Moving to Navassa, NC: Living in Navassa Guide

Navassa is a small river town on the west bank of the Cape Fear, where the Brunswick and Northeast Cape Fear rivers come together just across the water from Wilmington. It has deep roots: rice plantations once lined these rivers, the town has strong ties to Gullah Geechee heritage, and for decades its fertilizer plants employed thousands of people. Today Navassa is growing again, with new homes going up thanks to the I-140 interchange, city water and new sewer lines, while the town works to keep its close-knit character.

It suits commuters who want to be about 6 miles from downtown Wilmington, first-time buyers looking for more affordable prices than the rest of northern Brunswick County, and anyone who likes being near the water without beach-town prices. Our Navassa movers work the Leland and Navassa area every week.

Planning a move to Navassa? Call our NC & SC team at 910-758-0081 or get your price online.

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Where Is Navassa, NC?

Navassa sits in northeastern Brunswick County on the west bank at the junction of the Brunswick and Northeast Cape Fear rivers, about 5 miles west of Wilmington according to the town. Leland borders the town, and Interstate 140, the Wilmington bypass, has an interchange serving Navassa. The Town Hall is on Main Street.

Geography has always shaped the town. Before cars, freight moving between Wilmington’s port and inland farms had to cross two rivers, and in 1867 a railroad bridge was built across the Cape Fear River from Navassa, linking Wilmington by rail with Charlotte and the interior of South Carolina. That rail access is what brought the fertilizer plants, and later the town itself. The area is also ecologically rich, with about 50 habitat types supporting some 300 species of plants and animals. Navassa has also been designated a North Carolina “Governor’s Community of Excellence,” and the town continues to plan for growth while protecting that river setting.

Road distances from Navassa, measured with OpenStreetMap routing:

Leland: about 5 miles
Downtown Wilmington: about 6 miles
Wilmington International Airport (ILM): about 13 miles
Southport: about 28 miles
Calabash: about 47 miles
Myrtle Beach, SC: about 74 miles
Fayetteville: about 87 miles
Raleigh: about 131 miles
Charlotte: about 196 miles

Wilmington International is the closest commercial airport. For shopping, most residents use Leland or head across the river to Wilmington.

Navassa Population & Demographics

Navassa counted 1,367 residents in the 2020 Census, down from 1,505 in 2010. Since then, new construction has changed the picture: the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates about 2,039 residents, although with a margin of error of plus or minus 486. Navassa is much younger than most of Brunswick County, with a median age of 33.5 compared with 56.4 countywide, and most homes are owner-occupied.

Measure (2020–2024 ACS unless noted)	Navassa	Brunswick County	North Carolina
Population, 2020 Census	1,367	—	—
Population (ACS estimate)	2,039	152,568	10,730,404
Median age	33.5	56.4	39.1
Median household income	$62,000	$77,024	$72,388
Bachelor’s degree or higher, age 25+	16.7%	34.7%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	78.5%	84.6%	66.6%
Median home value	$187,100	$349,800	$288,900
Median gross rent	$1,313	$1,351	$1,228

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 and 2020 Census (via Wikipedia) and American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (via Census Reporter). Estimates for a small, fast-changing town carry wide margins of error; the median income is plus or minus about $9,000.

Is Navassa Safe?

Navassa has its own police department, run by the town, along with the Navassa Volunteer Fire Department (Station 19) on Main Street. We have not found a recent, reliable town-level crime rate that we would be comfortable quoting. For current information about a specific street, contact the Navassa Police Department through Town Hall on Main Street, and check the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office for countywide resources. As with any move, visit the neighborhood at different times of day and talk to a few neighbors.

Cost of Living in Navassa

Navassa is one of the more affordable places to buy near Wilmington, although prices have risen as new subdivisions have filled in.

Home Prices

Zillow’s Home Value Index for Navassa was about $286,500 in August 2026, up about 2.6% from a year earlier. That is well below neighboring Leland (about $384,400), Brunswick County (about $404,800) and the Wilmington metro area (about $445,300), and a bit below North Carolina as a whole (about $334,800). The Census Bureau’s survey-based median home value is lower, at $187,100 (2020–2024 ACS), because it is based on survey responses collected over five years and includes the town’s older homes.

