Burgaw

Burgaw, NC, is a small farm town located north of Rocky Point, about 30 minutes from Wilmington. It’s filled with historic architecture and has an official historic district that is roughly bounded by Cowan Street, Freemont Street, Dudley Street, and Ashe Street. Homes and other buildings here have attracted scouts for multiple films and television series throughout the years, including Stephen King’s “Under the Dome” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer”.  It also serves as the county seat of Pender County.

With its existence owed to Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad, Burgaw started as a depot in 1850 and is now known to be the oldest in the state. It was very active during the Civil War and was established as a town in 1879 when the railroad company deeded a piece of land to the Pender County Board of Commissioners. The depot has since been expanded on, but you can still see some of the original parts. You can learn more about the history of Burgaw at the Pender County Museum.

Home buyers looking for acreage are often attracted to Burgaw. The area is known for having fertile farmland, having produced crops of tobacco, hemp, cotton, corn, soybeans, and berries. It’s home to the North Carolina Blueberry Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors every year in June, and on New Year's Eve they drop a giant blueberry, instead of a ball.

Burgaw also hosts the Pender County Spring Fest in May, which celebrates the history and residents of the county. It features entertainment, food, and a vendor fair with items made by Pender County residents. Plus, they have a poster design contest for the local kids.

Equestrians, as well as small livestock and poultry farmers, are also drawn to Burgaw. The land provides ample space for animals to thrive, and many of these residents enjoy the fact they can step outside their backdoor to feed their animals before driving to a day at the beach. Likewise, the proximity to Wilmington has made it a fruitful opportunity for horse owners to provide riding lessons as a business and small farmers to set up booths at the multiple outdoor markets around the city. 

Many of the shopping opportunities in town are locally owned: some have even been owned across generations. There are a few national chains, but what makes Burgaw unique is its boutiques and resale/antique stores. Grab a drink at the coffee shop and browse for your new favorite outfit or home decor. There's a lot to look at!

Though Burgaw may be a small town, it has some excellent health care options, including Burgaw Medical Center and Novant Health Pender Medical Center, which has a 24-hour emergency department. For more specialized care, residents travel to Wilmington or Jacksonville (40 mins).

Pender County Schools is based in Burgaw. The state of North Carolina provides "Report Cards" for all K-12 schools showing how they rank in education, class size, and more. You can view them here. For higher education, Cape Fear Community College offers classes at its Burgaw campus. The main campus, as well as the University of North Carolina, are located in Wilmington. So, there are multiple options for career and job training.

Burgaw is a friendly, quiet town with a slower pace but never a lack of opportunities. If you have any questions about living in Burgaw, we welcome you to call or send us a message. We are happy to help you narrow down your home search.