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CITY · 2010 ACS

Sunset Beach

North Carolina · 3,572 residents · 6.968 sq mi
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The short version

Sunset Beach is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $63,307. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 96% since 2000. 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $312,100. With a median age of 64.0, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Households here earn about 39% more than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 64.0
US median: 37.2
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
3,572
+96%since 2000
from 1,824 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
513 / sq mi
+96%since 2000
from 262 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
64.0
+6%since 2000
from 60.2 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
01K2K4K5K1990201020202024Sunset Beach
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,307
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,356 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,700
+12%since 2000
from $36,181 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
41.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
6.2%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.421
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information21.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services10%
US avg: 7%
Retail trade8.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food6%
US avg: 2.4%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance1.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.1%
US avg: 4.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$312,100
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $174,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,060
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $829 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
52.1%
−38.2 ptssince 2000
from 90.3% in 2000
11.7% rent
Vacancy rate
65.2%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 68.3% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.1% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.7%
+9.8 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.9
+34%since 2000
from 3.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic96%(3,429)
Black0.8%(27)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(67)
Asian0.6%(20)
Other0.1%(2)
Diversity Score8%(286)
Diversity Score
8
+43%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.1%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 35.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 91.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
10.9%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.2 min
+61%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
86.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.8% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
1.4%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
11.0%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
7.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
28.0%
−29.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.4% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
53.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
26.7%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Sunset Beach

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Head to head

Compare Sunset Beach to nearby cities

SUNSET BEACH VS
Little River
Income$65,786+4%
Home value$305,800−2%
Population11,771+154%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SUNSET BEACH VS
North Myrtle Beach
Income$72,722+15%
Home value$416,900+34%
Population21,346+360%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SUNSET BEACH VS
Oak Island
Income$85,872+36%
Home value$456,500+46%
Population9,337+101%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SUNSET BEACH VS
Carolina Forest
Income$74,436+18%
Home value$336,800+8%
Population26,263+466%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sunset Beach, North Carolina?

Sunset Beach, North Carolina has about 3,572 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Sunset Beach, North Carolina earns about $63,307 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 $312,100, and the typical rent is about $1,060 a month.

How educated are people in Sunset Beach, North Carolina?

About 40.1% 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 6.2% 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 3,251 residents, a change of about 1013 percent over that period.

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

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