Emerald Isle town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Emerald Isle town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 3,915. It ranks as the 208th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Emerald Isle town is 58.7 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 14.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Emerald Isle town is $89,432. This is 28% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% higher. The poverty rate stands at 3.9%. This is 71% 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 1.4%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $563,600. Housing costs are 117% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 83.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% higher than the state average of 66.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Emerald Isle town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.3%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (93.2% vs 60.7%). The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 10.9%.

Education

52.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Emerald Isle town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 50% 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%. Notably, 22.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Emerald Isle 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.