Investing in Columbus County, North Carolina

Columbus County is located in southeastern North Carolina and borders South Carolina, sitting within the Coastal Plain region. The county seat and largest community is Whiteville, with other investor-relevant towns including Tabor City, Chadbourn, Lake Waccamaw, Bolton, and Fair Bluff. Wikipedia+1

From an investor’s perspective, Columbus County is typically analyzed as an affordability-driven / cash-flow-oriented market where returns are often created through (1) buying right (older housing stock, value-add opportunities), and (2) focusing on workforce rental demand supported by local employers, healthcare, and regional access to nearby coastal job centers. Liquidity and tenant quality can vary substantially by submarket—so underwriting should be neighborhood-specific rather than “county average.” columbusedc.com+1

Population & Demographic Overview

  • Current population (July 1, 2024 est.): 50,054 Census.gov
  • Trend: Census estimates show modest change since 2020 (near-flat overall in the most recent estimate window). Census.gov
  • Median household income (2019–2023, 2023 dollars): $48,184 Census.gov

General tenant demographics (investor lens):

  • Predominantly workforce renters and families in/around Whiteville and the county’s small-town nodes
  • Rent sensitivity is common at this income level, so property condition + payment-to-income ratios matter when setting rent and screening Census.gov+1

The median age is 41.8 years, older than both the state median of 39.1 years and the national median of 38.5 years. Approximately 22.6% of residents are under 18, while a significant portion of the population is approaching or in retirement age.

Racial Demographics: The county is predominantly White (59.0%), followed by Black or African American (28.6%), Hispanic or Latino (5.5%), and other racial groups comprising the remainder. Approximately 96.7% of residents are U.S. citizens.

Approximately 71.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied, while 28.3% are rental properties. The average household size is approximately 2.6 to 3 members per household.

Educational Attainment: Approximately 46.5% of residents hold a high school degree, while 8.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The county is served by Southeastern Community College, which provides workforce training and education.

Tenant Demographics: Primary tenant profiles include workforce renters employed in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and agriculture sectors, families seeking affordable housing options in southeastern North Carolina, individuals attending Southeastern Community College or working at area facilities, and retirees on fixed incomes requiring low-cost housing. The market also serves a population commuting to Wilmington or other nearby employment centers seeking more affordable living options.

Rental Market & Long-Term Rental Potential

Underwriting benchmarks (HUD Fair Market Rents, FY 2025):

Local “street rent” signals (listing snapshots / market pages):

  • Whiteville average rent (all beds/all property types): Zillow shows about $1,500/mo on its market trends page (use as a directional reference, then verify by comps). Zillow
  • 2BR house examples nearby Whiteville: ~$900–$1,050/mo on Zillow (example listings shown). Zillow
  • 3BR house examples in/near Whiteville/Tabor City/Chadbourn: commonly ~$1,400–$1,800/mo on Zillow (example listings shown). Zillow

Primary Rent Drivers:

  • Manufacturing employment from major employers like International Paper (Riegelwood mill), Barrier Fencing Supply, and Pipeline Plastics
  • Columbus Regional Healthcare System providing healthcare employment
  • Southeastern Community College student and faculty housing demand
  • Agriculture and food processing employment
  • Retail and service sector workers seeking affordable housing
  • Commuters to Wilmington (45 miles) seeking lower-cost housing options
  • Proximity to South Carolina border creating cross-state rental demand
  • Retirees and fixed-income residents requiring affordable options

Common Tenant Profile: The typical renter includes manufacturing and industrial workers, healthcare employees, retail and service workers, community college students and staff, families seeking the lowest-cost housing in the region, and retirees. The rental market serves primarily working-class tenants with lower incomes requiring affordable options.

Rental properties are generally owner-occupied at 58% in Whiteville proper, with renters occupying a significant portion of the housing stock. Properties lease within reasonable timeframes when priced appropriately for the market.

