Population 7,987 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Calabash
Household size in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.12 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.11 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.17 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.96 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Calabash is a place of small households, averaging 1.96 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.12, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 55.9 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 59.0 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 63.4 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 64.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.3 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 64.2, Calabash is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 55.9 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.6% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 2.5% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.9 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.7% of households in Calabash, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.9 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 13 have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Calabash
Renters in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.2% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 7.1% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.3% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Calabash is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 14.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 43.3% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.0% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.3% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 34.3% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.5% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −12.5 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Calabash: 19.5% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 12.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1997 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1998 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 2000 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2002 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +7 | +6 |
Calabash has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2002, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1997 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center has the oldest housing. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 30 have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $688 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $952 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,179 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,436 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$747 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Calabash pays $1,436 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are higher than in North Carolina as a whole ($1,317). Rents are up $747 a month from 2006–10, a 109% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 27.6% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Calabash
Bachelor's degrees in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.8% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.6% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.9% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.1 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
About a third of adults 25 and older in Calabash (33.9%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 13.1 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.5% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.7% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.1% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.2% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.7 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Calabash: 96.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.7 points, in line with the national trend. Only 25 of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Calabash
| Period | Calabash | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.9% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Calabash is close to the national rate: 5.0% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.9 points, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Calabash compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calabash | 1.96 | 64.2 | 4.7% | 14.3% | 19.5% | 2002 | $1,436 | 33.9% | 96.2% | 5.0% |
| Carolina Shores | 1.98 | 64.2 | 3.2% | 7.6% | 15.5% | 2001 | $1,483 | 27.3% | 95.3% | 4.8% |
| Sunset Beach | 1.98 | 64.6 | 3.8% | 12.2% | 43.6% | 2001 | $950 | 37.9% | 96.7% | 2.4% |
| Little River | 2.27 | 56.6 | 7.4% | 17.4% | 24.7% | 2002 | $1,425 | 25.4% | 93.0% | 4.0% |
| Longwood | 2.58 | 37.3 | 7.6% | 29.1% | 11.6% | 1996 | $756 | 27.3% | 96.4% | 0.2% |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 2.32 | 60.3 | 3.1% | 11.3% | 34.4% | 2000 | $1,075 | 44.2% | 95.5% | 2.4% |
| Olyphic | 2.30 | 45.0 | 6.1% | 30.7% | 10.3% | 1991 | $1,247 | 10.2% | 91.5% | 1.7% |
| Grissettown | 2.21 | 41.2 | 5.3% | 25.0% | 24.4% | 2003 | $1,000 | 17.9% | 81.7% | 1.4% |
| Ash | 2.37 | 46.7 | 5.7% | 20.3% | 14.9% | 1995 | $1,096 | 24.3% | 95.7% | 2.5% |
| Reeves | 1.95 | 43.1 | 9.5% | 32.7% | 15.8% | 1988 | $968 | 16.1% | 95.7% | 8.3% |
| Longs | 2.34 | 49.8 | 13.1% | 19.4% | 13.9% | 2006 | $1,553 | 21.2% | 90.5% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Castleton On Hudson, NY · Brigantine, NJ · Waretown, NJ · Bristow, OK · Walls, MS · Broadway, VA · Wallace, NC · Walkerton, IN · Waleska, GA · Brookville, IN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Calabash. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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