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CITY

Topsail Beach

North Carolina · 503 residents (2025 est.) · 4.39 sq mi
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The short version

Topsail Beach is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $93,250. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $691,200. With a median age of 68.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 68.2
US median: 38.9
More educated
59% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 36%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
406
−14%since 2000
from 471 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
92 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 107 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
68.2
+23%since 2000
from 55.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:503 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3423774134484831990201020202024Topsail Beach
2024406
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$93,250
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$73,657
+106%since 2000
from $35,838 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
53.2%
+22.8 ptssince 2009
from 30.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.6%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.450
−3%since 2010
from 0.462 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Information5.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food5.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$691,200
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $280,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
96.4%
+18.2 ptssince 2000
from 78.2% in 2000
3.6% rent
Vacancy rate
83.5%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 84.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
32.5%
−18.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.4
+48%since 2000
from 5.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Topsail Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.2%(467)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(2)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.6%(7)
2024
White, non-Hispanic100%(406)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score0%(0)
Diversity Score
0
−100%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
59.1%
+19.1 ptssince 2000
from 40.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.5%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 90.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
25.6%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
33.8 min
+73%since 2000
from 19.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
58.9%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 85.1% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
32.3%
+25.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
5.1%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.8%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.6%
−10.5 ptssince 2011
from 11.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
41.4%
−21.9 ptssince 2011
from 63.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.9%
−12.7 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
60.5%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.3%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
Female
54.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.3%
−34.1 ptssince 2009
from 43.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2012
from 14.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.0%
−88.4 ptssince 2013
from 90.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
100.0%
+12.8 ptssince 2017
from 87.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 99.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Topsail Beach to nearby cities

TOPSAIL BEACH VS
Hampstead
Income$91,745−2%
Home value$402,100−42%
Population9,292+1747%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
TOPSAIL BEACH VS
Ogden
Income$121,338+30%
Home value$463,700−33%
Population8,249+1540%
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TOPSAIL BEACH VS
Murraysville
Income$81,167−13%
Home value$320,700−54%
Population16,339+3148%
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TOPSAIL BEACH VS
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Income$62,232−33%
Home value$300,700−56%
Population9,003+1690%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Topsail Beach, North Carolina?

Topsail Beach, North Carolina has about 406 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Topsail Beach, North Carolina earns about $93,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Topsail Beach, North Carolina expensive?

In Topsail Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $691,200.

How educated are people in Topsail Beach, North Carolina?

About 59.1% of adults age 25 and over in Topsail Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 7.6% of people in Topsail Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Topsail Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Topsail Beach, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 44 residents, a change of about 12 percent over that period.

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

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