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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ocean Isle Beach

North Carolina · 867 residents · 3.742 sq mi
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The short version

Ocean Isle Beach is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $93,750. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 441 residents. 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $579,000. With a median age of 62.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 66% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 62.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
56% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
867
+104%since 2000
from 426 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
232 / sq mi
+104%since 2000
from 114 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
62.3
+17%since 2000
from 53.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3695417138851K1990201020202024Ocean Isle Beach
2024903
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$93,750
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,639 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$66,444
+56%since 2000
from $42,605 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
59.1%
+18.2 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information18.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade8.4%
US avg: 10%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$579,000
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $341,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$989
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $758 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
90.5%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 86.1% in 2000
9.5% rent
Afford Score
6.2
+22%since 2000
from 5.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.8%(822)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.7%(15)
Asian0.7%(6)
Other1.1%(9)
Diversity Score8.7%(75)
Diversity Score
9
+269%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
56.3%
+14.8 ptssince 2000
from 41.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
98.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 96.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
20.7%
+15.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+15%since 2000
from 18.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.9%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 90.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.8%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.1%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 15.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
32.2%
−23.2 ptssince 2011
from 55.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
62.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.9%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
Female
54.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
Foreign born
5.1%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.3%
−81.6 ptssince 2013
from 83.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Ocean Isle Beach to nearby cities

OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
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Income$65,786−30%
Home value$305,800−47%
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OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
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Income$72,722−22%
Home value$416,900−28%
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OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
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Income$85,872−8%
Home value$456,500−21%
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OCEAN ISLE BEACH VS
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Income$74,436−21%
Home value$336,800−42%
Population26,263+2694%
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Frequently asked

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

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina has about 867 residents according to the 2020 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 $93,750 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 $579,000, and the typical rent is about $989 a month.

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

About 56.3% 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 4.0% 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 333 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

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