Carolina Shores, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Carolina Shores is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,843. Residents earn $74,310 per year, which is 1% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
4,843 Population 1,670/sq mi density
$74,310 Median Income $42,935 per capita
$276,000 Home Value $315,383 Zillow
$1,948 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$74,310 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$276,000 home value, $1,948/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $74,310
1% lower than US avg
Home Value $276,000
2% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.7%
18% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,948
67% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 31.5%
2% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,843
Median Age65.6 yrs
Density1,670/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$74,310
Per Capita$42,935
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$22,774M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$276,000
Rent$1,948
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$315,383

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity31.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.0%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain48.5 in/yr
Elevation38 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.7%
High School+98.7%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute20 min
Libraries12

Is Carolina Shores a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carolina Shores receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Carolina Shores stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carolina Shores is $74,310, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carolina Shores is $276,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,948 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

27.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Carolina Shores enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Carolina Shores has a population of 4,843 with a density of 1,670 people per square mile. The median age is 65.6 years, 69% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.7%), with 2.7% Hispanic.

Population

4,843
Total Population
1,670
People / sq mi
65.6yrs
Median Age
69% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Carolina Shores vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Carolina Shores vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carolina Shores is $74,310, which is 1% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Carolina Shores vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$74,310
1% below US avg
Per Capita Income$42,935
Avg Weekly Wage$924
IRS Avg AGI$67,849

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)12,484
County GDP$22,774M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,398
Healthcare896
Retail1,849
Manufacturing171

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home14.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Carolina Shores is $276,000, 2% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,948 (67% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $315,383.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$276,000
2% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$315,383
Median List Price$322,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$322,000
$/Sq Ft$155
Homes Sold14
Sale-to-List Ratio96.3%
Price Drops13.5%
Inventory74

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,948
67% 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-Occupied94.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Rate1.28%
In Carolina Shores, 31.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.0% report depression. 18.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity31.5%
2% below US avg
Diabetes8.0%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.8%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity18.6%
Depression27.0%
Mental Distress17.4%
Physical Distress10.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Checkup Rate78.3%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access78.6%
Healthcare Facilities896

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Safety Score

Carolina Shores has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.0°F
19% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches
28% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation38 ft (12 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²)
Population Density1,670/sq mi
Coordinates33.9079°N, 78.5731°W
County FIPS45051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 27.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.8%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.7%
18% below US avg
High School+98.7%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,670/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities896
Restaurants1,398
Retail Stores1,849

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home14.3%

Nearby Cities

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