Atlantic Beach, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina had a total population of 1,719, the 362nd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $70,402, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 60.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in North Carolina.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.1x the median household income.
Atlantic Beach Quick Facts
How Atlantic Beach Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,705 | 1,719 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $58,056 | $70,402 | +21.3% |
| Median home value | $466,400 | $498,400 | +6.9% |
How Atlantic Beach Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Atlantic Beach Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Carteret County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead City | 9,806 | $56,233 | 18.1% | $357,400 |
| Beaufort | 4,689 | $53,321 | 11.2% | $354,900 |
| Newport | 4,441 | $56,351 | 10.7% | $233,600 |
| Emerald Isle | 3,934 | $89,773 | 4.9% | $603,700 |
| Cape Carteret | 2,703 | $86,136 | 6.1% | $375,700 |
| Cedar Point | 1,917 | $98,750 | 5.4% | $423,700 |
| Broad Creek | 1,836 | $57,500 | 7.8% | $244,200 |
| Pine Knoll Shores | 1,351 | $109,375 | 3.5% | $592,300 |
| Brandywine Bay | 1,313 | $105,000 | 1.2% | $371,500 |
| Harkers Island | 1,060 | $60,000 | 10.4% | $313,100 |
Cities Similar to Atlantic Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Waccamaw | 1,770 | $72,500 | $305,900 | 32.3% | 9.3% |
| Vass | 1,644 | $73,581 | $257,500 | 28.8% | 6.7% |
| Millers Creek | 1,689 | $63,125 | $227,200 | 13.1% | 18.9% |
| Sea Breeze | 1,849 | $69,942 | $405,100 | 31.4% | 6.5% |
| Broadway | 1,657 | $64,926 | $254,500 | 24.5% | 20.5% |
Population Overview
Atlantic Beach is a small community located in North Carolina, within Carteret County. The total population is 1,719. It ranks as the 362nd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Atlantic Beach is 56.6 years. This is 45% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 16.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Atlantic Beach is $70,402. This is 3% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $498,400. Housing costs are 73% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 62.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Atlantic Beach has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
60.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Atlantic Beach in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 99.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Atlantic Beach, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina has a population of 1,719 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Atlantic Beach, NC?
The median household income in Atlantic Beach is $70,402, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Atlantic Beach, NC?
The poverty rate in Atlantic Beach is 15.6%. This means approximately 268 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
Atlantic Beach's population is 86.9% White, 0.0% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Atlantic Beach, NC?
The median home value in Atlantic Beach is $498,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.1x.
How educated is Atlantic Beach, North Carolina?
60.7% of adults (25+) in Atlantic Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.