Dudley is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States, about 9 miles south of Goldsboro.

Another town named Dudley originally existed several miles north from its current location.

The second and present town bearing the name was set up around 1836-1840 as a camp for the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad.

In December 1862, during the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge, a number of buildings and railroad cars were destroyed in Dudley by the Union Army under Maj. Gen. John G. Foster.

The town's government lasted for many years until eventually no more officials were elected and the incorporation ended.