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CITY

Emerald Isle

North Carolina · 3,970 residents (2025 est.) · 4.923 sq mi
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The short version

Emerald Isle has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $89,773. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $603,700. With a median age of 60.3, 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 60.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
57% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 79%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,934
+13%since 2000
from 3,488 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
799 / sq mi
+13%since 2000
from 709 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
60.3
+20%since 2000
from 50.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:3,970 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Emerald Isle
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$89,773
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,274 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$70,224
+124%since 2000
from $31,316 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.8%
+20.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.491
+23%since 2010
from 0.399 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information17.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade6.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Public administration4.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services2.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing0.2%
US avg: 2.2%
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
$603,700
+79%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $185,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,704
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $750 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.6%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
14.4% rent
Vacancy rate
71.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 72.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.1%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 33.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.7%
+21.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.7
+93%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Emerald Isle on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(3,335)
Black0.8%(27)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(57)
Asian0.6%(22)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.5%(263)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(3,645)
Black0.3%(13)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(12)
Asian0%(0)
Other6.7%(264)
Diversity Score17.1%(674)
Diversity Score
17
+127%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
57.1%
+16.9 ptssince 2000
from 40.2% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.7%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 95.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
24.1%
+10.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.6 min
+49%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
65.4%
−13.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.3%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
27.2%
+18.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.2%
−11.4 ptssince 2011
from 12.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
41.8%
−16.0 ptssince 2011
from 57.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
49.9%
−18.0 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.5%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2012
from 13.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.4%
−88.3 ptssince 2013
from 90.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.4%
+10.1 ptssince 2017
from 87.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
+3.8 ptssince 2016
from 94.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.5%
−3.7 ptssince 2016
from 4.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Emerald Isle

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Pop 3,916
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Pop 4,255
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Pop 3,935
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Pop 4,604
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Head to head

Compare Emerald Isle to nearby cities

EMERALD ISLE VS
Piney Green
Income$72,177−20%
Home value$227,600−62%
Population14,078+255%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Morehead City
Income$56,233−37%
Home value$357,400−41%
Population10,434+163%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Havelock
Income$58,408−35%
Home value$207,700−66%
Population17,430+339%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Jacksonville
Income$57,697−36%
Home value$210,100−65%
Population72,732+1732%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

Emerald Isle, North Carolina has about 3,934 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

The typical household in Emerald Isle, North Carolina earns about $89,773 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Emerald Isle, North Carolina expensive?

In Emerald Isle, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $603,700, and the typical rent is about $1,704 a month.

How educated are people in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

About 57.1% of adults age 25 and over in Emerald Isle, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

About 4.9% of people in Emerald Isle, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Emerald Isle, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Emerald Isle, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,500 residents, a change of about 62 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 →