North Topsail Beach, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

North Topsail Beach is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 699. Residents earn $106,818 per year, which is 42% above the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
699 Population 112/sq mi density
$106,818 Median Income $76,475 per capita
$453,500 Home Value $509,032 Zillow
$1,208 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
682 Violent Crime/100K 6,139 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$106,818 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$453,500 home value, $1,208/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
682 violent crimes/100K (80% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
52.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $106,818
42% higher than US avg
Home Value $453,500
61% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 682/100K
80% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 52.7%
56% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,208
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.5%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population699
Median Age60.6 yrs
Density112/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$106,818
Per Capita$76,475
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$12,502M
Commute44 min

Housing

A
Home Value$453,500
Rent$1,208
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$509,032
Rent Burden27.5%

Crime

F
Violent682/100K
Property6,139/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault546/100K
Burglary3,001/100K

Health

Obesity30.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.0%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+52.7%
High School+98.5%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute44 min
Libraries4

Is North Topsail Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, North Topsail Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.8 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 elevated crime rates, high housing costs, long commute times. North Topsail Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in North Topsail Beach is $106,818, which is significantly higher than the national average — 42% above $75,149. This places North Topsail Beach among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in North Topsail Beach is $453,500, making it a premium housing market at 61% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,208 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 682 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,139 per 100,000, 213% above the national average.

Education

North Topsail Beach is a highly educated community — 52.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

North Topsail Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

North Topsail Beach has a population of 699 with a density of 112 people per square mile. The median age is 60.6 years, 56% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.7%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

699
Total Population
112
People / sq mi
60.6yrs
Median Age
56% above US avg
6.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.9%
Female 50.1%

Race & Ethnicity

North Topsail Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

North Topsail Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in North Topsail Beach is $106,818, which is 42% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes.

Income: North Topsail Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$106,818
42% above US avg
Per Capita Income$76,475
Avg Weekly Wage$902
IRS Avg AGI$58,912

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% 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 Rate0.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time44.1 min
Drive Alone53.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home44.9%

Walkability

The median home value in North Topsail Beach is $453,500, 61% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,208 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $509,032.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$453,500
61% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$509,032
Median List Price$577,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$577,450
$/Sq Ft$417
Homes Sold8
Sale-to-List Ratio94.6%
Price Drops14.2%
Inventory176

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,208
4% above US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied92.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,811
9% above US avg
Effective Rate0.84%
In North Topsail Beach, 30.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 24.0% report depression. 14.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.5%
5% below US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma9.7%
COPD4.5%
Stroke2.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity14.9%
Depression24.0%
Mental Distress15.3%
Physical Distress9.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.1%
Checkup Rate79.4%
Premature Death10,505/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access56.4%
Healthcare Facilities300
North Topsail Beach has a violent crime rate of 682 per 100,000 residents, 80% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,139 per 100,000 (213% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent682.1/100K
80% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape136.4/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault545.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,139.2/100K
213% above US avg
Burglary3,001.4/100K
Theft3,001.4/100K
Vehicle Theft136.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)32

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
North Topsail Beach has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average62.1°F
15% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average80°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area6.2 sq mi (16.1 km²)
Population Density112/sq mi
Coordinates34.4885°N, 77.4375°W
County FIPS37133
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 52.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% 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+52.7%
56% above US avg
High School+98.5%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density112/sq mi
Total Area6.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities300
Restaurants418
Retail Stores570

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute44.1 min
Drive Alone53.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home44.9%

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