Choose the Crystal Coast

Carteret County NC Map
Carteret County North Carolina
Carteret County NC Map
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Come and be a part of the award-winning Crystal Coast! Located on the central coast of North Carolina, the Crystal Coasts boasts:

  • The South’s Best Small Town 2019 — Beaufort — voted #1 by Southern Living magazine
  • The Carteret County Public School System — among the best performing schools in North Carolina, ranked 2nd in 2020 for SAT and ACT scores
  • Carteret Health Care — recognized as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital in the U.S. and the only North Carolina hospital that is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network
  • The Best Beach in NC 2018 — Emerald Isle — voted #1 by USA Today
  • One of the South’s Best Pubs 2019 — The Backstreet Pub in Beaufort — voted #3 by Southern Living magazine
  • North Carolina's lowest county property tax rate ($.33/$100 valuation, 2020-21)

Why the Crystal Coast

Long a world-class destination for visitors, the Crystal Coast is now recognized as a great place to live full-time.  With North Carolina’s lowest property tax rate, top-ranked public schools and the only North Carolina hospital affiliated with the Mayo Clinic Care Network, Carteret County attracts people at every stage of life to become permanent residents.  The transformation of U.S. 70 to new Interstate 42 is accelerating the in-migration of new residents.

To say that the Crystal Coast offers a superlative quality of life is an understatement.  With a temperate 4-season climate and the Atlantic Ocean and multiple sounds and rivers accessible within minutes from any location in the county, Carteret County is a mecca for those seeking outdoor recreation and a pristine natural environment.  The County is composed of many quaint small towns and unincorporated communities, each with its unique personality and cultural amenities.

The Crystal Coast is an ideal business location as well.  Carteret County is a magnet for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and the county has a diverse mix of businesses and industries—with clusters of hospitality, manufacturing, health care, marine sciences, and transportation/logistics companies.  The Port of Morehead City is a unique county asset, and the nearby Marine Corps facilities at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point Marine Corps are huge economic engines for the region as well as generators of skilled laborers for local employers.

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