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CITY

Sunset Beach

North Carolina · 4,642 residents (2025 est.) · 6.968 sq mi
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The short version

Sunset Beach has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $81,976. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 2,527 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $410,900. With a median age of 69.1, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 5.7% of residents.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 69.1
US median: 38.9
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,351
+139%since 2000
from 1,824 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
624 / sq mi
+139%since 2000
from 262 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
69.1
+15%since 2000
from 60.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,642 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
01K2K4K5K1990201020202024Sunset Beach
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$81,976
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,356 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$57,169
+58%since 2000
from $36,181 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.5%
+14.0 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.451
+7%since 2010
from 0.421 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information19.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade2.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$410,900
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $174,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$537
−64%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $829 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
86.4%
−3.9 ptssince 2000
from 90.3% in 2000
13.6% rent
Vacancy rate
54.5%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 68.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
23.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
17.0%
−23.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.0
+36%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
23
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sunset Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(1,758)
Black0.5%(9)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(25)
Asian0.4%(7)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.6%(102)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(4,098)
Black2%(85)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(67)
Asian0.2%(7)
Other2.2%(94)
Diversity Score14%(608)
Diversity Score
14
+149%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 35.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.3%
+6.8 ptssince 2000
from 91.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.5 min
+30%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.3%
−10.5 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
22.2%
+13.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.1%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.7%
−5.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
32.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 37.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
15.5%
+9.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
40.9%
−16.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
40.5%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
59.5%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.4%
−38.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.0%
+7.3 ptssince 2012
from 10.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.6%
−93.3 ptssince 2013
from 94.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
95.6%
+7.4 ptssince 2017
from 88.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 98.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sunset Beach to nearby cities

SUNSET BEACH VS
Little River
Income$65,786−20%
Home value$305,800−26%
Population11,771+154%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SUNSET BEACH VS
North Myrtle Beach
Income$72,722−11%
Home value$416,900+1%
Population21,346+360%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SUNSET BEACH VS
Oak Island
Income$85,872+5%
Home value$456,500+11%
Population9,337+101%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SUNSET BEACH VS
Carolina Forest
Income$74,436−9%
Home value$336,800−18%
Population26,263+466%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sunset Beach, North Carolina?

Sunset Beach, North Carolina has about 4,351 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sunset Beach, North Carolina earns about $81,976 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sunset Beach, North Carolina expensive?

In Sunset Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $410,900, and the typical rent is about $537 a month.

How educated are people in Sunset Beach, North Carolina?

About 40.0% of adults age 25 and over in Sunset Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sunset Beach, North Carolina?

About 5.7% of people in Sunset Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sunset Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Sunset Beach, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,030 residents, a change of about 1255 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 →