Atlantic Beach is a city of 1,719 people in North Carolina. The median age is 56.6, about 18 years above the US median. This is an unusually credentialed place: 61% of adults have a four-year degree. 3% of people here were born outside the United States. People stay put here: 77% were in the same home a year ago. The typical home is worth $498,400, having roughly tripled since 2000.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $70,402, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 56.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
61% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 71%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Atlantic Beach
What changed most since 1990
Adults with a bachelor's degree24.1% → 60.7%(+36.6 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Median age40.0 → 56.6(+16.6 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Population1,938 → 1,719(−11%)US over the same years: +35%
Atlantic Beach's population equals 2.5% of Carteret County's. Its number of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher equals 4.6% of the county's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 3.9% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)12.6%(24)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)5.8%(11)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era22%(42)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War45%(86)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II2.1%(4)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 191 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Atlantic Beach, decade by decade
Atlantic Beach population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
1,938
$65,918
$307,209
24.1%
8.6
2000
1,781
$69,793
$291,829
30.7%
6.4
2010
1,495
$69,213
$587,081
40.0%
14.6
2020
1,364
$71,932
$437,667
37.6%
11.0
2024
1,719
$70,402
$498,400
60.7%
29.7
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina has about 1,719 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
The typical household in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina earns about $70,402 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Atlantic Beach, North Carolina expensive?
In Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $498,400, and the typical rent is about $1,206 a month.
How educated are people in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
About 60.7% of adults age 25 and over in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
About 15.6% of people in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Atlantic Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 219 residents, a change of about -11 percent over that period.
