Brunswick County, North Carolina Demographics 2026
Brunswick County, North Carolina has a population of 152,568, the 19th most populous county in North Carolina. The median household income is $77,024 and the median home value is $349,800. The poverty rate is 9.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Brunswick County Quick Facts
How Brunswick County 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 | 145,889 | 152,568 | +4.6% |
| Median household income | $74,034 | $77,024 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $314,700 | $349,800 | +11.2% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Brunswick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | 6.1% | $398,900 |
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | 8.7% | $456,500 |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | 4.3% | $636,800 |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 6,347 | $62,676 | 8.6% | $292,300 |
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | 4.0% | $288,600 |
| Shallotte | 4,639 | $88,367 | 10.3% | $349,500 |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | 5.8% | $410,900 |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | 6.4% | $437,700 |
| Belville | 2,573 | $81,944 | 10.7% | $282,600 |
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | 17.6% | $253,200 |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | 9.2% | $187,100 |
| Holden Beach | 962 | $116,250 | 4.9% | $658,900 |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 903 | $96,786 | 5.3% | $835,500 |
| Northwest | 885 | $53,214 | 19.1% | $225,900 |
| Varnamtown | 782 | $54,844 | 20.0% | $293,800 |
| Caswell Beach | 491 | $130,750 | 2.2% | $648,400 |
| Sandy Creek | 300 | $61,250 | 12.7% | $151,300 |
| Bolivia | 247 | $57,159 | 7.0% | $290,000 |
| Bald Head Island | 190 | $209,219 | 6.8% | $1,367,200 |
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Population Overview
Brunswick County is located in North Carolina with a total population of 152,568. It is the 19th most populous county out of 100 in North Carolina. The county encompasses 19 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brunswick County is 56.4 years. This is 44% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.7% 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 Brunswick County is $77,024. This is 6% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.2%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 1% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $349,800. Housing costs are 21% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 84.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brunswick County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.3%. The Black or African American population (8.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
34.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% lower 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 93.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Brunswick County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against North Carolina and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Brunswick County, North Carolina?
Brunswick County has a population of 152,568, making it the 19th most populous county in North Carolina.
What is the median income in Brunswick County?
The median household income in Brunswick County is $77,024 with a poverty rate of 9.2%.
How many cities are in Brunswick County, North Carolina?
Brunswick County contains 19 Census-designated places.