Rent

The ACS median gross rent in Navassa is $1,313 (margin of error about $235). Zillow does not publish a rent index for Navassa itself, but its Observed Rent Index for neighboring Leland was about $1,654 a month in August 2026, and the Wilmington metro area was about $1,734, up roughly 4.5% from a year earlier.

Best Neighborhoods in Navassa

Navassa is a small town without the big branded master-planned communities you find in Leland, so it helps to think about it in three parts.

The Historic Town Core

The streets around Main Street hold Town Hall, the fire station and many of the families whose roots here go back generations. Homes are older and more varied than in the new subdivisions. It suits buyers who want a real small-town feel and don’t mind an older home that may need some updating.

Newer Subdivisions

Since the I-140 interchange opened and water and sewer lines were extended, new single-family subdivisions have been built in and around town. These offer new construction in a town whose typical home value runs well below Leland’s, with quick access to I-140 for commuting. They suit young families and first-time buyers. Check whether a specific neighborhood has an HOA and what it covers.

Near the Rivers and Davis Creek

Navassa sits on the Brunswick and Cape Fear rivers, and the town maintains a boat ramp at Davis Creek Park. Homes near the river and creeks suit anglers, paddlers and anyone who wants marsh views. Always check the flood zone and insurance cost for any lower-lying lot before you buy.

Weather & Climate

Wilmington International Airport, about 13 miles away, has the nearest full weather station. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals there show:

January: average high 57.2°F, low 36.3°F
July: average high 90.0°F, low 73.0°F
Annual precipitation: about 60 inches, with August (8.16 inches) and September (8.69 inches) the wettest months
Annual snowfall: 0.9 inches on average

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and the town publishes hurricane preparation, evacuation and shelter resources on its website. NOAA notes most storms come from August through October. The most comfortable months to move are October, November, March, April and May. Summer moves are fine if you start early to beat the heat and the afternoon storms.

Things to Do in Navassa

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park, at 2726 Cedar Hill Road, is the town’s main park, and the town was taking bids in 2026 to add public restrooms. Navassa’s Parks and Recreation Committee was also surveying residents in 2026 about future parks and programs, so new arrivals have a real chance to weigh in.

Davis Creek Park

Davis Creek Park has the town’s boat ramp and is the easiest way to get a small boat or kayak onto local waters. The town requested bids in 2026 to repair the ramp, so check its status before you haul a boat over.

Navassa History and Heritage

Navassa’s story is worth learning. The town is named for Navassa Island in the Caribbean, the source of the guano that the Navassa Guano Factory began turning into fertilizer in 1869. Armour, Royster and Smith-Douglas fertilizer plants followed, and together the four plants employed more than 4,000 people. Navassa is also part of the Gullah Geechee story; many residents descend from people enslaved on the rice plantations of the Cape Fear River valley, and when Congress created the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor in 2006, the mayor of Navassa served as vice-chairman of its executive committee.

Battleship North Carolina

Across the river from downtown Wilmington, the USS North Carolina has been a memorial since 1962 to the more than 11,000 North Carolinians who died in World War II. It is one of the state’s most-visited attractions, with nearly 250,000 visitors a year as of 2022.

Downtown Wilmington

About 6 miles away, downtown Wilmington’s riverfront, historic streets, restaurants and events are a big reason people choose Navassa. It is close enough for a spur-of-the-moment dinner.

Town Events

The Navassa Parade and the town’s community center, which can be rented for gatherings, are part of what keeps Navassa close-knit. Mayor Rose Terry has also hosted “Let’s Talk Monday” open sessions, running from mid-September through late November 2026, where residents can stop by to share ideas and ask questions. For a town that had only two mayors in its first four decades (Louis A. Brown from 1977 to 1999, then Eulis A. Willis), that kind of open door is a big part of the local culture.

Where to Eat in Navassa

Navassa has almost no restaurants of its own, so locals eat in nearby Leland or across the river in Wilmington.

Shirley’s Diner (Village Road, Leland)

A community cafe on Village Road NE in Leland serving seafood and Southern sides. It is the kind of place where regulars know each other.

Brodee Dogs Brew House (Village Road, Leland)

A casual hot dog and burger spot a few doors down on Village Road NE with a strong local following. Easy, quick and good for a crew lunch.

