Carolina Beach, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · New Hanover County County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
6,665 Population 2,720/sq mi density
$88,239 Median Income $56,994 per capita
$487,800 Home Value $603,767 Zillow
$1,544 Median Rent 26.5% income on rent
65°F Avg Temperature
318 Violent Crime/100K 1,836 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$88,239 median income, 9.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.6 / 5.0
$487,800 home value, $1,544/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
318 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.8 / 5.0
47.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Carolina Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.6 inches. The area receives 0.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

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)

Geography

Elevation22 ft (7 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density2,720/sq mi
Coordinates34.0419°N, 77.8998°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyNew Hanover County County
Nearest AirportWilmington International (ILM)
16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.6"
44% above US avg
Snowfall 0.9"
Wettest Month (Sep) 8.16"
Driest Month (Apr) 3.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood
Good Days %80.7%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0423 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)8.0 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score96.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability19.0 / 100
Community Resilience90.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Very High
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Hurricane History

25 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4. Most recent: Ian (2022, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2022 Ian Category 1 146 km
2020 Isaias Category 1 58 km
2019 Dorian Category 3 60 km
2018 Florence Category 3 7 km
2016 Matthew Category 2 47 km
2014 Arthur Category 2 56 km
2011 Irene Category 1 111 km
2005 Ophelia Category 1 40 km
2004 Alex Category 2 105 km
2004 Gaston Category 1 196 km
2004 Charley Category 1 79 km
2003 Isabel Category 2 181 km
1999 Irene Category 2 85 km
1999 Floyd Category 2 28 km
1999 Dennis Category 2 119 km
1998 Bonnie Category 3 19 km
1996 Fran Category 3 18 km
1996 Bertha Category 2 30 km
1994 Gordon Category 1 194 km
1993 Emily Category 3 253 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

254 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 19 fatalities, 378 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Feb 15, 2021 EF3 58 km 3
Apr 16, 2011 EF3 91 km 0
Nov 16, 2006 EF3 46 km 8
Aug 17, 1965 EF3 75 km 0
Apr 8, 1957 EF3 89 km 0
Oct 9, 1950 EF3 66 km 0
Aug 7, 2024 EF2 75 km 0
Aug 3, 2020 EF2 22 km 0
Sep 5, 2019 EF2 57 km 0
Sep 8, 2014 EF2 87 km 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 99 km 1
Apr 6, 2009 EF2 78 km 0
Mar 28, 2009 EF2 90 km 0
Aug 13, 2004 EF2 40 km 3
Jul 6, 2001 EF2 98 km 0
Apr 15, 1996 EF2 98 km 0
Apr 15, 1996 EF2 96 km 0
Apr 15, 1996 EF2 98 km 0
Nov 7, 1995 EF2 78 km 0
Jul 1, 1990 EF2 73 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,768 ac, 1986).

Year Name Acres Distance
1986 UNNAMED 77,768 53 km
2011 JUNIPER ROAD 31,511 57 km
2009 HIGHWAY 31 17,004 91 km
1994 UNNAMED 7,944 73 km
1985 UNNAMED 2,970 61 km
2001 UNNAMED 2,204 84 km
2020 TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD 2,076 51 km
1993 UNNAMED 2,073 23 km
1986 UNNAMED 2,024 30 km
2014 SHAKEN CREEK 1,469 66 km
2016 CLEMMONS ROAD 1,468 26 km
2011 SR8 1,311 67 km
2011 WOLF ISLAND 1,310 47 km
2022 JUNIPER ROAD TWO 1,307 59 km
1993 UNNAMED 1,293 59 km
2010 BURNCOMP43 1,259 80 km
2008 EDNA BUCK ROAD 1,256 35 km
2007 UNNAMED 1,201 90 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,077 93 km
2010 BURNCOMP48 1,061 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 48°F (9°C) 3.7 in Coldest
February 50°F (10°C) 3.3 in
March 56°F (13°C) 4.0 in
April 63°F (17°C) 3.1 in Driest
May 71°F (22°C) 3.4 in
June 79°F (26°C) 4.0 in
July 82°F (28°C) 5.6 in Warmest
August 81°F (27°C) 6.8 in
September 76°F (25°C) 8.2 in Wettest
October 67°F (19°C) 5.4 in
November 57°F (14°C) 3.4 in
December 51°F (10°C) 3.7 in

Carolina Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 48°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (8.2") and April the driest (3.1").

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