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Carolina Beach town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Carolina Beach town, North Carolina has a total population of 6,665, the 135th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $88,239, which is 26% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.

Key Takeaways

Carolina Beach town Quick Facts

Population 6,665
Median Household Income $88,239
Median Home Value $487,800
Poverty Rate 8.4%
Unemployment Rate 9.0%
Median Age 52.2 years
Homeownership Rate 79.4%
Affordability Ratio 5.5x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 47.5%
High School Graduation Rate 98.4%
Diversity Index 20/100
Population 6,665 135th of 774
Median Income $88,239 top 20%
Poverty Rate 8.4% 32% lower national
Median Home Value $487,800 top 10%

How Carolina Beach town Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

9.0% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
62.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 79.4%
Renter 20.6%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.5x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

20out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 57 | National average: 60

Education

Carolina Beach town Rankings in North Carolina

#135 Population of 774
#113 Median Income of 774
#98 Education of 774
#42 Home Value of 774

Cities Similar to Carolina Beach town

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Unionville town6,826$92,009$312,20025.6%9.4%
Mills River town7,214$88,359$358,50041.3%2.0%
Trinity city7,066$80,349$187,70019.8%10.4%
Silver Lake CDP6,242$73,277$287,50031.0%10.5%
St. James town6,901$113,670$599,30065.7%5.5%

Population Overview

Carolina Beach town is a small city located in North Carolina. The total population is 6,665. It ranks as the 135th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carolina Beach town is 52.2 years. This is 34% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Carolina Beach town is $88,239. This is 26% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $487,800. Housing costs are 88% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 79.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Carolina Beach town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.

Education

47.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 98.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carolina Beach town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Carolina Beach town, North Carolina?

Carolina Beach town, North Carolina has a population of 6,665 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Carolina Beach town, NC?

The median household income in Carolina Beach town is $88,239, which is 12% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Carolina Beach town, NC?

The poverty rate in Carolina Beach town is 8.4%. This means approximately 562 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Carolina Beach town, North Carolina?

Carolina Beach town's population is 89.1% White, 0.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in Carolina Beach town, NC?

The median home value in Carolina Beach town is $487,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.

How educated is Carolina Beach town, North Carolina?

47.5% of adults (25+) in Carolina Beach town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.