Front Street Brewery (Downtown Wilmington)

Open since 1995 at 9 North Front Street, this brewpub serves house-brewed beer, a big bourbon list and a full menu of fish, barbecue, burgers and seafood. It is about 6 miles from Navassa.

Jobs & Economy

Navassa was once an industrial town. Its four fertilizer plants, starting with the Navassa Guano Factory in 1869 and followed by Armour (1919), Royster (1927) and Smith-Douglas (1946), employed more than 4,000 people before they closed. Today most working Navassa residents commute, and the town’s location is its biggest economic asset. Downtown Wilmington is about 6 miles away, so the full Wilmington job market is within a short drive. In Brunswick County, the NC Rural Center lists the Brunswick County Board of Education as the largest employer (1,000+ workers in 2023) and retail trade as the largest industry by employment. Brunswick County’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in 2023. Navassa’s own economy is changing too, as new residential and commercial projects follow the I-140 interchange and new utilities.

Schools in Navassa

Navassa is served by Brunswick County Schools, which had 13,561 students in 20 schools in 2024–25, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The district’s northern schools, including Belville and Lincoln elementary schools, Leland Middle School and North Brunswick High School, are located in Leland. School assignments depend on your exact address, so confirm with the district. Brunswick Community College has a Leland Center on Enterprise Boulevard, and UNC Wilmington is across the river in Wilmington.

Navassa Quick Facts

County	Brunswick County
Incorporated	March 18, 1977
ZIP code	28451
Area codes	910, 472
Area	About 13.8 square miles (13.3 land)
Population	1,367 (2020 Census); about 2,039 (2020–2024 ACS)
Main highway	Interstate 140
Nearest airport	Wilmington International (ILM), about 13 miles
Police	Navassa Police Department
Fire	Navassa Volunteer Fire Department, Station 19
Town Hall	338 Main Street

Moving to Navassa: Tips From Our Crew

Time your trip across the river. If you are moving from Wilmington, the river crossings back up at rush hour. Plan to load in Wilmington early in the morning and cross before the evening commute.
Use I-140 for trucks. For long-distance moves coming in from I-40 or Raleigh, I-140 brings the truck around Wilmington without city traffic and puts you close to town.
Ask about HOA rules in new subdivisions. Some newer neighborhoods have rules about truck parking, pods and move-in hours. Check with the HOA first. If they want a certificate of insurance, we send it for free.
Watch soft shoulders and new construction. In neighborhoods that are still building out, streets can be busy with contractor trucks and some lots have unfinished yards. We walk the route before we back a truck in.
Plan for hurricane season. Navassa sits on two rivers, and the town posts evacuation and shelter information. If you are moving from August through October, keep a backup date. We never charge a rescheduling fee.
Get your utilities lined up early. Water and sewer service have been expanding in Navassa, so confirm which provider serves your address and schedule start dates a week or two before you move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Navassa

How much does it cost to hire movers in Navassa?

It depends on the size of your home, the distance, how much packing you need and the time of year. A short move from Leland is very different from a long-distance move from out of state. Call our NC & SC office at 910-758-0081 or request a free quote online; an owner calls you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Navassa part of Leland or Wilmington?

Neither. Navassa is its own incorporated town, established in 1977, in Brunswick County. Leland borders it, and Wilmington, in New Hanover County, is about 6 miles away across the Cape Fear River. Navassa shares the 28451 ZIP code with Leland.

How far is Navassa from the beach?

Navassa is a river town, not a beach town. Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach are reached through Wilmington, and the Brunswick County beaches, like Oak Island, are farther south; Southport is about 28 miles away by road.

Is Navassa growing?

Yes. The 2020 Census counted 1,367 people, and the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 survey estimates about 2,039, a big jump for a town of its size even allowing for the survey’s margin of error. The town credits the I-140 interchange, a new wastewater plant, city water and sewer lines for the recent wave of residential and commercial development.

When is the best time to move to Navassa?

Spring and fall are the most comfortable. Summer is the busiest season, so book a few weeks ahead and start early in the day. In peak hurricane months, August through October, keep a backup date in mind.

Move to Navassa With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our NC & SC office serves all of Brunswick County. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center; if anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. We handle local moves from Wilmington and Leland, military moves with 5% off, and long-distance moves with a binding estimate and your own dedicated truck.

Call 910-758-0081 or visit our Navassa moving page to get started.

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