North Carolina · Metropolitan Area
Sunset Beach is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 4,326. Residents earn $84,934 per year, which is 13% above the national average.
Based on current data, Sunset Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.6 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. Sunset Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Sunset Beach is $84,934, 13% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 3.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Sunset Beach is $354,300, 26% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $541 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Sunset Beach is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 27 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,531 per 100,000, 29% above the national average.
Educational attainment is solid, with 39.7% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Sunset Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 97.0% |
| 24% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 3.0% |
| 78% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $84,934 |
| 13% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $57,493 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $924 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $67,849 |
| Unemployment | 0.7% |
| 81% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 3.5% |
| 72% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 12,484 |
| County GDP | $22,774M |
| Restaurants | 1,398 |
| Healthcare | 896 |
| Retail | 1,849 |
| Manufacturing | 171 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,541 |
| 1% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.00% |
| Commute Time | 19.4 min |
| Work from Home | 19.7% |
| Census Median | $354,300 |
| 26% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $435,276 |
| Median List Price | $638,485 |
| Median List Price | $638,485 |
| $/Sq Ft | $253 |
| Homes Sold | 20 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.3% |
| Price Drops | 23.6% |
| Inventory | 140 |
| Census Median Rent | $541 |
| 53% below US avg | |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,591 |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 87.4% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,541 |
| 1% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 1.00% |
| Obesity | 30.6% |
| 5% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 7.8% |
| Heart Disease | 4.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 27.9% |
| Asthma | 10.4% |
| COPD | 5.2% |
| Stroke | 2.5% |
| Binge Drinking | 18.4% |
| Physical Inactivity | 17.9% |
| Depression | 26.3% |
| Mental Distress | 16.5% |
| Physical Distress | 10.5% |
| Insurance Rate | 97.9% |
| Checkup Rate | 78.3% |
| Premature Death | 11,747/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.6/10 |
| Exercise Access | 78.6% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 896 |
| Total Violent | 26.6/100K |
| 93% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 26.6/100K |
| Total Property | 2,530.6/100K |
| 29% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 1,411.8/100K |
| Theft | 1,038.9/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 79.9/100K |
| Arson | 26.6/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 78 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 64.0°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 48.5 inches |
| 28% above US avg |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 6.8 sq mi (17.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 640/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8948°N, 78.5050°W |
| County FIPS | 45051 |
Winner: Republican by 38.6 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.7% |
| 18% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 98.5% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 2 | Metro — 250K–1M |
| Population Density | 640/sq mi |
| Total Area | 6.8 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 1 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 1 |
| Public Libraries | 12 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 896 |
| Restaurants | 1,398 |
| Retail Stores | 1,849 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 78 |
| Avg Commute | 19.4 min |
| Work from Home | 19.7% |