Topsail Beach, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Topsail Beach is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 444. Residents earn $90,833 per year, which is 21% above the national average.

4.2 /5.0
A Great
444 Population 101/sq mi density
$90,833 Median Income $72,143 per capita
$630,500 Home Value $928,914 Zillow
$1,250 Median Rent 20.0% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$90,833 median income, 1.0% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$630,500 home value, $1,250/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
63.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $90,833
21% higher than US avg
Home Value $630,500
124% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 63.2%
88% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,250
7% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.7%
4% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.8%
77% lower than US avg

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

People

Population444
Median Age66.2 yrs
Density101/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans10.7%

Economy

A+
Median Income$90,833
Per Capita$72,143
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty2.8%
County GDP$2,516M
Commute38 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$630,500
Rent$1,250
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$928,914
Rent Burden20.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity30.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.6%
Heart Disease4.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI40 (Good)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+63.2%
High School+98.8%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute38 min
Broadband99.1%
Libraries2

Is Topsail Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Topsail Beach receives an overall livability score of 4.2 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, long commute times. Topsail 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 Topsail Beach is $90,833, 21% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Topsail Beach is $630,500, making it a premium housing market at 124% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,250 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 6.9x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Topsail Beach is a highly educated community — 63.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

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.

Topsail Beach has a population of 444 with a density of 101 people per square mile. The median age is 66.2 years, 70% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.3%).

Population

444
Total Population
101
People / sq mi
66.2yrs
Median Age
70% above US avg
4.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45%
Female 55%

Race & Ethnicity

Topsail Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Topsail Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Topsail Beach is $90,833, which is 21% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Topsail Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$90,833
21% above US avg
Per Capita Income$72,143
Avg Weekly Wage$907
IRS Avg AGI$82,055

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.8%
77% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,964
County GDP$2,516M

Business (County)

Restaurants127
Healthcare125
Retail175
Manufacturing39

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,052
16% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.64%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.9 min
Drive Alone56.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home37.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Topsail Beach is $630,500, 124% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,250 (7% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $928,914.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$630,500
124% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$928,914
Median List Price$1,120,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,120,000
$/Sq Ft$699
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops21.1%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,250
7% above US avg
Rent Burden20.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,052
16% above US avg
Effective Rate0.64%
In Topsail Beach, 30.7% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 25.6% report depression. 14.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.7%
4% below US avg
Diabetes7.1%
Heart Disease4.5%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma9.9%
COPD4.4%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity14.4%
Depression25.6%
Mental Distress15.2%
Physical Distress9.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access61.5%
Healthcare Facilities125

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Safety Score

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

Area4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²)
Population Density101/sq mi
Coordinates34.3664°N, 77.6476°W
County FIPS37141
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 63.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (88% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35-point margin. 99.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67.1%
D 32.1%

Winner: Republican by 35 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+63.2%
88% above US avg
High School+98.8%
School Test Score5.46
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density101/sq mi
Total Area4.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access99.1%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities125
Restaurants127
Retail Stores175

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.9 min
Drive Alone56.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home37.6%

Nearby Cities

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