The county seat is Burgaw, a small town of about 3,000 residents that serves as the government and commercial center. The largest community is Topsail Beach / Surf City area (Surf City is partly in Onslow County), but the biggest population concentration is in the Hampstead and Rocky Point areas along US 17.

Other key towns and communities include:

• Burgaw – county seat, ~3,000
• Topsail Beach – small beach town, ~400 residents
• Atkinson – tiny town of ~300
• St. Helena – small community of ~400
• Watha – very small, ~200

The total population of Pender County is approximately 65,000. Most residents live in unincorporated areas, especially along the US 17 corridor between Wilmington and Jacksonville, with growing suburban neighborhoods in Hampstead and Rocky Point. The eastern part of the county features beautiful beaches and barrier islands (including parts of Topsail Island), while the interior remains largely rural with pine forests, farmland, and wetlands. It’s a fast-growing county thanks to its proximity to Wilmington.