The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 28538 sells for about $144,900, or $108 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $901 a month.
ZIP 28538 — Hookerton
The housing market in 28538 remains stable with modest price appreciation and low inventory levels. Demand is driven by local residents seeking affordable housing, though the rural nature of the area limits rapid turnover and new development.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking affordable, rural living who are comfortable with a longer commute to larger employment centers.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 3.8 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
13% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.7% · poverty 23.1% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 28538, Jones County NC
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in this rural area are generally lower than the state average, with property crime being the primary concern.
Schools serving this area are part of the Jones County Public Schools system, which generally maintains average performance ratings.
The area is subject to hurricane and tropical storm risks common to coastal North Carolina, necessitating flood insurance for many properties.
Economic growth is modest, driven primarily by local agriculture, small-scale retail, and proximity to regional employment hubs in New Bern.
Property taxes are levied by Jones County and the local municipality; rates are determined by annual assessments with standard homestead exemptions available for primary residences.
Residents primarily commute by car to New Bern or Kinston, with average commute times exceeding 30 minutes due to the rural road network.
Local recreation is centered on outdoor activities, including access to the Trent River for fishing and boating, and proximity to regional parks.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand for affordable housing, with limited new multi-family development.
The local economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, forestry, and public sector employment within Jones County.
Transportation is entirely dependent on private vehicles, with no public transit infrastructure available in the area.
Development is limited to small-scale residential infill and agricultural support facilities.
The Jones County Tax Assessor conducts periodic revaluations to ensure property assessments align with market trends.
Parcels are subject to county-wide school and emergency service district taxes.
Property insurance premiums are elevated due to the region's vulnerability to coastal storm events.
The state continues to see net positive domestic migration, though rural counties like Jones experience slower growth compared to urban centers.
North Carolina is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for a relatively streamlined process for lenders.
Sellers are required to provide a Residential Property and Owners' Association Disclosure Statement to buyers.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for ZCTA 28538.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides local access for fishing and recreational boating.
Serves as a central hub for local educational and community resources.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.