Fix-and-Flip & Value-Add Opportunities

Pricing + liquidity indicators (recent public snapshots):

  • Zillow average home value (county): about $180,596 (Zillow home values page) Zillow
  • Redfin median sale price: $337,000 (Nov 2025) Redfin
  • Days on Market (DOM): Redfin shows homes selling after about 85 days on average (Nov 2025). Redfin

Investor-focused value-add takeaways

  • The spread between “typical value” metrics (e.g., Zillow) and recent median sale prices (Redfin) suggests that move-in-ready retail inventory and renovated homes may command a meaningful premium—but the DOM indicates exits can take time, so flips should be underwritten with realistic holding costs and conservative ARVs. Zillow+1
  • Best-fit strategies often include cosmetic rehab, “light” value-add, and selective distressed buys—especially when you can stay within the resale demand band for the specific submarket.

Underwriting focus

  • Clear entry price points (avoid thin-margin deals in slower-liquidity pockets)
  • Renovation scope matched to comps (don’t over-improve)
  • Exit liquidity by town/neighborhood, not just county averages Redfin+1

Local Economy & Employment Base

Columbus County’s demand fundamentals are supported by a mix of public sector, healthcare, and private industry.

Notable anchors and drivers include:

  • Columbus County Board of Education / schools (identified as a top employer in county-level reporting) NC Rural Center
  • Healthcare: Columbus Regional Healthcare System (CRHS) in Whiteville (licensed for 154 beds) crhealthcare.org+1
  • Higher education / training: Southeastern Community College (serving Columbus County) NCCCS
  • Industry mix: County economic development materials highlight private industry, government, healthcare, and agriculture as major employment pillars, with experience in manufacturing operations. columbusedc.com

These anchors matter to investors because they support baseline rental demand and can improve confidence in resale depth, especially in submarkets closest to employment nodes. NC Rural Center+1

Why Invest in Columbus County?

  • Extremely Affordable Entry Points – Among the lowest median home prices in coastal North Carolina, with median prices around $189K-$230K and distressed properties available under $150K
  • Strong Cash Flow Potential – Low acquisition costs relative to rents can generate positive monthly cash flow for long-term investors
  • Strategic Coastal Proximity – Just 45 miles from Wilmington beaches and 45 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC, offering coastal lifestyle access at inland prices
  • Manufacturing Job Base – Recent major investments including Barrier Fencing (151 jobs) and Pipeline Plastics (44 jobs) creating employment growth
  • Highway Connectivity – Located along US Highway 74/76 corridor with proximity to Interstate 95 and Interstate 40
  • Low Cost of Living – Cost of living index of 80.2, approximately 20% below national average
  • Healthcare Stability – Columbus Regional Healthcare System (154 beds, affiliated with Atrium Health) provides stable healthcare employment
  • Educational Infrastructure – Southeastern Community College creates student housing demand and workforce training capacity
  • Natural Amenities – Lake Waccamaw and Green Swamp Preserve provide quality of life attractions
  • Limited Competition – Less investor activity compared to Wilmington and coastal markets, creating opportunities for diligent investors

Buying or Selling Property in Columbus County?

JND Real Estate Group, LLC works with local and out-of-state investors looking to buy discounted properties in Columbus County, North Carolina. If you are searching for off-market deals, long-term rental properties, or fix-and-flip opportunities, contact us today to learn more.of-state investors looking to buy discounted properties in Lenoir County, North Carolina. If you are searching for off-market deals, long-term rental properties, or fix-and-flip opportunities, contact us today to learn more.

Contact Information:

Janice Shearin – 252-326-1197
Dwight Cox – (919) 944-7248

jdrealestategroup@yahoo.com

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Important Investment Disclosure

The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. All market data, population statistics, rental estimates, pricing information, and other metrics are derived from third-party sources believed to be reliable; however, JND Real Estate Group, LLC makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information. Real estate markets are subject to change, and conditions may vary by property, neighborhood, and time. Investors are strongly encouraged to conduct their own independent due diligence, verify all data independently, and consult with licensed professionals prior to making any investment decision. JND Real Estate Group, LLC assumes no liability for investment decisions made based on the information presented on this website.