Hampstead, North Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Hampstead, North Carolina
settlement_type = Town

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_name2 = Pender

population_as_of = 2000
population_total = 11594

timezone_DST = EDT
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 28443
area_code = 910

Hampstead is an unincorporated community in Pender County, North Carolina, United States. It is located between Wilmington and Jacksonville on U.S. Route 17. It is known as the "seafood capital of the Carolinas".

Schools

There are two elementary schools, North and South Topsail Elementary. Plans for a third, named Central Topsail Elementary, have been approved. There is one middle school named Topsail Middle School and one high school, Topsail High School, which is located right next to Topsail Middle and within walking distance of the Hampstead Branch Library. A new Topsail High School is currently under construction.

Golfing

Hampstead is well known for the golfing amenities that it offers. In comparison with other areas of North Carolina such as Myrtle Beach or Brunskwick County, the greens remain quite affordable. The area has four golf courses. Topsail Greens offers budget golfing, and mid-range golf courses are in Olde Point Golf and Country Club in Castle Bay. Belvedere Plantation is another popular golfing destination. Hampstead is unique in that all the golf courses are surrounded by different housing sub-divisions or communities. The atmosphere of such housing developments is enjoyed by golfers and non golfers alike. The housing available in said communities varies greatly. Topsail Greens offers the mobile home style of housing while Olde Point is well known for its large million dollar homes.

Public services

The Hampstead area is served by two volunteer fire departments: Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department and Sloop Point Volunteer Fire Department. Hampstead also has the Topsail Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Hampstead is also served by Pender EMS for medical emergencies and the Pender County Sheriff’s Department.

Expansion

Pender County is presently developing and expanding its county water system for the Hampstead area and is planning to add a sewer system in the future. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has proposed a bypass around Hampstead that ties in to the new I-140 bypass around Wilmington to the south and west.

The Hampstead area has also upgraded Highway 17 to a four-lane road, to reduce traffic problems as the area grows larger.

Community

Every year, there are events where Hampstead comes together such as the Spot Festival, the Relay For Life and the Hampstead Expo. The Spot Festival is a long-held tradition that celebrates one of the most abundant and favorite fish found in the area. The Relay For Life is a walkathon sponsored by local groups to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The Hampstead Expo is an event sponsored by the Greater Hampstead Chamber of Commerce that brings local businesses together with the people of the community, encouraging local people to support their local businesses.

See also

*Topsail High School
*Topsail Island
*North Topsail Beach, North Carolina

External links

* [http://hampsteadchamber.com/ Hampstead Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.hampsteadkiwanispark.com/ Hampstead Kiwanis Park]
* [http://www.topsail-island.info/ Topsail Island News, Real Estate & Events]
* [http://www.city-data.com/zips/28443.html/ City-Data Information about Hampstead Area]