Bald Head Island, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Bald Head Island is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 149. Residents earn $205,000 per year, which is 173% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
149 Population 38/sq mi density
$205,000 Median Income $166,407 per capita
$1,375,000 Home Value $1,383,386 Zillow
N/A Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$205,000 median income, 1.4% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.9 / 5.0
$1,375,000 home value
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
84.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $205,000
173% higher than US avg
Home Value $1,375,000
388% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 84.2%
150% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 29.8%
7% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.0%
84% lower than US avg

How Bald Head Island Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population149
Median Age69.1 yrs
Density38/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans11.6%

Economy

A+
Median Income$205,000
Per Capita$166,407
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty2.0%
County GDP$8,081M
Commute28 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$1,375,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,383,386

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property19,527/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary2,367/100K

Health

Obesity29.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain54.6 in/yr
Elevation3 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+84.2%
High School+100.0%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute28 min
Broadband86.0%
Libraries5

Is Bald Head Island a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bald Head Island receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Bald Head Island offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bald Head Island is $205,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 173% above $75,149. This places Bald Head Island among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bald Head Island is $1,375,000, making it a premium housing market at 388% above the U.S. median of $281,900. The price-to-income ratio of 6.7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Bald Head Island is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 19,527 per 100,000, 896% above the national average.

Education

Bald Head Island is a highly educated community — 84.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Bald Head Island enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Bald Head Island has a population of 149 with a density of 38 people per square mile. The median age is 69.1 years, 78% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98%).

Population

149
Total Population
38
People / sq mi
69.1yrs
Median Age
78% above US avg
3.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Bald Head Island vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bald Head Island vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bald Head Island is $205,000, which is 173% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Bald Head Island vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$205,000
173% above US avg
Per Capita Income$166,407
Avg Weekly Wage$994
IRS Avg AGI$84,518

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.0%
84% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,448
County GDP$8,081M

Business (County)

Restaurants347
Healthcare248
Retail491
Manufacturing76

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,085
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.1 min
Drive Alone9.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home64.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bald Head Island is $1,375,000, 388% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,383,386.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$1,375,000
388% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,383,386
Median List Price$1,075,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,075,000
$/Sq Ft$682
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio96.9%
Price Drops8.3%
Inventory60

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,085
17% above US avg
Effective Rate0.30%
In Bald Head Island, 29.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.3% report depression. 15.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bald Head Island vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity29.8%
7% below US avg
Diabetes7.2%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure26.8%
Asthma10.3%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity15.6%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress15.5%
Physical Distress9.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Checkup Rate78.9%
Premature Death10,048/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access76.8%
Healthcare Facilities248
Bald Head Island has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 19,527 per 100,000 (896% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bald Head Island vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property19,526.6/100K
896% above US avg
Burglary2,366.9/100K
Theft15,384.6/100K
Vehicle Theft1,775.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Bald Head Island has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average65.0°F
20% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.6 inches
44% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation3 ft (1 m)
Area3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²)
Population Density38/sq mi
Coordinates33.8663°N, 77.9809°W
County FIPS37019
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 84.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (150% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.9-point margin. 86.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62%
D 37.2%

Winner: Republican by 24.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+84.2%
150% above US avg
High School+100.0%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density38/sq mi
Total Area3.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities248
Restaurants347
Retail Stores491

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.1 min
Drive Alone9.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home64.7%

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