Holden Beach, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Holden Beach is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,047. Residents earn $110,000 per year, which is 46% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
1,047 Population 346/sq mi density
$110,000 Median Income $70,728 per capita
$562,500 Home Value $899,087 Zillow
$1,375 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$110,000 median income, 1.2% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$562,500 home value, $1,375/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
71.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $110,000
46% higher than US avg
Home Value $562,500
100% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 71.2%
111% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,375
18% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.2%
12% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.5%
72% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,047
Median Age63.8 yrs
Density346/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

A+
Median Income$110,000
Per Capita$70,728
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty3.5%
County GDP$22,774M
Commute21 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$562,500
Rent$1,375
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$899,087

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property13,548/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary9,032/100K

Health

Obesity28.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease4.3%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain56.5 in/yr
Elevation1 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+71.2%
High School+98.7%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute21 min
EV Stations1
Libraries12

Is Holden Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Holden Beach receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. 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. Holden Beach stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Holden Beach is $110,000, which is significantly higher than the national average — 46% above $75,149. This places Holden Beach among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Holden Beach is $562,500, making it a premium housing market at 100% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,375 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Holden Beach 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 13,548 per 100,000, 591% above the national average.

Education

Holden Beach is a highly educated community — 71.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above 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

Holden Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 56.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Holden Beach has a population of 1,047 with a density of 346 people per square mile. The median age is 63.8 years, 64% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.3%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

1,047
Total Population
346
People / sq mi
63.8yrs
Median Age
64% above US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Holden Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.7%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Holden Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Holden Beach is $110,000, which is 46% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Holden Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$110,000
46% above US avg
Per Capita Income$70,728
Avg Weekly Wage$924
IRS Avg AGI$67,849

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.5%
72% 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 Rate0.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.4 min
Work from Home16.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Holden Beach is $562,500, 100% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,375 (18% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $899,087.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$562,500
100% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$899,087
Median List Price$1,450,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,450,000
$/Sq Ft$556
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio95.5%
Price Drops12.1%
Inventory66

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,375
18% 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-Occupied93.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Rate0.63%
In Holden Beach, 28.2% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.6% report depression. 13.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.2%
12% below US avg
Diabetes6.6%
Heart Disease4.3%
High Blood Pressure26.0%
Asthma10.1%
COPD3.9%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity13.1%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress14.4%
Physical Distress8.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate79.5%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access78.6%
Healthcare Facilities896
Holden Beach has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 13,548 per 100,000 (591% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Holden Beach 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 Property13,548.4/100K
591% above US avg
Burglary9,032.3/100K
Theft4,516.1/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Holden Beach has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 56.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.4°F
17% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall56.5 inches
49% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1 ft (0 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²)
Population Density346/sq mi
Coordinates33.9120°N, 78.3208°W
County FIPS45051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 71.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (111% above 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+71.2%
111% above US avg
High School+98.7%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density346/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities896
Restaurants1,398
Retail Stores1,849

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.4 min
Work from Home16.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare Holden Beach with another city: