CensusEasy
CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Emerald Isle

North Carolina · 3,488 residents · 4.923 sq mi
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The short version

Emerald Isle is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $53,274. Population has grown 43% since 1990. 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $185,600. With a median age of 50.1, the population is older than the US median of 35.2. Households here earn about 36% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 50.1
US median: 35.2
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,488
+43%since 1990
from 2,434 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
709 / sq mi
+43%since 1990
from 494 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
50.1
+21%since 1990
from 41.2 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Emerald Isle
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,274
+12%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $36,230 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,316
+45%since 1990
from $21,622 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
2.7%
−1.8 ptssince 1990
from 4.4% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$185,600
+6%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $133,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$750
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $525 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
80.2%
+6.9 ptssince 1990
from 73.3% in 1990
19.8% rent
Afford Score
3.5
−5%since 1990
from 3.7 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Emerald Isle on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic99.7%(2,427)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(20)
Asian0.1%(2)
Diversity Score2.7%(66)
2000
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(3,335)
Black0.8%(27)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(57)
Asian0.6%(22)
Diversity Score7.5%(263)
Diversity Score
8
+176%since 1990
from 3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.2%
+2.7 ptssince 1990
from 37.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
95.1%
+4.2 ptssince 1990
from 90.9% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
13.9%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 13.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.2 min
−17%since 1990
from 23.2 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Emerald Isle

Kensington Park
Pop 3,916
June Park
Pop 4,255
Juno Beach
Pop 3,935
Mount Plymouth
Pop 4,604
Places similar to Emerald Isle
Head to head

Compare Emerald Isle to nearby cities

EMERALD ISLE VS
Piney Green
Income$72,177+35%
Home value$227,600+23%
Population14,078+255%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Morehead City
Income$56,233+6%
Home value$357,400+93%
Population10,434+163%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Havelock
Income$58,408+10%
Home value$207,700+12%
Population17,430+339%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Jacksonville
Income$57,697+8%
Home value$210,100+13%
Population72,732+1732%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

Emerald Isle, North Carolina has about 3,488 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Emerald Isle, North Carolina earns about $53,274 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 $185,600, and the typical rent is about $750 a month.

How educated are people in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

About 40.2% 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 2.7% 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 1,054 residents, a change of about 43 percent over that period.

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

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