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A Residential Building Boom Is Taking Place in Johnston County

Flowers Plantation in Clayton, a planned community on 3,000 acres, will eventually have 8,000 homes.

Growth is no stranger to Johnston County. Much of this rural county’s history has been written by its economic anchor – farming. And even with the area’s decline in agricultural production‚ it continues to be home to more farms than any other North Carolina county.

But the past 20 years have brought changes to Johnston County. It has become the fastest-growing county in the state; its modest population of 66‚000 in 1958 has expanded to what county officials predict will be 160‚000 by 2010. Yet‚ the popularity the county currently enjoys stems from those same wholesome roots cultivated by industrious farm families.

Come One‚ Come All

County officials attribute the surge of newcomers to many factors – primarily location‚ location‚ location. As the neighborhoods of the Research Triangle become more populated‚ residents are slipping below Raleigh’s crowded radar screen to Johnston County’s less hectic lifestyle while still enjoying the metropolitan amenities of the Triangle.

Also propelling the county’s growth is its strategic location at the crossroads of Interstates 95 and 40‚ both major north-south and east-west arteries.

“It doesn’t hurt that we are also only an hour and a half from the beach‚” adds Joey Millard-Edwards of Carolina Realty.

Others are discovering the gracious appeal of Johnston County‚ too. Floridians and New Yorkers are moving to the area to purchase much more residential bang for their buck.

“They can get affordable housing with all the bells and whistles‚” Millard-Edwards says. “They know we have high-quality builders that add a lot of amenities.”

Rebecca Riley of RealCorp & Development Inc. agrees.

“We are seeing a lot of commercial growth‚ and you have to have rooftops to have commercial growth‚” Riley says.

For instance‚ food service giant Sysco Corp. is bringing 600 jobs to the county and investing $37 million here.

In addition‚ the county’s schools are highly rated due to outstanding teachers and high test scores. Even the area’s mild climate provides a hospitable salutation.

“You just couldn’t ask for a better location‚” Millard-Edwards adds.

Blossoming Flowers

Take‚ for example‚ Flowers Plantation‚ an ambitious planned community a couple miles from the town of Clayton and some 20 miles from Raleigh.

Its pastoral setting spreads over more than 3‚000 acres‚ offering a quiet yet convenient respite from the congestion of Wake County.

Once completed‚ 8‚000 homes of varying sizes and price levels will be built in exclusive communities such as Mill Creek West‚ North Farm‚ North Farm Cottages‚ Plantation Pointe‚ The Townes @ The Village‚ Walker Woods and Watson’s Mill.

Many of the development’s amenities – including a country club‚ shopping‚ cafés‚ day care‚ a swimming pool‚ tennis courts and two schools – are within walking distance.

Newcomers to Clayton‚ the county’s second-largest town‚ are also impressed with Riverwood‚ a “new traditional” neighborhood featuring townhomes and single-family houses ranging from $90‚000 to the $400‚000s. Amenities include a 27-hole golf course‚ a swimming pool and athletic facilities.

Lakeside Living

Smithfield‚ the county seat‚ has introduced a new‚ private neighborhood near Holt Lake‚ appropriately named Lakeside.

In addition to its greatest amenity – water-related recreation – the area has not forgotten a single detail with its elegant homes‚ wooded lots and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

Communities include Berry Downs‚ British Court‚ Cyprus Point‚ Holt Lake South‚ Hunting Ridge‚ Lakeside and Lake Park Villas.

In contrast‚ Smithfield’s quintes-sentially Southern homes are also popular purchases for those who prefer the turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival houses‚ cottages and bungalows.

Story by Mary Best
Photo by Ian Curcio

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