Thinking about Hyde County?
Straight answers to the 10 questions buyers ask most
Ferries, flood insurance, taxes, the hospital, storm re-entry and USDA loans. Sourced and dated. Free 3-page PDF.
Silver Lake harbor, Ocracoke
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What's in the Hyde County FAQ
The questions buyers type into Google before they ever call an agent, answered from county, state and federal sources, with dates.
- How do I get to Ocracoke, and how long is the ferry?In the free PDF
- Can you live on Ocracoke year round, and how many people do?In the free PDF
- What is the property tax rate in Hyde County?In the free PDF
- Does Hyde County flood, and will I need flood insurance?In the free PDF
- Is there a hospital in Hyde County?In the free PDF
- What public schools serve Hyde County?In the free PDF
- What is there to do in Hyde County?In the free PDF
- Who provides electricity and water in Hyde County?In the free PDF
- Do Ocracoke owners need a re-entry permit after a storm?In the free PDF
- What do homes cost in Hyde County, and is USDA financing available?In the free PDF
Free 3-page PDF · Hyde County
Thinking about Hyde County? Straight answers to the 10 questions buyers ask most.
Ferries, flood insurance, taxes, the hospital, storm re-entry and USDA loans. Sourced and dated. Free 3-page PDF.
It's on its way
We're emailing the Hyde County FAQ to you. If it isn't there in a few minutes, check Promotions or Spam.
Can't wait? Open the FAQ nowTalk it through: book 15 minutesOr call or text Travis: (252) 202-4945
What's inside
27 sources, from the county offices to state and federal agencies, each checked October 25, 2026.
- How do I get to Ocracoke, and how long is the ferry?p. 1
- Can you live on Ocracoke year round, and how many people do?p. 1
- What is the property tax rate in Hyde County?p. 1
- Does Hyde County flood, and will I need flood insurance?p. 1
- Is there a hospital in Hyde County?p. 2
- What public schools serve Hyde County?p. 2
- What is there to do in Hyde County?p. 2
- Who provides electricity and water in Hyde County?p. 2
- Do Ocracoke owners need a re-entry permit after a storm?p. 2
- What do homes cost in Hyde County, and is USDA financing available?p. 2
How do I get to Ocracoke, and how long is the ferry?
Vehicles reach Ocracoke on state ferries. NCDOT's 2026 schedule lists the Swan Quarter route at 2 hours 40 minutes and the Cedar Island route at 2 hours 15 minutes, both tolled with reservations recommended, and the free Hatteras route at 70 minutes.
Continued in the FAQ, with the source and the date it was checkedHyde County, North Carolina
10 questions, answered with sources
Thinking about Hyde County? Straight answers to the questions buyers ask most.
Ferries, flood insurance, taxes, the hospital, storm re-entry and USDA loans. Sourced and dated. Free 3-page PDF.
It's on its way
We're emailing the Hyde County FAQ to you. If it isn't there in a few minutes, check Promotions or Spam.
Can't wait? Open the FAQ nowTalk it through: book 15 minutesOr call or text Travis: (252) 202-4945
Can you live on Ocracoke year round, and how many people do?
Yes. The 2020 Census counted 797 people and 966 housing units in the Ocracoke census area, and 4,589 people in all of Hyde County. The Census Bureau estimates Hyde County at 4,554 people on July 1, 2025. Ocracoke has its own public school, Ocracoke School, and a community health center open weekdays.
Sources: tigerweb.geo.census.gov, www2.census.gov, hyde.k12.nc.us, ocracokehealthcenter.org. Checked October 25, 2026.
Inside the field guide
27 sources, checked October 25, 2026.
- How do I get to Ocracoke, and how long is the ferry?
- Can you live on Ocracoke year round, and how many people do?
- What is the property tax rate in Hyde County?
- Does Hyde County flood, and will I need flood insurance?
- Is there a hospital in Hyde County?
- What public schools serve Hyde County?
- What is there to do in Hyde County?
- Who provides electricity and water in Hyde County?
- Do Ocracoke owners need a re-entry permit after a storm?
- What do homes cost in Hyde County, and is USDA financing available?
Travis Old, Horizon Realty Group
Broker and NC real estate instructor. Ask a question about any answer in the FAQ and you'll get a straight reply from Travis, not a call center.