Carolina Beach, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carolina Beach, North Carolina had a total population of 6,745, the 137th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $94,398, which is 30% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 30% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
Carolina Beach Quick Facts
How Carolina 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 | 6,665 | 6,745 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $88,239 | $94,398 | +7.0% |
| Median home value | $487,800 | $566,200 | +16.1% |
How Carolina 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+)
Carolina Beach Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in New Hanover County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 120,805 | $66,738 | 16.0% | $383,800 |
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | 4.5% | $320,700 |
| Myrtle Grove | 12,637 | $113,463 | 6.2% | $439,100 |
| Kings Grant | 9,003 | $62,232 | 14.7% | $300,700 |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | 4.8% | $463,700 |
| Porters Neck | 7,654 | $119,979 | 3.8% | $569,700 |
| Silver Lake | 6,563 | $76,756 | 9.7% | $325,500 |
| Wrightsboro | 6,287 | $78,450 | 10.7% | $255,700 |
| Northchase | 5,896 | $59,375 | 22.3% | $318,400 |
| Skippers Corner | 3,792 | $72,297 | 28.3% | $247,500 |
Cities Similar to Carolina Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionville | 6,954 | $96,028 | $336,200 | 25.8% | 9.4% |
| Trinity | 7,111 | $82,664 | $216,600 | 20.1% | 11.7% |
| Silver Lake | 6,563 | $76,756 | $325,500 | 32.2% | 9.7% |
| Mills River | 7,281 | $105,398 | $436,100 | 43.7% | 2.6% |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | $636,800 | 68.3% | 4.3% |
Population Overview
Carolina Beach is a small city located in North Carolina, within New Hanover County. The total population is 6,745. It ranks as the 137th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carolina Beach is 53.2 years. This is 36% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 13.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carolina Beach is $94,398. This is 30% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 17% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 54% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.8%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $566,200. Housing costs are 96% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x. 84.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carolina Beach has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
50.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 99.0%. Notably, 15.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carolina 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.
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, North Carolina?
Carolina Beach, North Carolina has a population of 6,745 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carolina Beach, NC?
The median household income in Carolina Beach is $94,398, which is 17% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carolina Beach, NC?
The poverty rate in Carolina Beach is 6.0%. This means approximately 407 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carolina Beach, North Carolina?
Carolina Beach's population is 87.5% White, 0.0% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carolina Beach, NC?
The median home value in Carolina Beach is $566,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.0x.
How educated is Carolina Beach, North Carolina?
50.5% of adults (25+) in Carolina Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.