Sunset Beach, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sunset Beach, North Carolina had a total population of 4,351, the 197th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $81,976, which is 13% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Sunset Beach Quick Facts
How Sunset 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 | 4,326 | 4,351 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $84,934 | $81,976 | -3.5% |
| Median home value | $354,300 | $410,900 | +16.0% |
How Sunset 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+)
Sunset Beach 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 |
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | 8.7% | $456,500 |
| 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 |
| 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 Sunset Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | $512,300 | 51.6% | 5.5% |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | $437,700 | 37.4% | 6.4% |
| Lillington | 4,709 | $81,760 | $247,200 | 19.3% | 4.9% |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | $200,200 | 20.1% | 5.5% |
| Pittsboro | 4,752 | $81,639 | $376,300 | 40.8% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Sunset Beach is a small community located in North Carolina, within Brunswick County. The total population is 4,351. It ranks as the 197th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sunset Beach is 69.1 years. This is 77% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 3.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 32.9% 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 Sunset Beach is $81,976. This is 13% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.8%. This is 56% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 85% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $410,900. Housing costs are 42% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 86.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sunset Beach has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (94.2% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
40.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 98.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sunset 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sunset Beach, North Carolina?
Sunset Beach, North Carolina has a population of 4,351 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sunset Beach, NC?
The median household income in Sunset Beach is $81,976, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sunset Beach, NC?
The poverty rate in Sunset Beach is 5.8%. This means approximately 250 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sunset Beach, North Carolina?
Sunset Beach's population is 94.2% White, 1.9% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sunset Beach, NC?
The median home value in Sunset Beach is $410,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Sunset Beach, North Carolina?
40.0% of adults (25+) in Sunset Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.