What are the schools like in Hampstead, NC?

Hampstead is served primarily by Pender County Schools. The district operates 9 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.0:1.

What is the median household income in Hampstead?

The median household income in Hampstead, NC is $105,755 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.4%.

What is the weather like in Hampstead, NC?

Hampstead has an average high temperature of 55.9°F in January and 89.0°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 59.9 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.2 inches.

Hampstead, NC Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Hampstead, NC affordable or expensive?

Hampstead's cost of living index is 97, where 100 represents the national average. This means Hampstead is 3% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $368,900 and the median rent is $1,153 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Hampstead, NC?

Hampstead has a violent crime rate of 176.0 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1095.8 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Hampstead, NC a Good Place to Live?

Hampstead is a small town of 8,340 in North Carolina, with a median household income of $105,755 and a 6.4% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 97 (US average = 100), which is 3% below the national average.

Strengths: Hampstead stands out for solid school ratings (B+), a well-educated population.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Hampstead is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Hampstead city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 97.1

Hampstead's overall cost of living index is 97.1, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Hampstead costs roughly 3% less than the average American city.

Metric	Hampstead, NC	National Avg
Median Home Value	$368,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,153	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	74.2%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$105,755	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Hampstead's violent crime rate is 176.0 per 100,000 residents — 54% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

176.0 /100k

Property Crime

1095.8 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Hampstead is served primarily by Pender County Schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.0:1 (slightly above the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Hampstead, NC	National Avg
School District	Pender County Schools	—
Elementary Schools	9	—
Middle Schools	5	—
High Schools	4	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	18.0:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	42.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Hampstead sees average highs of 55.9°F in January and 89.0°F in July, with 59.9 inches of annual precipitation and 0.2 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Hampstead, NC
Average High — January	55.9°F
Average High — July	89.0°F
Annual Precipitation	59.9"
Annual Snowfall	0.2"

Demographics

Metric	Hampstead, NC	National Avg
Population	8,340	—
Median Age	37.5	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.4%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	30.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	83.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.9%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.8%	18.9%
Asian	1.0%	6.3%
Under 18	28.5%	22.2%
65 and over	14.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Porters Neck, NC 5 mi Bayshore, NC 6 mi Topsail Beach, NC 6 mi Murraysville, NC 7 mi Ogden, NC 7 mi

ZIP Codes in Hampstead

Hampstead, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code:

28443

Hampstead vs Other Cities

Hampstead, NC vs Porters Neck, NC Hampstead, NC vs Bayshore, NC Hampstead, NC vs Topsail Beach, NC Hampstead, NC vs Murraysville, NC Hampstead, NC vs Ogden, NC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hampstead, NC affordable or expensive?

Hampstead's cost of living index is 97, where 100 is the national average. That makes Hampstead roughly 3% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $368,900 and median rent is $1,153/month.

What is the crime rate in Hampstead, NC?

Hampstead's violent crime rate is 176.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1095.8 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Hampstead?

Public schools in Hampstead are operated by Pender County Schools. The district has 9 elementary, 5 middle, and 4 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 18.0:1. 42.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Hampstead, NC a good place to live?

Hampstead, NC has a population of 8,340, a median household income of $105,755, and an unemployment rate of 6.4%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Hampstead?

Hampstead averages 55.9°F in January and 89.0°F in July. Annual rainfall is 59.9 inches with about 0.2 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Hampstead?

Hampstead, NC is covered by 1 ZIP code: 28443.

What is the population of Hampstead?

The population of Hampstead, North Carolina is 8,340 with a median age of 37.5. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Hampstead?

Key numbers for living in Hampstead: cost of living index 97 (100 = US average), median home $368,900, median household income $105,755, crime index 49 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Hampstead side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.