Outer Banks, NC
Southern Shores Homes For Sale
A largely residential, maritime-forest town bridging the northern beaches and the Wright Memorial Bridge gateway — home to The Spencer Team's own Keller Williams OBX office.
Incorporated 1969
Established
3,090 year-round
Population
Dare County · Incorporated Town
County
On The Map
Where Southern Shores sits on the Outer Banks.
31 mi
Elizabeth City
as the crow flies
58 mi
Norfolk, VA
as the crow flies
Distances are straight-line (“as the crow flies”), not driving times.
Live Listings
Homes for sale in Southern Shores.
Real-time listings from the MLS, updated around the clock and scoped to Southern Shores, NC.
IDX listings are provided by the Outer Banks Association of Realtors and HIVE MLS. Data is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
A Local's Perspective
Life in Southern Shores.
Southern Shores is a quieter, primarily residential town set among live oaks rather than dense commercial development. Its population has grown steadily from just 395 residents in 1980 to 3,090 at the 2020 Census, spread across older, non-HOA streets near the beach and newer planned communities further inland.
The town sits directly at the Wright Memorial Bridge gateway to the Outer Banks — the first town most visitors reach after crossing from the mainland — and is home to The Spencer Team's own office.
At A Glance
- Established
- Incorporated 1969
- Population
- 3,090 year-round
- County
- Dare County · Incorporated Town
- HOA Norm
- Mixed
Highlights
What defines Southern Shores.
Chicahauk
A roughly 500-lot subdivision set in dune and maritime forest, with its own community parks.
Martin's Point
A gated, soundside community on the Currituck Sound, among the more upscale addresses on the northern beaches.
Gateway location
Southern Shores sits minutes from the Wright Memorial Bridge — the first town reached from the mainland via US-158.
Neighborhoods
Where to look in Southern Shores.
Chicahauk
A roughly 500-lot dune and maritime-forest subdivision with Trinitie and Poteskeet parks.
Martin's Point
A gated, soundside community on the Currituck Sound — among the more upscale addresses on the northern beaches.
Lifestyle
Around Southern Shores.
Southern Shores trades commercial density for quiet, tree-lined streets and easy beach access.
Hillcrest Drive and Chicahauk Trail beach accesses, both with lifeguard stands in season.
Chicahauk's Trinitie and Poteskeet neighborhood parks.
Quick access to Duck's boardwalk and shops just north, or Kitty Hawk's beach road just south.
Schools
Schools serving Southern Shores.
Part of Dare County Schools.
Elementary
- Kitty Hawk Elementary School
Middle School
- First Flight Middle School
High School
- First Flight High School
School attendance zones are address-specific and change over time. Always verify enrollment eligibility directly with the district before making a purchase decision.
HOAs & POAs
Southern Shores HOA norms
Southern Shores mixes HOA-governed subdivisions — Chicahauk, and the gated Martin's Point — with older, non-HOA single-family streets from the town's original 1940s-era platting. Confirm dues and rules on a per-listing basis.
New Construction
Building in Southern Shores
Southern Shores is largely built out; most new activity is infill or rebuilds on existing lots rather than new subdivision development.
Straight Answers
Southern Shores buyer questions, answered.
Is Southern Shores close to the mainland?
Yes — Southern Shores sits just minutes from the Wright Memorial Bridge on US-158, making it the first town most visitors reach coming from the mainland.
Do all Southern Shores homes have an HOA?
No — it's a mix. Chicahauk and the gated Martin's Point are HOA-governed, while much of the town's older core consists of non-HOA single-family streets from its original 1940s-era platting.
What schools serve Southern Shores?
Southern Shores is zoned to Dare County Schools — Kitty Hawk Elementary, First Flight Middle, and First Flight High School.
Make Your Move
Ready to find your Southern Shores home?
Buying or selling in Southern Shores — Sarah and The Spencer Team know it block by block. One call away.