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CITY

Wrightsville Beach

North Carolina · 2,397 residents (2025 est.) · 1.395 sq mi
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The short version

Wrightsville Beach is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $151,563. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 72% 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 $1,168,700. With a median age of 58.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 58.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
72% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 44%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,665
+3%since 2000
from 2,593 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,910 / sq mi
+3%since 2000
from 1,859 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
58.0
+56%since 2000
from 37.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,397 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Wrightsville Beach
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$151,563
+49%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $55,903 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$101,948
+179%since 2000
from $36,575 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
71.4%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.494
−24%since 2010
from 0.652 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services13.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade10.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Information6.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food5.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.1%
US avg: 5.1%
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
$1,168,700
+44%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $446,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,336
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $957 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
80.8%
+25.8 ptssince 2000
from 55.0% in 2000
19.2% rent
Vacancy rate
54.7%
−8.7 ptssince 2009
from 63.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
31.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 28.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.4%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
7.7
−3%since 2000
from 8.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
54
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wrightsville Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.6%(2,532)
Black0.3%(7)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(17)
Asian0.5%(14)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(95)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.3%(2,567)
Black0.5%(14)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(71)
Asian0.3%(9)
Other0.2%(4)
Diversity Score8.9%(238)
Diversity Score
9
+144%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
72.5%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 61.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
100.0%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 98.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
25.5%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.7 min
+33%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.3%
−15.6 ptssince 2009
from 84.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.9%
−5.1 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
28.7%
+25.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
0.0%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.4%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 7.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
57.4%
−8.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
4.6%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
68.5%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 71.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.3% in 2009
Female
44.1%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.7%
+5.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−48.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
5.3%
−1.0 ptssince 2012
from 6.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.1%
−87.6 ptssince 2013
from 88.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.3%
+11.6 ptssince 2017
from 84.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2016
from 97.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.5%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Wrightsville Beach to nearby cities

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH VS
Ogden
Income$121,338−20%
Home value$463,700−60%
Population8,249+244%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH VS
Wilmington
Income$66,738−56%
Home value$383,800−67%
Population126,809+5190%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH VS
Kings Grant
Income$62,232−59%
Home value$300,700−74%
Population9,003+276%
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WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH VS
Murraysville
Income$81,167−46%
Home value$320,700−73%
Population16,339+582%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina?

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina has about 2,665 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina earns about $151,563 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina expensive?

In Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $1,168,700, and the typical rent is about $2,336 a month.

How educated are people in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina?

About 72.5% of adults age 25 and over in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 4.0% of people in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 132 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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

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