Regions
North Carolina’s four land regions are the Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plains.
Agriculture
Agriculture continues to be an important industry in North Carolina, generating $10.1 billion in revenues for the Tar Heel State. There are approximately 52,000 farms in the state, covering 8.5 million acres. The average size farm comprises 168 acres. Agriculture makes a significant contribution to all 100 counties.
North Carolina’s most valuable crops are sweet potatoes, corn, and peanuts. The state also grows substantial quantities of tobacco, soybeans, and cotton. Most of the cropland is found in the southeastern (Coastal Plains) region of the state.
Wildlife
North Carolina wildlife is abundant within the state on both land and water. The dense vegetation, ample rainfall, and forage make it a wildlife mecca for land animals and fisheries alike. Its primary wildlife includes black bears, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer.
The combination of both freshwater and saltwater creates a diverse ecosystem for many fish species, including black bass, crappie, catfish, blue gill, and perch. The primary saltwater species include spotted seatrout, blue fish, king mackerel, flounder, red drum, and dolphin (mahi).
Major Rivers and Lakes
North Carolina’s four longest rivers are the Roanoke River, New River, Neuse River, and Pee-Dee River. Their main tributaries include the Big Otter River, Falling River, and Dan River.
Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest natural lake in North Carolina, is located in Hyde County, North Carolina on the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. The surface area of this lake is approximately 30,000 acres (46.8 square miles). Other significant lakes include Scuppernong Lake (16,600 acres), Lake Waccamaw (8,938 acres), and Alligator Lake (6,000 acres).
State and National Parks
North Carolina has 41 state parks and 12 national parks.
National Parks:
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore
- Cape Lookout National Seashore
- Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
- Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
- Wright Brothers National Memorial
| State Summary | |
| Nickname | Tar Heel State |
| Neighboring States | Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina |
| Regions | Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plains |
| State Flower | Flowering Dogwood |
| State Bird | Cardinal |
| Big Game | Black bears, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer |
| Small Game | Armadillo, Beaver, and Coyote |
| Freshwater Fish | Black bass, crappie, catfish, blue gill, and perch |
| Saltwater Fish | Spotted seatrout, blue fish, king mackerel, flounder, red drum, and dolphin (mahi) |
| Hunting Information | https://www.ncwildlife.org/hunting/hunting-in-north-carolina |
| Total Acreage | 34.4 million |
| Total Public Land Acreage | 5 million |
| Average Annual Rainfall | 48 inches |
| Farmland by Acreage | 8.4 million |
| Woodlands by Acreage | 18.1 million |
| Coastline | 322 miles |
| Conservation Program | https://www.ncwildlife.org/conserving/programs |
| Primary Crops | Sweet potatoes, corn, and peanuts |
| Largest Lake | Lake Mattamuskeet |
| Other Lakes | Rathbun Lake, Saylorville Lake, and Big Spirit Lake |
| Major Rivers | Roanoke River, New River, Neuse River, and Yadkin Pee-Dee River |
| Other Tributaries | Big Otter River, Falling River, and Dan River |
Our Rural Real Estate Offices
Mossy Oak Properties North Carolina began with the goal of becoming a trusted resource for folks looking to buy or sell rural land for sale in North Carolina. Our land brokers and agents understand what people are looking for in rural property because we share the same lifestyle and love for the land as you do. We understand the importance of honor and integrity and that buying or selling land is an emotional and life-changing experience for consumers.
Only Mossy Oak Properties North Carolina can provide the powerful combination of brand strength, local expertise, quality service, and national exposure. Whether you want to buy or sell rural real estate, a Mossy Oak Properties land specialist is a must-have on your team.
Find a North Carolina land real estate agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What regions of North Carolina offer the best rural land opportunities?
North Carolina has three very different regions when it comes to buying land. The western mountains offer beautiful views valuable timber and massive demand from retirees. Land prices in popular mountain areas like Watauga Avery and McDowell counties are fairly high.
The central Piedmont region sees massive building pressure near Charlotte Greensboro and the Raleigh area. The eastern Coastal Plain offers great farm dirt timber and duck hunting at the absolute cheapest prices in the state. The eastern coastal counties offer incredible duck and deer hunting along major rivers like the Roanoke Tar Neuse and Cape Fear.
What are typical land prices across North Carolina regions?
According to the 2025 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report the average cropland value in North Carolina is $6,050 per acre. Because of this eastern Coastal Plain farmland in Bertie Martin and Northampton counties usually runs $5,000 to $8,000 per acre for productive bottomland.
Eastern Coastal Plain timberland and hunting land runs $1,500 to $3,500 per acre. Mountain county land in Watauga Avery and Mitchell counties runs $3,000 to $8,000 per acre for wooded residential and recreational parcels.
Piedmont farm and residential land near Charlotte runs $5,000 to $15,000 per acre or more driven by heavy building pressure. North Carolina land prices span a wide range that perfectly reflects the very different buyers looking in each region.
What property taxes should North Carolina rural landowners expect?
According to the 2026 North Carolina Department of Revenue rules the Present Use Value program allows farm and forest land to be taxed at its farming value rather than its full market value which massively reduces annual taxes on working rural land.
The program requires you to apply with the county tax office and the land must actually be used for farming or timber. If you change how the land is used or sell it to a developer you have to pay a rollback tax covering the previous three years plus interest.
North Carolina overall property tax burden is fair compared to nearby states. The Present Use Value program is the absolute best way to keep property taxes low on rural farm and timber land in the state.
