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CITY

Carolina Beach

North Carolina · 6,870 residents (2025 est.) · 2.452 sq mi
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Part of the Wilmington metro area
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Notable rankings
#214Oldest by median ageof 6,82653.2
The short version

Carolina Beach is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $94,398. Population has grown 43% since 2000. 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $566,200. With a median age of 53.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
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
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
6,745
+43%since 2000
from 4,701 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,751 / sq mi
+43%since 2000
from 1,917 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
53.2
+22%since 2000
from 43.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:6,870 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K4K5K6K7K1990201020202024Carolina Beach
20247K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$94,398
+38%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,662 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$66,446
+175%since 2000
from $24,128 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
55.8%
+29.8 ptssince 2009
from 26.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.506
+12%since 2010
from 0.451 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information11.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade9.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade9.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$566,200
+112%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $146,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,513
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $700 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
84.4%
+18.7 ptssince 2000
from 65.7% in 2000
15.6% rent
Vacancy rate
51.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
29.9%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 36.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.8%
−14.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.0
+54%since 2000
from 3.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
73
RELATED:See current rent listings in Carolina Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(4,536)
Black1.2%(56)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(36)
Asian0.4%(21)
Other0%
Diversity Score6%(281)
2024
White, non-Hispanic87.5%(5,902)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino6.4%(434)
Asian1.2%(78)
Other4.9%(331)
Diversity Score28.5%(1,919)
Diversity Score
28
+376%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
50.5%
+26.9 ptssince 2000
from 23.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.0%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 89.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
15.7%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.1 min
+8%since 2000
from 20.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 71.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.9%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
19.7%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
3.4%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 9.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
62.7%
−13.9 ptssince 2011
from 76.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
5.8%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
53.8%
−15.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
49.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.9%
−42.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.0%
+3.2 ptssince 2012
from 7.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.8%
−70.4 ptssince 2013
from 81.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
98.0%
+16.3 ptssince 2017
from 81.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 97.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2016
from 1.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Carolina Beach to nearby cities

CAROLINA BEACH VS
Myrtle Grove
Income$113,463+20%
Home value$439,100−22%
Population12,637+84%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAROLINA BEACH VS
Wilmington
Income$66,738−29%
Home value$383,800−32%
Population126,809+1746%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAROLINA BEACH VS
Leland
Income$91,977−3%
Home value$398,900−30%
Population35,731+420%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CAROLINA BEACH VS
Oak Island
Income$85,872−9%
Home value$456,500−19%
Population9,337+36%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

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.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Carolina Beach, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy