Brunswick, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brunswick, North Carolina had a total population of 937, the 474th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $22,500, which is 69% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 64.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 69% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (64.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 5.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 33.6% is notably above the national average.
Brunswick Quick Facts
How Brunswick 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 | 981 | 937 | -4.5% |
| Median household income | $28,542 | $22,500 | -21.2% |
| Median home value | $83,900 | $82,500 | -1.7% |
How Brunswick 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brunswick Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Columbus County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 4,696 | $31,167 | 20.7% | $187,500 |
| Tabor City | 3,777 | $38,714 | 32.9% | $115,900 |
| Lake Waccamaw | 1,770 | $72,500 | 9.3% | $305,900 |
| Chadbourn | 1,352 | $45,787 | 30.6% | $135,400 |
| Sandyfield | 763 | $41,667 | 29.6% | $69,100 |
| Fair Bluff | 695 | $31,389 | 28.3% | $101,400 |
| Riegelwood | 649 | $49,583 | 11.3% | $200,300 |
| Bolton | 504 | $48,450 | 24.6% | $146,700 |
| Evergreen | 421 | N/A | 34.4% | N/A |
| Cerro Gordo | 319 | N/A | 25.1% | $189,900 |
Cities Similar to Brunswick
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five Points | 940 | N/A | $344,100 | 22.2% | 21.7% |
| Bonnetsville | 1,063 | N/A | N/A | 5.1% | 62.8% |
| Hoffman | 821 | N/A | $72,900 | 7.0% | 58.2% |
| South Henderson | 981 | $28,558 | N/A | 6.9% | 44.3% |
| Rodanthe | 781 | N/A | N/A | 28.2% | 2.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 937, Brunswick's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Brunswick is a small community located in North Carolina, within Columbus County. The total population is 937. It ranks as the 474th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brunswick is 38.7 years. This is 1% lower than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 11.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brunswick is $22,500. This is 69% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 72% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 64.5%. This is 395% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 33.6%. This is 612% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $82,500. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 40.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Brunswick is Black or African American, making up 70.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.1%) is well below the state average of 60.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (70.0% vs 20.0%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
5.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 85% 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 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, North Carolina?
Brunswick, North Carolina has a population of 937 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brunswick, NC?
The median household income in Brunswick is $22,500, which is 72% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brunswick, NC?
The poverty rate in Brunswick is 64.5%. This means approximately 242 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brunswick, North Carolina?
Brunswick's population is 22.1% White, 70.0% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brunswick, NC?
The median home value in Brunswick is $82,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Brunswick, North Carolina?
5.3% of adults (25+) in Brunswick hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.