Oak Island, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oak Island, North Carolina had a total population of 9,030, the 106th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $85,872, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Oak Island Quick Facts
How Oak Island 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 | 8,888 | 9,030 | +1.6% |
| Median household income | $83,483 | $85,872 | +2.9% |
| Median home value | $407,400 | $456,500 | +12.1% |
How Oak Island 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+)
Oak Island Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Brunswick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leland | 29,607 | $91,977 | 6.1% | $398,900 |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | 4.3% | $636,800 |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 6,347 | $62,676 | 8.6% | $292,300 |
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | 4.0% | $288,600 |
| Shallotte | 4,639 | $88,367 | 10.3% | $349,500 |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | 5.8% | $410,900 |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | 6.4% | $437,700 |
| Belville | 2,573 | $81,944 | 10.7% | $282,600 |
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | 17.6% | $253,200 |
| Navassa | 2,039 | $62,000 | 9.2% | $187,100 |
Cities Similar to Oak Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hampstead | 9,292 | $91,745 | $402,100 | 38.3% | 9.5% |
| Zebulon | 8,711 | $79,112 | $320,700 | 30.9% | 9.0% |
| Aberdeen | 9,228 | $75,078 | $314,900 | 31.9% | 10.5% |
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | $298,000 | 37.1% | 5.8% |
| Black Mountain | 8,513 | $77,042 | $358,900 | 56.3% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Oak Island is a small city located in North Carolina, within Brunswick County. The total population is 9,030. It ranks as the 106th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oak Island is 62.3 years. This is 59% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 7.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.1% 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 Oak Island is $85,872. This is 19% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 6% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 34% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 37% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $456,500. Housing costs are 58% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x. 89.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Oak Island has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.1% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
43.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 96.8%. Notably, 16.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oak Island, 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 Oak Island, North Carolina?
Oak Island, North Carolina has a population of 9,030 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oak Island, NC?
The median household income in Oak Island is $85,872, which is 6% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oak Island, NC?
The poverty rate in Oak Island is 8.7%. This means approximately 779 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oak Island, North Carolina?
Oak Island's population is 94.1% White, 0.7% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oak Island, NC?
The median home value in Oak Island is $456,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.3x.
How educated is Oak Island, North Carolina?
43.6% of adults (25+) in Oak Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.