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CITY · 2020 ACS

Emerald Isle

North Carolina · 3,847 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 $84,457. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $382,500. With a median age of 58.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 49% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 58.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
48% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,847
+10%since 2000
from 3,488 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
781 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 709 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
58.4
+17%since 2000
from 50.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Emerald Isle
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$84,457
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,274 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$51,915
+66%since 2000
from $31,316 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
56.7%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 40.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 2.7% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services12.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade9.3%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$382,500
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $185,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,329
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $750 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
83.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 80.2% in 2000
16.8% rent
Afford Score
4.5
+30%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.1%(3,545)
Black0.3%(12)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(122)
Asian0.7%(26)
Other7.5%(287)
Diversity Score25.6%(986)
Diversity Score
26
+240%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
48.3%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 40.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 95.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
21.4%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.1 min
+57%since 2000
from 19.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.2%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−7.0 ptssince 2011
from 12.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.4%
−7.5 ptssince 2011
from 57.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
54.1%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
Female
51.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
4.0%
−86.7 ptssince 2013
from 90.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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$72,177−15%
Home value$227,600−40%
Population14,078+255%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Morehead City
Income$56,233−33%
Home value$357,400−7%
Population10,434+163%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Havelock
Income$58,408−31%
Home value$207,700−46%
Population17,430+339%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERALD ISLE VS
Jacksonville
Income$57,697−32%
Home value$210,100−45%
Population72,732+1732%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

Emerald Isle, North Carolina has about 3,847 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Emerald Isle, North Carolina earns about $84,457 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 $382,500, and the typical rent is about $1,329 a month.

How educated are people in Emerald Isle, North Carolina?

About 48.3% 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 2.1% 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 1,413 residents, a change of about 58 percent over that period.

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

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