Emerald Isle, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Emerald Isle is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 3,915. Residents earn $89,432 per year, which is 19% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
3,915 Population 796/sq mi density
$89,432 Median Income $66,213 per capita
$563,600 Home Value $735,559 Zillow
$1,688 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
456 Violent Crime/100K 6,121 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$89,432 median income, 0.6% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.1 / 5.0
$563,600 home value, $1,688/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
456 violent crimes/100K (20% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
52.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $89,432
19% higher than US avg
Home Value $563,600
100% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 456/100K
20% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 52.0%
54% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,688
45% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.9%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.6%
83% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.8%
77% lower than US avg

How Emerald Isle Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population3,915
Median Age58.7 yrs
Density796/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

A+
Median Income$89,432
Per Capita$66,213
Unemployment0.6%
Poverty2.8%
County GDP$12,502M
Commute27 min

Housing

B
Home Value$563,600
Rent$1,688
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$735,559

Crime

F
Violent456/100K
Property6,121/100K
Murder26.9/100K
Assault349/100K
Burglary2,497/100K

Health

Obesity30.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain60.3 in/yr

Education

A+
Bachelor's+52.0%
High School+98.4%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute27 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Emerald Isle a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Emerald Isle receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Emerald Isle offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Emerald Isle is $89,432, 19% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.6%. Only 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Emerald Isle is $563,600, making it a premium housing market at 100% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,688 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. The price-to-income ratio of 6.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 456 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,121 per 100,000, 212% above the national average.

Education

Emerald Isle is a highly educated community — 52.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Emerald Isle enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Emerald Isle has a population of 3,915 with a density of 796 people per square mile. The median age is 58.7 years, 51% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.2%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

3,915
Total Population
796
People / sq mi
58.7yrs
Median Age
51% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.6%
Female 52.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Emerald Isle vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.3%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.7%
80% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Emerald Isle vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Emerald Isle is $89,432, which is 19% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Emerald Isle vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$89,432
19% above US avg
Per Capita Income$66,213
Avg Weekly Wage$902
IRS Avg AGI$58,912

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.6%
83% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.8%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,377
County GDP$12,502M

Business (County)

Restaurants418
Healthcare300
Retail570
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,811
9% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.7 min
Work from Home22.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Emerald Isle is $563,600, 100% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,688 (45% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $735,559.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$563,600
100% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$735,559
Median List Price$950,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$950,000
$/Sq Ft$474
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio96.9%
Price Drops20.5%
Inventory117

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,688
45% 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-Occupied83.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,811
9% above US avg
Effective Rate0.68%
In Emerald Isle, 30.9% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% report depression. 15.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Emerald Isle vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.9%
4% below US avg
Diabetes7.3%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure28.5%
Asthma10.2%
COPD4.6%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity15.6%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress9.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.4%
Checkup Rate78.3%
Premature Death10,505/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access56.4%
Healthcare Facilities300
Emerald Isle has a violent crime rate of 456 per 100,000 residents, 20% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,121 per 100,000 (212% above US avg). The murder rate is 26.9 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Emerald Isle vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent456.4/100K
20% above US avg
Murder26.9/100K
326% above US avg
Rape26.9/100K
Robbery53.7/100K
Assault349.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,120.8/100K
212% above US avg
Burglary2,496.6/100K
Theft3,516.8/100K
Vehicle Theft107.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Emerald Isle has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 60.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average60.4°F
12% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall60.3 inches
59% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density796/sq mi
Coordinates34.6644°N, 77.0314°W
County FIPS37133
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 52.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.5%
D 31.5%

Winner: Republican by 35.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+52.0%
54% above US avg
High School+98.4%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density796/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities300
Restaurants418
Retail Stores570

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.7 min
Work from Home22.8%

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