Atkinson, NC

Tucked away in western Pender County, Atkinson grew up around the railroad at the turn of the twentieth century. While the trains on the Wilmington-to-Fayetteville line stopped running long ago, the old rail corridor and original depot still anchor the center of town. Because it was carefully mapped out from the start, Atkinson has a neat, easy-to-navigate grid of quiet residential streets, shady yards, and historic homes.

The town also has deep roots in North Carolina blueberry farming, thanks to early growers like the Coville family whose historic homestead still sits near the old tracks. Everyday life centers around a welcoming collection of local spots, including the library, community park, and town ball fields. Neighbors regularly come together throughout the year for hometown traditions like the Christmas parade, Halloween trunk-or-treat, and volunteer fire department barbecue fundraisers.