About
Holly Ridge is a small town located inland from Surf City, and well south of MCAS New River and Camp Lejeune. Prior to the military coming to town, the area now known as Holly Ridge had a population of about 30. In 1940, the arrival of Camp Davis, an anti-aircraft artillery training center, prompted the incorporation of Holly Ridge. This mini-boomtown flourished in the shadow of Camp Davis. However, eight years later the base was deactivated, and Holly Ridge’s growth slowed significantly.
Today, Holly Ridge is known as the “Gateway to Topsail Island,” and is an affluent bedroom community. It lies at the intersection of the coastal lifeline, Highway 17, and Ocean Road which connects the beach to the mainland. There are several small businesses and a few restaurants. Most residents travel to nearby Surf City for more dining choices, Walmart, and grocery shopping. Families who choose Holly Ridge are okay with commuting (20 to 30 minutes to MCAS New River and Stone Bay on Camp Lejeune), love the schools (Pender County Schools), and don’t mind being away from it all.
Neighbors
Even though it’s a bit farther from the bases, Holly Ridge is still a military town. You’ll find mostly families and some retirees in this primarily residential area. Living in Holly Ridge places you roughly halfway between Camp Lejeune and Wilmington, which offers entertainment and employment opportunities aplenty.
Neighborhood Feel
Holly Ridge is where you’ll find the area’s “mega-neighborhoods”—where one neighborhood, with shared amenities, breaks into smaller sections based on home size, style, and price point. Near the entrance, you’ll find the smaller condos and starter homes, and the farther back you wind into the neighborhood, the larger and grander the houses become. For the most part, homes in this area are relatively new and expensive. Beyond the new, “cookie-cutter” neighborhoods, there are a few older homes, although they are much harder to acquire.
