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CITY · 2020 ACS

Oak Island

North Carolina · 8,396 residents · 19.272 sq mi
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The short version

Oak Island has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $71,193. Population has grown 28% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $259,500. With a median age of 60.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 26% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 60.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 49%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
8,396
+28%since 2000
from 6,571 in 2000
2000 – 2025
Population density
436 / sq mi
+28%since 2000
from 341 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
60.4
+23%since 2000
from 49.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 2000 – 2024
6K7K8K9K9K2000201020202024Oak Island
20249K
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,193
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,496 in 2000
US average: $66,278
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$45,329
+89%since 2000
from $23,964 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
48.6%
+22.4 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services10.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance9.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade4.9%
US avg: 10%
Education & health services4.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
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
$259,500
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $115,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
2000 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,097
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $704 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
82.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 78.9% in 2000
17.7% rent
Afford Score
3.6
+28%since 2000
from 2.9 in 2000
2000 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Oak Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(6,414)
Black0.4%(28)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(49)
Asian0.1%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.2%(208)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(7,782)
Black0.8%(68)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(146)
Asian0.5%(43)
Other2.1%(173)
Diversity Score12.6%(1,061)
Diversity Score
13
+299%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
39.6%
+20.5 ptssince 2000
from 19.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
95.5%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 87.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.2%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.8 min
+30%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 71.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.4%
−12.5 ptssince 2011
from 62.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.2%
−25.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Female
51.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.5%
−72.8 ptssince 2013
from 80.3% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Oak Island

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Pop 9,304
Fruitland Park
Pop 9,543
Mascotte
Pop 10,150
Marathon
Pop 10,060
Places similar to Oak Island
Head to head

Compare Oak Island to nearby cities

OAK ISLAND VS
Myrtle Grove
Income$113,463+59%
Home value$439,100+69%
Population12,637+35%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK ISLAND VS
Leland
Income$91,977+29%
Home value$398,900+54%
Population35,731+283%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK ISLAND VS
Wilmington
Income$66,738−6%
Home value$383,800+48%
Population126,809+1258%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OAK ISLAND VS
Kings Grant
Income$62,232−13%
Home value$300,700+16%
Population9,003−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Oak Island, North Carolina?

Oak Island, North Carolina has about 8,396 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Oak Island, North Carolina?

The typical household in Oak Island, North Carolina earns about $71,193 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Oak Island, North Carolina expensive?

In Oak Island, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $259,500, and the typical rent is about $1,097 a month.

How educated are people in Oak Island, North Carolina?

About 39.6% of adults age 25 and over in Oak Island, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Oak Island, North Carolina?

About 8.2% of people in Oak Island, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

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