Your Albemarle, NC Real Estate Questions Answered

There’s a lot on your plate when you’re considering moving to a new town. Those moving to Albemarle, NC, probably have many questions about the local real estate market.
This small town northeast of Charlotte and near the Pee Dee River has much to offer for someone looking for a laid-back lifestyle. Albemarle is a destination for outdoor recreation, with visitors using it as a jumping-off point for the Uwharrie Lakes region. But why not live where others come to vacation? Learn about buying a home in Albemarle and what to expect from becoming part of its community.
What to know about living in Albemarle, NC
Albemarle is a great place to live for those who love the outdoors. The cost of living is reasonable, coming in at 19% under the national average and 10% under the National Carolina average. Most categories were under the national indexed cost of living expenditures. Housing was particularly affordable, coming in at 53% below the national expenditure. Only utility costs exceeded the national average, and only by 1%.
The county’s largest employer is the Stanly County School system, which oversees local public schools. It’s a smaller district serving just 8,500 students across 24 schools in the county.
Albemarle is also centrally located in the state, so you can quickly get to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Greensboro. Highway 27 will take you into Uptown Charlotte, while Highway 52 runs north to Salisbury. There are no major interstates in Stanly County.
The weather in Albemarle is typical for inland North Carolina – hot and humid summers and mild winters. May, September, and October are the most pleasant months in terms of weather.
What county is Albemarle, NC, in?
Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County. This central region of rolling hills and small towns is near popular outdoor recreation areas like Badin Lake, Morrow Mountain State Park, and the Uwharrie National Forest. The many parks, lakes, and rivers draw people seeking outdoor adventures and relaxing getaways near the Charlotte metro.
Most of Stanly County is considered rural, with farmlands and nature preserves dominating the landscape. In between the farm silos and oak trees are small towns like Stanfield, Locust, Red Cross, and Norward.
Several golf courses and country clubs are in the area, providing residents with more recreation and sports options.
Besides soybean and corn, the rolling countryside is ripe for wine production, and Stanly County has several vineyards and wineries. Albemarle also has a historic downtown district with local boutique shops and restaurants. It is home to the Stanly County Museum, which exhibits its history, culture, and art.
Is Albemarle, NC, growing?
Yes, Albemarle is growing but in a measured way that preserves its sense of community. The population increased by 3% from 2010 to 2020. The slow and steady pace matches the growth of Stanly County, which grew by the same amount. As of 2023, about 17,000 people lived in Albemarle. The average age of an Albemarle resident was 39 years old in 2020.
What is the average price of a home in Albemarle, NC?
Explore Albemarle’s various housing options, from the historic downtown home to a rural homestead. The median home price in Albemarle was $299,000 in November 2024, with 275 homes on the market. Home prices were consistent this the same time last year.
This number can fluctuate depending on the type of home you’re looking for and the current state of the real estate market. However, this price is a good starting point when considering your budget for a home in Albemarle.
Albemarle list prices ranged from $18,000 for a vacant residential lot to $1.3 million for a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 4,237 sq ft home on 0.34 acres and the Pee Dee River.
Looking out across Stanly County, real estate market prices were relatively stable as of November 2024, returning to the start of January 2023. While property values and prices rose during the pandemic years, in most years, local housing prices appreciated incrementally. For the year-to-date ending September 2024, median home prices were up just 1.6%.
Are there any condos or townhomes available in Albemarle, NC?
Few condos and townhomes are available in Albemarle. The majority of the housing options in this town are single-family homes. In November 2024, just nine properties fit the townhome and condo housing type. However, most of them were new construction. If you’re interested in a condo or townhome, we recommend contacting a local real estate agent to learn more about your options.
What is the property tax rate for Albemarle, NC?
Albemarle’s property taxes were $0.61 per $100 of valuation in 2024-2025, a rate that the county maintained for several preceding year. Stanly County also charged $0.61. This means that a home with an assessed value of $250,000 would have annual property taxes of just over $3,050. In addition, the solid waste fee was $97.00. Albemarle also has a municipal service district assessment of $0.10.
Stanly County properties were last valued in 2021 and will be revalued in 2025.
As for property tax exemptions, the elderly/disabled resident exclusion in 2025 was $37,900. The Circuit breaker exclusion was $56,850.
What neighborhoods are in Albemarle, NC?
Being a small town, Albemarle’s notable neighborhoods are close to the city center. When moving to Albemarle, NC, some areas to check out homes include:
Historic Downtown Albemarle, a classic Main Street area with shops, restaurants, and local businesses, now operating from old grain silos, opera houses, and brick row houses.
Woodcrest homes range in age and size, having been developed as far back east the 1960s. Most homes are three to four bedrooms. It is zoned for the highly-rated New London Choice Middle School.
Ashley Heights in north Albemarle is near Town Creek and Woodcrest. Homes were developed in the 1990s, and lots sizes vary from small to up to three acres. Most home sizes are 1700 to 2100 sq ft.
Windsor Hills is an established single-family home community in south Albemarle with homes developed in the 1970s. Most homes are around 1,300 to 1,700 sq ft in size.
Morgan Hills is a new construction community in south Albemarle with two-story homes near Hwy 24.
Parkwest is a newer construction neighborhood with ranch and two-story homes. It is located between two highways, Hwy 24/27 & Hwy 73, close to Long Lake.
Are there any waterfront properties found in Albemarle, NC?
Some waterfront homes are in Albemarle, but they are few and far between. Even though the maps show creeks like Poplin Creek and Rock Creek, these are typically low-running drainage watersheds. Most of the waterfront is a park or commercial land. The majority of the town’s homes are not on the water.
If you’re interested in a waterfront property, your best bet is to look outside the city limits and into the general Albemarle area. You’ll find beautiful homes on Lake Tillery, the Pee Dee River, and other branches. These homes are perfect getaway retreats to live full-time or to have a vacation home.
We recommend contacting a local real estate agent to learn more about your waterfront living options.
How is golf in Albemarle, NC?
Albemarle does not have golf courses inside the city limits. You’ll need to travel across the Pee Dee River or to Norwood for golfing. Piney Point, Old State North, and Tillery Tradition are the closest courses.
What areas are near Albemarle, NC?
Albemarle is centrally located near Badin Lake, Morrow Mountain State Park, and the Uwharrie National Forest. It is also a short drive to Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro. Depending on traffic, it is 41 miles or about an hour to drive from downtown Albemarle to Uptown Charlotte.
The Uwharrie National Forest across the Pee Dee River may be the smallest of North Carolina’s national forests, but it’s still 51,000 acres of natural land. Escape into densely forested woods for their scenery, hiking, camping, fishing, and more.
Morrow Mountain State Park overlooks the Uwharrie National Forest and the Pee Dee River. It has hiking, camping, horseback riding, and picnicking.
Badin Lake is a short drive northeast of Albemarle. The closest boat ramp and swimming area is Badin Water Park, which is six miles away. The blue waters are excellent for fishing, swimming, boating, and paddleboarding.
Nearby towns include Badin, Norwood, New London, and Stanfield. All are rural small towns with a long history in North Carolina, usually tied to the early gold rush.
To the east awaits the Charlotte metro and its suburbs, like Midland and Mint Hill. Albemarle is an easy day trip to the city’s attractions, like its museums, music venues, and professional sporting events.
Buying a Home in Albemarle
If you’re considering moving to Albemarle, NC, we recommend contacting a local real estate agent to learn more about the area and the current housing market. They can help you find the perfect home for your needs.
Updated November 2024