleford Banks.
At the southern end of the coast and just a short walk from bustling Wilmington, this tranquil coastal town on a 4-mile-long barrier island has a lot of charm, from a bird-nesting sanctuary on the southern edge to its iconic Johnnie Mercers fishing pier. Combine an Atlantic surf environment, a world focused on boating and SUP on Banks Channel, miles of wide beaches and a deep bank of old Carolina beach cabins for sale and rent, and you'll get a sense of the magic that makes Wrightsville Beach totally fun. Who doesn't love Oriental, a city with more than three times as many ships as inhabitants all year round? That connection to water through fishing, recreational boating, rowing and boating (Oriental is known as North Carolina's boating capital) defines the maritime charm of this community on the wide Neuse River, which flows into Pamlico Sound. Those who need a beach in their daily plans will find a quick solution in small Town Beach, and the expansive tracts of Atlantic Beach aren't there either far away.
Just south of Beaufort, this quiet fishing community known for preserving the Down East dialect has also become a popular spot for retirees. Harkers Island has a post office, a few restaurants and a grocery store, and is prized primarily for its small-town atmosphere and slow, pleasant pace of life. Stay in a house located next to the strait for great views of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Hatteras is the starting point for the ferry to Ocracoke, but there's more to this small fishing town.
Charter fishing trips, kitesurfing and surfing are popular activities here, in addition to exploring the sand dunes of Cape Hatteras National Shore. Hatteras is also home to the Atlantic Cemetery Museum, with exhibits spanning five centuries of maritime history and piracy. Just a short drive away, you can visit the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. North Carolina is one of 11 states with a fixed tax rate, meaning everyone pays taxes on the same percentage of their income.
Despite being just 2 miles off the coast of North Carolina, just south of Wilmington, this 3-by-1-mile barrier island seems like a secret hideaway from a Robert Louis Stevenson story. As someone who grew up in Charlotte, I was in high school before going to a North Carolina beach. Travelers who like to learn something during their travels can spend an hour at the North Carolina Maritime Museum on Front Street or take boat-building classes at Harvey W. If you're thinking about moving to North Carolina and prefer the charm of living in a small town, keep reading to learn more about North Carolina's best small towns.
With a population of approximately 911,311, it is North Carolina's largest city and a major financial center. Per capita income rates and home values remain among the highest in the state, making Weddington an impressive addition to North Carolina's wealthiest cities. Boone is a small, picturesque town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of the most popular western cities in North Carolina. Perhaps there isn't a beach destination in North Carolina as suitable for a family vacation as Duck, the northernmost city of the Outer Banks.
For a little more nature, you can go to Carolina Beach State Park for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and watching Venus's cool carnivorous flytrap. People looking to move to North Carolina choose Charlotte or Raleigh because of the advantages they both have. Duck has dedicated a great deal of energy and funds to nourishing its beaches (included among the best-restored beaches in 2015), but it's important to note that access is only for residents and renters of vacation properties. Holden Beach, a mostly residential island, is synonymous with simple pleasures, from biking and kayaking to playing on the beach and hunting ghost crabs at night.
