Carolina Beach, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Carolina Beach is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 6,665. Residents earn $88,239 per year, which is 17% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
6,665 Population 2,720/sq mi density
$88,239 Median Income $56,994 per capita
$487,800 Home Value $592,506 Zillow
$1,544 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
248 Violent Crime/100K 4,262 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$88,239 median income, 5.6% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$487,800 home value, $1,544/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
248 violent crimes/100K (35% below avg)
A+
Education
4.8 / 5.0
47.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $88,239
17% higher than US avg
Home Value $487,800
73% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 248/100K
35% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 47.5%
41% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,544
33% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.3%
6% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.6%
56% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.7%
38% lower than US avg

How Carolina Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population6,665
Median Age52.2 yrs
Density2,720/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A
Median Income$88,239
Per Capita$56,994
Unemployment5.6%
Poverty7.7%
County GDP$21,041M
Commute24 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$487,800
Rent$1,544
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$592,506

Crime

F
Violent248/100K
Property4,262/100K
Murder16.5/100K
Assault215/100K
Burglary776/100K

Health

Obesity30.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.6%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain65.1 in/yr
Elevation22 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+47.5%
High School+98.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute24 min
EV Stations4
Libraries4

Is Carolina Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carolina Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Carolina Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carolina Beach is $88,239, 17% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 5.6% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carolina Beach is $487,800, making it a premium housing market at 73% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,544 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 5.5x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Carolina Beach is below the national average at 248 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,262 per 100,000, 117% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 47.5% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Carolina Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 65.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Carolina Beach has a population of 6,665 with a density of 2,720 people per square mile. The median age is 52.2 years, 34% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

6,665
Total Population
2,720
People / sq mi
52.2yrs
Median Age
34% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.8%
Female 50.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Carolina Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Carolina Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carolina Beach is $88,239, which is 17% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Carolina Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$88,239
17% above US avg
Per Capita Income$56,994
Avg Weekly Wage$1,185
IRS Avg AGI$102,810

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.6%
56% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.7%
38% below US avg
Establishments (County)11,216
County GDP$21,041M

Business (County)

Restaurants821
Healthcare908
Retail1,119
Manufacturing204

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,918
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home17.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Carolina Beach is $487,800, 73% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,544 (33% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $592,506.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$487,800
73% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$592,506
Median List Price$635,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$635,000
$/Sq Ft$439
Homes Sold24
Sale-to-List Ratio96.5%
Price Drops14.1%
Inventory213

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,544
33% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,918
41% above US avg
Effective Rate1.01%
In Carolina Beach, 30.3% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.6% report depression. 18.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Carolina Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.3%
6% below US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.2%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.1%
Physical Inactivity18.9%
Depression26.6%
Mental Distress17.0%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate84.1%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death8,454/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access95.4%
Healthcare Facilities908
Carolina Beach has a violent crime rate of 248 per 100,000 residents, 35% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,262 per 100,000 (117% above US avg). The murder rate is 16.5 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Carolina Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent247.8/100K
35% below US avg
Murder16.5/100K
162% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery16.5/100K
Assault214.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,262.4/100K
117% above US avg
Burglary776.5/100K
Theft3,287.6/100K
Vehicle Theft198.3/100K
Arson16.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Carolina Beach has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 65.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.1°F
19% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall65.1 inches
71% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation22 ft (7 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density2,720/sq mi
Coordinates34.0419°N, 77.8998°W
County FIPS37129
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 47.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 0.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.2%
D 49.8%

Winner: Democrat by 0.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+47.5%
41% above US avg
High School+98.4%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (4.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,720/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities908
Restaurants821
Retail Stores1,119

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home17.5%

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