City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Carolina Beach, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Carolina Beach - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

6,665
Residents
$88,239
Median income
$487,800
Median home
$1,659
Median rent (state)

Carolina Beach - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Carolina Beach lands in the 69th percentile for household income and the 28th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

69th
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
66th
percentile, median rent
28th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Carolina Beach, NC

6,665 people live in Carolina Beach, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Carolina Beach households earn a median of $88,239 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.7%. Home values in Carolina Beach run a median of $487,800, and the median resident age is 52.2 years. Educational attainment runs 47.5% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 58 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 18% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2183.0 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,659 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Carolina Beach report an average commute of 19.8 minutes, with 73.6% driving alone and 17.5% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 96.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

6,665 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$88,239 /yr

Poverty 7.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Carolina Beach compare to other US cities?

Where Carolina Beach sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 69% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 66% pricier than other cities
Safety 28% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to North Carolina alone, Carolina Beach ranks #84 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Carolina Beach against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Carolina Beach's strongest outlier among North Carolina cities

Among the 708 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Carolina Beach ranks #41 - the 94th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Carolina Beach only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#110 of 700
84th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#94 of 746
85th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#41 of 708
94th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#416 of 746
44th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#97 of 746
87th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

69thIncome percentile
28thSafety percentile

69th percentile nationally for median household income · 28th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Carolina Beach's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Carolina Beach's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 41 Avg. percentile National median
Carolina Beach's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Carolina Beach's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$487,800 16th percentile more affordable than 16% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Carolina Beach $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Carolina Beach, NC Carolina Beach, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Carolina Beach, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Carolina Beach, NC median $88,239/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Carolina Beach, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Carolina Beach, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
6,665
Median Income
$88,239
Median Home Value
$487,800
Median Age
52.2
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor force participation
56.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2183.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
332.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1850.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,500 residents6,600 residents6,700 residents6,800 residents6,900 residents7,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,571 residents 6,870 residents ▲ +4.6%
Carolina Beach's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
58
housing units authorized
Single-Family
58
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
8.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 71
2020 144
2021 157
2022 128
2023 77
2024 58

Permit volume decreased 18% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.8 minutes
Drive Alone
73.6%
Carpool
5.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.1%
Work from Home
17.5%
Other
2.6%

Based on 3,192 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Carolina Beach sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,659/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
96.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Selma
6,611 people
Marvin
6,542 people
Unionville
6,826 people
East Flat Rock
6,468 people
St. James
6,901 people
Trinity
7,066 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Carolina Beach's 6,665 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Green Knoll, NJ
6,664 people
Winthrop Harbor, IL
6,663 people
Belpre, OH
6,668 people
Raleigh Hills, OR
6,669 people
Blakely, PA
6,661 people
Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI
6,670 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Carolina Beach's $88,239 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sherrill, NY
$88,233 median income
Forest Meadows, CA
$88,250 median income
Carter Springs, NV
$88,250 median income
Dunbar, SC
$88,250 median income
Lake Caroline, VA
$88,222 median income
New Braunfels, TX
$88,257 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Carolina Beach, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Carolina Beach, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 92.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.1% White 92.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 4.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Carolina Beach compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Carolina Beach (this city) 6,665 $88,239
Selma 6,611 $37,440
Marvin 6,542 $250,001
Unionville 6,826 $92,009
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Carolina Beach, NC?

What is the population of Carolina Beach, NC? +

Carolina Beach, NC has a population of 6,665 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Carolina Beach, NC? +

In Carolina Beach, the typical household earns $88,239 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Carolina Beach? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Carolina Beach; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Carolina Beach, NC safe? +

Carolina Beach has a total crime rate of 2183.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Carolina Beach, NC? +

The median home value in Carolina Beach is $487,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.