Carolina Shores town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Carolina Shores town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 4,843. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Carolina Shores town is 65.6 years. This is 68% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 6.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 21.3% 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 Carolina Shores town is $74,310. This is 6% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 3.0%. This is 77% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $276,000. Housing costs are 6% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 94.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Carolina Shores town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (92.7% vs 60.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

27.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower 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 98.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Carolina Shores 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.