Calabash, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Calabash, North Carolina had a total population of 2,377, the 310th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $65,310, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Calabash Quick Facts
How Calabash 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 | 2,397 | 2,377 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $60,048 | $65,310 | +8.8% |
| Median home value | $202,000 | $253,200 | +25.3% |
How Calabash 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+)
Calabash Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities 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 |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | 9.2% | $187,100 |
Cities Similar to Calabash
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | $248,800 | 38.1% | 11.1% |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | $159,100 | 22.8% | 19.1% |
| Denver | 2,497 | $65,721 | $296,300 | 43.6% | 6.0% |
| Kenly | 2,359 | $57,045 | $205,200 | 7.9% | 14.4% |
| Grandy | 2,245 | $62,847 | $306,000 | 22.6% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Calabash is a small community located in North Carolina, within Brunswick County. The total population is 2,377. It ranks as the 310th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Calabash is 56.0 years. This is 43% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 10.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.1% 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 Calabash is $65,310. This is 10% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.6%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $253,200. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Calabash is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (5.5%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Asian population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
22.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% 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 85.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Calabash, 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 Calabash, North Carolina?
Calabash, North Carolina has a population of 2,377 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Calabash, NC?
The median household income in Calabash is $65,310, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Calabash, NC?
The poverty rate in Calabash is 17.6%. This means approximately 418 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Calabash, North Carolina?
Calabash's population is 78.8% White, 5.5% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Calabash, NC?
The median home value in Calabash is $253,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Calabash, North Carolina?
22.1% of adults (25+) in Calabash hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.