Holly Ridge, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Holly Ridge, North Carolina had a total population of 4,904, the 170th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $104,788, which is 45% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 45% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in North Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.8% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Holly Ridge Quick Facts
How Holly Ridge 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 | 4,532 | 4,904 | +8.2% |
| Median household income | $106,230 | $104,788 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $291,100 | $360,300 | +23.8% |
How Holly Ridge 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+)
Holly Ridge Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Onslow County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | 12.7% | $210,100 |
| Piney Green | 14,078 | $72,177 | 10.8% | $227,600 |
| Half Moon | 7,378 | $68,946 | 7.9% | $182,500 |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | 5.5% | $512,300 |
| Swansboro | 3,997 | $114,425 | 14.1% | $378,700 |
| Sneads Ferry | 2,728 | $79,594 | 13.3% | $269,300 |
| Richlands | 2,335 | $65,163 | 11.1% | $248,800 |
| Pumpkin Center | 1,636 | $64,102 | 2.9% | $189,600 |
| North Topsail Beach | 784 | $121,250 | 6.5% | $473,600 |
Cities Similar to Holly Ridge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midland | 4,860 | $101,477 | $369,100 | 32.9% | 4.1% |
| Boiling Springs | 4,757 | $89,875 | $265,400 | 43.8% | 2.2% |
| Midway | 4,897 | $83,446 | $274,100 | 22.5% | 5.0% |
| Pleasant Garden | 5,060 | $88,204 | $223,500 | 30.1% | 9.7% |
| Archer Lodge | 5,186 | $91,188 | $324,500 | 36.9% | 17.4% |
Population Overview
Holly Ridge is a small community located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 4,904. It ranks as the 170th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Holly Ridge is 38.1 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Holly Ridge is $104,788. This is 45% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 30% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.8%. This is 94% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $360,300. Housing costs are 25% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 88.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Holly Ridge has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
51.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% 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 93.7%. Notably, 19.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Holly Ridge, 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 Holly Ridge, North Carolina?
Holly Ridge, North Carolina has a population of 4,904 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Holly Ridge, NC?
The median household income in Holly Ridge is $104,788, which is 30% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Holly Ridge, NC?
The poverty rate in Holly Ridge is 0.8%. This means approximately 38 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Holly Ridge, North Carolina?
Holly Ridge's population is 87.1% White, 1.9% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Holly Ridge, NC?
The median home value in Holly Ridge is $360,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Holly Ridge, North Carolina?
51.4% of adults (25+) in Holly Ridge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.