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CITY

Ocean Isle Beach

North Carolina · 940 residents (2025 est.) · 3.742 sq mi
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The short version

Ocean Isle Beach is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $96,786. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 477 residents. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $835,500. With a median age of 67.3, 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 67.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
903
+112%since 2000
from 426 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
241 / sq mi
+112%since 2000
from 114 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
67.3
+26%since 2000
from 53.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:940 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3695417138851K1990201020202024Ocean Isle Beach
2024903
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$96,786
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,639 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$84,793
+99%since 2000
from $42,605 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
60.5%
+19.6 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.526
+2%since 2010
from 0.514 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services22.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration14.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade8.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services4%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade2%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$835,500
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $341,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
96.5%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 86.1% in 2000
3.5% rent
Vacancy rate
84.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
35.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 37.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
16.7%
−40.6 ptssince 2009
from 57.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
8.6
+71%since 2000
from 5.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ocean Isle Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(418)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.5%(2)
Asian0.5%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.4%(10)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(887)
Black0.6%(5)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(10)
Asian0%(0)
Other0.1%(1)
Diversity Score4.4%(39)
Diversity Score
4
+86%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
65.1%
+23.7 ptssince 2000
from 41.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 96.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
29.2%
+23.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.6 min
+23%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
51.0%
−39.4 ptssince 2009
from 90.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
3.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
43.4%
+39.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−15.5 ptssince 2011
from 15.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
34.1%
−21.3 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 13.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
61.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.5%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
56.5%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.7%
−41.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.5%
+5.0 ptssince 2012
from 9.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.9%
−80.0 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.9%
+11.6 ptssince 2017
from 85.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.4%
+5.1 ptssince 2016
from 93.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2016
from 4.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Ocean Isle Beach to nearby cities

OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
Little River
Income$65,786−32%
Home value$305,800−63%
Population11,771+1152%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
North Myrtle Beach
Income$72,722−25%
Home value$416,900−50%
Population21,346+2171%
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OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
Oak Island
Income$85,872−11%
Home value$456,500−45%
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OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
Carolina Forest
Income$74,436−23%
Home value$336,800−60%
Population26,263+2694%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina?

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina has about 903 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina earns about $96,786 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina expensive?

In Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $835,500.

How educated are people in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina?

About 65.1% of adults age 25 and over in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina?

About 5.3% of people in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 369 residents, a change of about 69 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 →

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