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Bald Head Island

North Carolina · 279 residents (2025 est.) · 3.914 sq mi
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The short version

Bald Head Island is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $209,219. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 86% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $1,367,200. With a median age of 67.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 67.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
86% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
190
+10%since 2000
from 173 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
49 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 44 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
67.8
+20%since 2000
from 56.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:279 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
521151792423051990201020202024Bald Head Island
2024190
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$209,219
+85%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,083 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$160,272
+252%since 2000
from $45,585 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
87.6%
+17.0 ptssince 2009
from 70.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.8%
−3.5 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.436
−25%since 2010
from 0.579 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade11.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information11.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services10.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,367,200
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $531,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
98.1%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.5% in 2000
1.9% rent
Vacancy rate
90.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 94.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 26.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.5
−24%since 2000
from 8.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
68
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bald Head Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.4%(165)
Black2.9%(5)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.1%(12)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.4%(187)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score3.9%(7)
Diversity Score
4
−46%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
86.4%
+17.7 ptssince 2000
from 68.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 100.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
41.8%
+15.8 ptssince 2000
from 26.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.4 min
+235%since 2000
from 8.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
13.2%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
61.8%
+61.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.9%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
34.3%
−21.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
−45.8 ptssince 2011
from 50.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
38.2%
+32.2 ptssince 2011
from 6.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.7%
+14.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
70.6%
−15.1 ptssince 2009
from 85.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 46.6% in 2009
Female
51.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 53.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.9%
−37.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
7.4%
−6.4 ptssince 2012
from 13.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−98.5 ptssince 2013
from 98.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
100.0%
+11.5 ptssince 2017
from 88.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2016
from 97.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Bald Head Island to nearby cities

BALD HEAD ISLAND VS
Oak Island
Income$85,872−59%
Home value$456,500−67%
Population9,337+3247%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BALD HEAD ISLAND VS
Myrtle Grove
Income$113,463−46%
Home value$439,100−68%
Population12,637+4429%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BALD HEAD ISLAND VS
Wilmington
Income$66,738−68%
Home value$383,800−72%
Population126,809+45351%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BALD HEAD ISLAND VS
Leland
Income$91,977−56%
Home value$398,900−71%
Population35,731+12707%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bald Head Island, North Carolina?

Bald Head Island, North Carolina has about 190 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bald Head Island, North Carolina?

The typical household in Bald Head Island, North Carolina earns about $209,219 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bald Head Island, North Carolina expensive?

In Bald Head Island, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $1,367,200.

How educated are people in Bald Head Island, North Carolina?

About 86.4% of adults age 25 and over in Bald Head Island, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bald Head Island, North Carolina?

About 6.8% of people in Bald Head Island, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bald Head Island, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Bald Head Island, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 112 residents, a change of about 144 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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