CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Southern Shores

North Carolina · 3,090 residents · 3.946 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Kill Devil Hills micropolitan area
Compare
The short version

Southern Shores is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $106,523. Population has grown 40% since 2000. 59% 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 $475,900. With a median age of 58.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 88% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 58.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
59% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 43%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,090
+40%since 2000
from 2,201 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
783 / sq mi
+40%since 2000
from 558 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
58.8
+14%since 2000
from 51.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K3K3K1990201020202024Southern Shores
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$106,523
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $61,676 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$61,953
+72%since 2000
from $35,933 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
67.7%
+17.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information23.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services13.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade7%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade3.8%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.4%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$475,900
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $220,700 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,081
+63%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $850 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
90.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 93.7% in 2000
9.7% rent
Afford Score
4.5
+25%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(2,870)
Black0.5%(15)
Hispanic / Latino2%(63)
Asian0.7%(22)
Other6%(184)
Diversity Score21%(650)
Diversity Score
21
+355%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
58.6%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 48.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
98.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 96.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
27.2%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.3 min
+81%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
14.0%
+8.2 ptssince 2011
from 5.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 56.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
51.8%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.9%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Female
48.1%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.9%
−79.2 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Southern Shores

Malabar
Pop 3,175
Geneva
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$52,141−51%
Home value$187,700−61%
Population19,622+531%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Virginia Beach
Income$92,968−13%
Home value$382,500−20%
Population453,737+14490%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Chesapeake
Income$95,373−10%
Home value$378,400−20%
Population255,332+8110%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOUTHERN SHORES VS
Portsmouth
Income$60,491−43%
Home value$246,900−48%
Population96,777+3012%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Southern Shores, North Carolina?

Southern Shores, North Carolina has about 3,090 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Southern Shores, North Carolina earns about $106,523 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 $475,900, and the typical rent is about $2,081 a month.

How educated are people in Southern Shores, North Carolina?

About 58.6% 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 4.0% 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 1,643 residents, a change of about 114 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Southern Shores with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →