Population 9,217 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Southport
Household size in Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.10 | 2.53 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.20 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.29 | 2.56 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.14 | 2.52 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Southport is a place of small households, averaging 2.14 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.10 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Only 15 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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.8 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.7 | 38.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 55.7 | 40.2 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 63.5 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +13.6 | +2.3 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 63.5, Southport is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 49.8, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only three 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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.4% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.4% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 7.8% of households in Southport, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.5 points since 2006–10, as it has 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 Southport
Renters in Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.4% | 31.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 36.3% | 34.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.7% | 34.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 33.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −11.6 pts | +1.4 pts | +1.5 pts |
Southport is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 14.8% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly half of owners (46.6%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 11.6 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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.7% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.1% | 12.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 30.4% | 12.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.5% | 11.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −1.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 20.5% of the housing in Southport, 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 3.1 points, in line with the national trend.
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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1989 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1995 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1998 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1990 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Southport is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1999, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1989 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $807 | $789 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $996 | $868 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,083 | $981 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,340 | $1,317 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$532 | +$528 | +$606 |
The median renter in Southport pays $1,340 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $532 a month from 2006–10, a 66% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 27.1% 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 east; the highest are in the northwest.
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 Southport
Bachelor's degrees in Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.3% | 27.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 29.0% | 29.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.6% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.6% | 36.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | +8.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Southport (34.6%) 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 9.3 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the northwest.
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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.9% | 84.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.3% | 86.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.4% | 88.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.1% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.2 pts | +5.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Southport is above the national rate: 94.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.2 points, in line with the national trend. Southport has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of North Carolina cities.
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 Southport
| Period | Southport | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.1% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.3% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.0% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −4.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Southport is close to the national rate: 4.7% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Unemployment is down 3.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Southport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southport | 2.14 | 63.5 | 7.8% | 14.8% | 20.5% | 1999 | $1,340 | 34.6% | 94.1% | 4.7% |
| 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% |
| Bald Head Island | 1.81 | 67.8 | 4.9% | 1.9% | 90.6% | 2002 | $1,352 | 86.4% | 100.0% | 4.2% |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 2.16 | 46.1 | 8.4% | 18.6% | 11.7% | 1999 | $1,444 | 23.8% | 94.8% | 3.5% |
| Kure Beach | 2.27 | 56.4 | 2.6% | 19.3% | 51.0% | 1994 | $1,792 | 53.8% | 98.7% | 3.0% |
| Varnum | 2.19 | 55.8 | 9.2% | 4.3% | 26.8% | 2000 | $1,637 | 31.2% | 87.1% | 3.1% |
| Bolivia | 2.42 | 52.2 | 14.1% | 14.2% | 17.4% | 2003 | $1,634 | 26.6% | 91.1% | 6.6% |
| Carolina Beach | 2.25 | 52.4 | 8.7% | 16.1% | 47.0% | 1988 | $1,779 | 49.8% | 98.9% | 8.2% |
| Varnamtown | 2.29 | 60.5 | 4.6% | 4.8% | 21.6% | 1996 | $866 | 28.7% | 92.5% | 4.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Tunkhannock, PA · Cape St. Claire, MD · Capistrano Beach, CA · Capitola, CA · Carleton, MI · Caro, MI · Carrollton, VA · Carthage, TX · Caseyville, IL · Castle Hayne, NC
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 Southport. 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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