Population 5,160 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Carolina Shores
Household size in Carolina Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.12 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.86 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.26 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 1.98 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Carolina Shores is a place of small households, averaging 1.98 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.
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 Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.3 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 64.3 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 61.5 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 64.2 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.9 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 64.2, Carolina Shores 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 59.3 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.3% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.3% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −6.6 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Carolina Shores: 3.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 6.6 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 Shores
Renters in Carolina Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 6.6% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 7.6% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.0 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Carolina Shores is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 7.6% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (40.2%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.0 points, 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 Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.2% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.0% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.5% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −6.7 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Carolina Shores: 15.5% 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. Vacancy is down 6.7 points from 2006–10, 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 Carolina Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1993 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1998 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1998 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2001 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Carolina Shores has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 2001, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1993 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $831 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,093 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,236 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,483 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$651 | +$528 | +$606 |
Rent in Carolina Shores runs $1,483 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in North Carolina overall ($1,317). Rent has climbed $651 a month since 2006–10, up 78%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 41.8% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Shores
Bachelor's degrees in Carolina Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.0% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.7% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.8% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.3% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Carolina Shores than nationally: 27.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 3.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 94.1% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 92.1% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.3% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Carolina Shores: 95.3% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.2 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally.
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 Shores
| Period | Carolina Shores | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.9% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Carolina Shores is close to the national rate: 4.8% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 7.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current 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 Shores 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 Shores | 1.98 | 64.2 | 3.2% | 7.6% | 15.5% | 2001 | $1,483 | 27.3% | 95.3% | 4.8% |
| Calabash | 1.96 | 64.2 | 4.7% | 14.3% | 19.5% | 2002 | $1,436 | 33.9% | 96.2% | 5.0% |
| 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% |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 2.32 | 60.3 | 3.1% | 11.3% | 34.4% | 2000 | $1,075 | 44.2% | 95.5% | 2.4% |
| Longwood | 2.58 | 37.3 | 7.6% | 29.1% | 11.6% | 1996 | $756 | 27.3% | 96.4% | 0.2% |
| Grissettown | 2.21 | 41.2 | 5.3% | 25.0% | 24.4% | 2003 | $1,000 | 17.9% | 81.7% | 1.4% |
| Olyphic | 2.30 | 45.0 | 6.1% | 30.7% | 10.3% | 1991 | $1,247 | 10.2% | 91.5% | 1.7% |
| 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: Troy, TX · Success, MO · Tazewell, VA · Telford, TN · Watertown, MN · Tupper Lake, NY · Watseka, IL · Thiells, NY · Tulia, TX · Thomasville, AL
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 Shores. 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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