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CITY · 2010 ACS

Southern Shores

North Carolina · 2,714 residents · 3.946 sq mi
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The short version

Southern Shores is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $73,786. Population has grown 23% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $496,500. With a median age of 54.2, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 62% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 54.2
US median: 37.2
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 78%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,714
+23%since 2000
from 2,201 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
688 / sq mi
+23%since 2000
from 558 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
54.2
+5%since 2000
from 51.4 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Southern Shores
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$73,786
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,676 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,388
+12%since 2000
from $35,933 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
48.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
3.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.387
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Other services17.5%
US avg: 7%
Information17%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade13.5%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade2.9%
US avg: 10.9%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.5%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$496,500
+78%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $220,700 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,608
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $850 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
64.5%
−29.1 ptssince 2000
from 93.7% in 2000
10.7% rent
Vacancy rate
46.5%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
37.3%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 35.2% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
23.6%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 16.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
6.7
+88%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Southern Shores on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(2,142)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(34)
Asian0.2%(5)
Other0%
Diversity Score4.6%(102)
2010
White, non-Hispanic96.6%(2,621)
Black0.2%(6)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(42)
Asian0.6%(16)
Other0.4%(11)
Diversity Score6.8%(186)
Diversity Score
7
+48%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 48.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
96.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 96.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
19.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.6 min
+25%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
9.6%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
8.7%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
1.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
11.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
40.3%
−25.4 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
52.2%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
17.3%
−27.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Southern Shores

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Pop 3,175
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Pop 3,441
Harbor Bluffs
Pop 3,076
Lake Helen
Pop 2,994
Places similar to Southern Shores
Head to head

Compare Southern Shores to nearby cities

SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Elizabeth City
Income$52,141−29%
Home value$187,700−62%
Population19,622+531%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Virginia Beach
Income$92,968+26%
Home value$382,500−23%
Population453,737+14490%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Chesapeake
Income$95,373+29%
Home value$378,400−24%
Population255,332+8110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Portsmouth
Income$60,491−18%
Home value$246,900−50%
Population96,777+3012%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Southern Shores, North Carolina?

Southern Shores, North Carolina has about 2,714 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Southern Shores, North Carolina?

The typical household in Southern Shores, North Carolina earns about $73,786 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Southern Shores, North Carolina expensive?

In Southern Shores, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $496,500, and the typical rent is about $1,608 a month.

How educated are people in Southern Shores, North Carolina?

About 51.9% of adults age 25 and over in Southern Shores, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Southern Shores, North Carolina?

About 3.5% of people in Southern Shores, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Southern Shores, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Southern Shores, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,267 residents, a change of about 88 percent over that period.

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

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