Population 6,693 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Carolina Beach
Household size in Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.15 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.24 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.25 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Carolina Beach are small: just 2.25 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has climbed from 2.15 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.7 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 48.0 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 52.4 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +10.6 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 52.4, Carolina Beach 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 41.8 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 19 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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.9% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.7% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Carolina Beach than nationally: 8.7%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Carolina Beach
Renters in Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.0% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 50.4% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.0% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.1% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −27.9 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Carolina Beach is largely a place of homeowners: only 16.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly four in ten owners (37.7%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share has fallen 27.9 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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.1% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 49.3% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 49.1% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 47.0% of the housing in Carolina Beach, 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. Vacancy has fallen 2.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1989 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1988 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Carolina Beach is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1988, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the center.
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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,108 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,160 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,219 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,779 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$671 | +$528 | +$606 |
Rent in Carolina Beach runs $1,779 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $671 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 29.5% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the southwest.
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 Carolina Beach
Bachelor's degrees in Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.3% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 36.9% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.5% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 49.8% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.5 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Carolina Beach is highly educated: about half of adults 25 and older (49.8%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 9.5 points, as it has nationally. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 31 have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 91.3% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.1% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.0% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 98.9% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Carolina Beach: 98.9% 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 7.5 points, mirroring the country. Only three 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 Carolina Beach
| Period | Carolina Beach | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.2% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Carolina Beach runs well above the national rate: 8.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of the 332 North Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 25 have higher unemployment. 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).
Carolina Beach 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Beach | 2.25 | 52.4 | 8.7% | 16.1% | 47.0% | 1988 | $1,779 | 49.8% | 98.9% | 8.2% |
| Kure Beach | 2.27 | 56.4 | 2.6% | 19.3% | 51.0% | 1994 | $1,792 | 53.8% | 98.7% | 3.0% |
| Myrtle Grove | 2.61 | 43.6 | 4.9% | 16.1% | 5.9% | 2000 | $1,268 | 46.0% | 93.7% | 3.3% |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 2.16 | 46.1 | 8.4% | 18.6% | 11.7% | 1999 | $1,444 | 23.8% | 94.8% | 3.5% |
| Funston | 2.04 | 53.0 | 7.3% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 2007 | $1,760 | 33.9% | 94.9% | 1.3% |
| Southport | 2.14 | 63.5 | 7.8% | 14.8% | 20.5% | 1999 | $1,340 | 34.6% | 94.1% | 4.7% |
| Winnabow | 2.43 | 46.1 | 8.3% | 15.4% | 7.1% | 2008 | $1,643 | 35.4% | 96.0% | 3.3% |
| Caswell Beach | 2.04 | 65.9 | 4.6% | 4.7% | 53.8% | 1995 | $1,283 | 65.1% | 98.1% | 1.8% |
| St. James | 2.00 | 67.7 | 2.0% | 4.6% | 15.9% | 2010 | $1,391 | 66.4% | 97.9% | 8.3% |
| Oak Island | 2.00 | 61.6 | 7.0% | 9.3% | 51.9% | 1998 | $1,535 | 43.2% | 96.9% | 1.8% |
| Town Creek | 2.87 | 34.9 | 9.5% | 17.6% | 0.9% | 2000 | $1,069 | 16.7% | 82.0% | 2.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Mount Vernon, MO · Negaunee, MI · Needles, CA · Natalia, TX · Nashville, IN · Nashport, OH · Murrayville, GA · Muldrow, OK · Mountain Grove, MO · Mount Zion, IL
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 Carolina Beach. 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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