Surf City, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Surf City, North Carolina had a total population of 4,396, the 196th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $81,433, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Surf City Quick Facts
How Surf City 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 | 4,160 | 4,396 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $84,833 | $81,433 | -4.0% |
| Median home value | $478,600 | $512,300 | +7.0% |
How Surf City 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+)
Surf City 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 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,904 | $104,788 | 0.8% | $360,300 |
| 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 Surf City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | $410,900 | 40.0% | 5.8% |
| Ranlo | 4,617 | $78,033 | $200,200 | 20.1% | 5.5% |
| Lillington | 4,709 | $81,760 | $247,200 | 19.3% | 4.9% |
| Pittsboro | 4,752 | $81,639 | $376,300 | 40.8% | 11.7% |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | $437,700 | 37.4% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
Surf City is a small community located in North Carolina, within Onslow County. The total population is 4,396. It ranks as the 196th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Surf City is 36.9 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Surf City is $81,433. This is 12% higher than the state median of $72,388. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.5%. This is 58% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $512,300. Housing costs are 77% higher than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Surf City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.6%. The Black or African American population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
51.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 96.3%. Notably, 20.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Surf City, 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 Surf City, North Carolina?
Surf City, North Carolina has a population of 4,396 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Surf City, NC?
The median household income in Surf City is $81,433, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Surf City, NC?
The poverty rate in Surf City is 5.5%. This means approximately 241 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Surf City, North Carolina?
Surf City's population is 86.9% White, 4.3% Black, 5.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Surf City, NC?
The median home value in Surf City is $512,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.3x.
How educated is Surf City, North Carolina?
51.6% of adults (25+) in Surf City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.