Ocean Isle Beach, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Ocean Isle Beach is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 796. Residents earn $99,231 per year, which is 32% above the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
796 Population 211/sq mi density
$99,231 Median Income $80,685 per capita
$754,300 Home Value $522,772 Zillow
N/A 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
$99,231 median income, 0.4% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.4 / 5.0
$754,300 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
64.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $99,231
32% higher than US avg
Home Value $754,300
168% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 64.4%
91% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.7%
11% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.3%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population796
Median Age67.9 yrs
Density211/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

A+
Median Income$99,231
Per Capita$80,685
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$22,774M
Commute22 min

Housing

C
Home Value$754,300
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$522,772

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity28.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.2%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

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

Education

A+
Bachelor's+64.4%
High School+98.7%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries12

Is Ocean Isle Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ocean Isle 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, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Ocean Isle 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 Ocean Isle Beach is $99,231, which is significantly higher than the national average — 32% above $75,149. This places Ocean Isle Beach among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ocean Isle Beach is $754,300, making it a premium housing market at 168% above the U.S. median of $281,900. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Ocean Isle Beach is a highly educated community — 64.4% 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

Ocean Isle 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.

Ocean Isle Beach has a population of 796 with a density of 211 people per square mile. The median age is 67.9 years, 75% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98.2%).

Population

796
Total Population
211
People / sq mi
67.9yrs
Median Age
75% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.6%
Female 55.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Ocean Isle Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.4%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.6%
58% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ocean Isle Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ocean Isle Beach is $99,231, which is 32% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Ocean Isle Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$99,231
32% above US avg
Per Capita Income$80,685
Avg Weekly Wage$924
IRS Avg AGI$67,849

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.3%
73% 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 Rate0.47%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Work from Home35.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Ocean Isle Beach is $754,300, 168% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $522,772.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$754,300
168% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$522,772
Median List Price$1,149,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,149,500
$/Sq Ft$523
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio96.6%
Price Drops14.5%
Inventory62

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied98.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,541
1% above US avg
Effective Rate0.47%
In Ocean Isle Beach, 28.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.2% report depression. 13.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.7%
11% below US avg
Diabetes6.8%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure26.4%
Asthma9.8%
COPD4.1%
Stroke2.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.3%
Physical Inactivity13.8%
Depression25.2%
Mental Distress14.5%
Physical Distress8.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.8%
Checkup Rate79.0%
Premature Death11,747/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access78.6%
Healthcare Facilities896

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)78

Safety Score

Ocean Isle 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)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density211/sq mi
Coordinates33.8876°N, 78.4621°W
County FIPS45051
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 64.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (91% 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+64.4%
91% 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 Density211/sq mi
Total Area3.8 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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Work from Home35.6%

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