At a Glance
Median Income
$83,483
$59,851 per capita
Home Value
$407,400
Zillow: $604,000
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
40.9% of income on rent
Violent Crime
91/100K
1,088/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
43.0%
96.9% high school+
Unemployment
3.6%
6.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
30.6%
11.6% smoking rate
How Oak Island Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Oak Island's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Oak Island a Good Place to Live?
B
3.4 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Oak Island residents earn a median household income of $83,483 , which is 11% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $59,851. The unemployment rate stands at 3.6% (0% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 12,484 business establishments, including 1,398 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Oak Island is $407,400 , 45% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $604,000. Median rent is $1,208/month, with 40.9% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1994.
Safety & Crime
Oak Island reports 91 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 76% below the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 1,088/100K.
Education
43.0% of adults in Oak Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(28% above the national average).
96.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 54.6 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population8,888
Median Age61.5 yrs
Density461/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born1.9%
Veterans12.1%
Economy
A
Median Income$83,483
Per Capita$59,851
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty6.7%
County GDP$22,774M
Avg Weekly Wage$924
Housing
B+
Home Value$407,400
Rent$1,208
Ownership87.8%
Zillow$604,000
Housing Units10,015
Rent Burden40.9%
Crime
F
Violent91/100K
Property1,088/100K
Health
Obesity30.6%
Diabetes7.7%
Smoking11.6%
Heart Disease4.9%
Premature Death11,747/100K
Climate
Avg Temp65°F
Rain54.6 in/yr
Elevation13 ft
Education
A
Bachelor's+43.0%
High School+96.9%
Graduate+16.0%
School Score5.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute23 min
Broadband95.5%
Internet Speed198 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries12
Did You Know?
Oak Island was founded in 1999.
The median home in Oak Island was built in 1994.
21.4% work from home.
The nearest airport is Wilmington International (28 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.448 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
14.3% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 198 Mbps.
There are 1,398 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 78 fatal vehicle crashes.