Oak Island, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Oak Island is a small city in North Carolina with a population of 8,888. Residents earn $83,483 per year, which is 11% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
8,888 Population 461/sq mi density
$83,483 Median Income $59,851 per capita
$407,400 Home Value $557,249 Zillow
$1,208 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
273 Violent Crime/100K 4,250 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$83,483 median income, 1.7% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$407,400 home value, $1,208/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
273 violent crimes/100K (28% below avg)
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
43.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $83,483
11% higher than US avg
Home Value $407,400
45% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 273/100K
28% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 43.0%
28% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,208
4% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.6%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.7%
46% lower than US avg

How Oak Island Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population8,888
Median Age61.5 yrs
Density461/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A+
Median Income$83,483
Per Capita$59,851
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty6.7%
County GDP$22,774M
Commute23 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$407,400
Rent$1,208
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$557,249

Crime

F
Violent273/100K
Property4,250/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault273/100K
Burglary1,544/100K

Health

Obesity30.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain54.6 in/yr
Elevation13 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+43.0%
High School+96.9%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute23 min
EV Stations3
Libraries12

Is Oak Island a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Oak Island 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, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Oak Island offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Oak Island is $83,483, 11% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Oak Island is $407,400, 45% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,208 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Oak Island is below the national average at 273 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,250 per 100,000, 117% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 43.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Oak Island enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Oak Island has a population of 8,888 with a density of 461 people per square mile. The median age is 61.5 years, 58% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.2%).

Population

8,888
Total Population
461
People / sq mi
61.5yrs
Median Age
58% above US avg
19.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48%
Female 52%

Race & Ethnicity

Oak Island vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Oak Island vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Oak Island is $83,483, which is 11% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Oak Island vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$83,483
11% above US avg
Per Capita Income$59,851
Avg Weekly Wage$924
IRS Avg AGI$67,849

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.7%
46% 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 Rate0.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.8 min
Work from Home21.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Oak Island is $407,400, 45% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,208 (4% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $557,249.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$407,400
45% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$557,249
Median List Price$769,999

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$769,999
$/Sq Ft$399
Homes Sold33
Sale-to-List Ratio96.9%
Price Drops14.3%
Inventory252

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,208
4% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,100

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied87.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Rate0.87%
In Oak Island, 30.6% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 17.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Oak Island vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.6%
5% below US avg
Diabetes7.7%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma10.5%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity17.0%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress10.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.2%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access78.6%
Healthcare Facilities896
Oak Island has a violent crime rate of 273 per 100,000 residents, 28% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,250 per 100,000 (117% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Oak Island vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent273.3/100K
28% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault273.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,250.4/100K
117% above US avg
Burglary1,544.4/100K
Theft2,637.7/100K
Vehicle Theft68.3/100K
Arson13.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Oak Island has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

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)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.6 inches
44% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation13 ft (4 m)
Area19.3 sq mi (49.9 km²)
Population Density461/sq mi
Coordinates33.9133°N, 78.1198°W
County FIPS45051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 43.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% 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+43.0%
28% above US avg
High School+96.9%
School Test Score5.46
A Education Grade (4.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density461/sq mi
Total Area19.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries12
Healthcare Facilities896
Restaurants1,398
Retail Stores1,849

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.8 min
Work from Home21.4%

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