Surf City town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Surf City town, North Carolina has a total population of 4,160, the 200th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $84,833, which is 21% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.9%.
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.9% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Surf City town Quick Facts
How Surf City town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Surf City town Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Cities Similar to Surf City town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southport city | 4,143 | $82,792 | $394,900 | 34.7% | 5.3% |
| Sunset Beach town | 4,326 | $84,934 | $354,300 | 39.7% | 6.0% |
| Emerald Isle town | 3,915 | $89,432 | $563,600 | 52.0% | 3.9% |
| Bethlehem CDP | 3,928 | $78,963 | $290,600 | 40.9% | 3.9% |
| Newport town | 4,428 | $76,091 | $245,300 | 21.5% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Surf City town is a small community located in North Carolina. The total population is 4,160. It ranks as the 200th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Surf City town is 39.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Surf City town is $84,833. This is 21% higher than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 8% higher. The poverty rate stands at 4.9%. This is 63% 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 1.7%. This is 65% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $478,600. Housing costs are 85% higher than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x. 76.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Surf City town has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%. The Black or African American population (4.4%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
50.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 97.6%. Notably, 21.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Surf City 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Surf City town, North Carolina?
Surf City town, North Carolina has a population of 4,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Surf City town, NC?
The median household income in Surf City town is $84,833, which is 8% higher the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Surf City town, NC?
The poverty rate in Surf City town is 4.9%. This means approximately 202 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Surf City town, North Carolina?
Surf City town's population is 86.4% White, 4.4% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Surf City town, NC?
The median home value in Surf City town is $478,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.6x.
How educated is Surf City town, North Carolina?
50.8% of adults (25+) in Surf City town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.