Carolina Beach is a city of 6,745 people in North Carolina. At a median age of 53.2, this is an older place than the country as a whole. 84% of homes are owner-occupied. That puts it in the top 9% of US cities for household income. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. Growth has run 43% since 2000, or 2,044 more people.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $94,398, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 53.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
50% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 112%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Carolina Beach
What changed most since 1990
Homes owned by their occupants49.6% → 84.4%(+34.8 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
Median home value (2024 dollars)$175,925 → $566,200(+222%)US over the same years: +67%
Adults with a bachelor's degree18.8% → 50.5%(+31.6 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Carolina Beach's population equals 2.9% of New Hanover County's. Its number of households without a car equals 1.2% of the county's. Its number of residents living in poverty equals 1.4% 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)27.8%(145)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)30.5%(159)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era34.4%(179)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War0%(0)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 521 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
Carolina Beach, decade by decade
Carolina 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
3,631
$66,002
$175,925
18.8%
5.0
2000
4,701
$68,607
$267,601
23.6%
8.6
2010
5,706
$72,235
$456,746
40.7%
11.5
2020
6,564
$83,356
$436,092
43.3%
21.0
2024
6,745
$94,398
$566,200
50.5%
28.5
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 Carolina Beach, North Carolina?
Carolina Beach, North Carolina has about 6,745 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?
The typical household in Carolina Beach, North Carolina earns about $94,398 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Carolina Beach, North Carolina expensive?
In Carolina Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $566,200, and the typical rent is about $1,513 a month.
How educated are people in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?
About 50.5% of adults age 25 and over in Carolina Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Carolina Beach, North Carolina?
About 6.0% of people in Carolina Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Carolina Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Carolina Beach, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,114 residents, a change of about 86 percent over that period.
