Town · North Carolina
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina
North Topsail Beach, town, in Onslow County, North Carolina. North Topsail Beach had 1,097 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.7% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,005 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 784 (±122). GEOID 3747845.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,097
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,005 · ACS 2020-2024: 784 ±122
Median household income
$121,250
±$15,655 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$473,600
±$45,001 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,268
±$195 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
Where is North Topsail Beach and what county is it in?
North Topsail Beach is a town in Onslow County, North Carolina. It covers 6.2 square miles of land, 162 residents per square mile in 2020.
North Topsail Beach is in the Jacksonville, NC metropolitan statistical area (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in North Topsail Beach, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,097 people lived in North Topsail Beach on July 1, 2025, up 8.7% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020 Census counted 1,005 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 784 (±122).
| Measure | North Topsail Beach | Onslow County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 784 ±122 | 207,906 | no clear change |
| Households | 416 ±65 | 75,265 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 1.88 ±0.15 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,785 ±216 | 87,354 | no clear change |
North Topsail Beach's population since 2000
From 843 in 2000 to 1,097 in 2025: up 30.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for North Topsail Beach as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in North Topsail Beach?
The median resident of North Topsail Beach is 60.5 years old. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.5%.
| Measure | North Topsail Beach | Onslow County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 60.5 ±2.7 | 27.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 4.7% ±3.4 pts | 24.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 36.9% ±6.8 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Male | 49.9% ±4.1 pts | 55.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5% ±4.5 pts | 14.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.1% ±5.9 pts | 64.0% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±2.0 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±5.3 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.5% ±3.8 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.1% ±1.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.3% ±2.4 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 18.2% ±4.7 pts | 21.4% | – |
| With a disability | 10.1% ±3.9 pts | 17.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.7% ±4.6 pts | 9.5% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.8% ±1.6 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 54.4% ±6.7 pts | 26.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 19.5% ±4.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.4% ±5.3 pts | 78.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 8.6% ±4.5 pts | 9.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in North Topsail Beach earn?
Half of North Topsail Beach's 416 households earn less than $121,250 a year (±$15,655), against $68,148 in Onslow County and $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $70,765 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $50,485 after inflation. 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | North Topsail Beach | Onslow County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $121,250 ±$15,655 | $68,148 | +$50,485 |
| Mean household income | $145,903 ±$23,751 | $85,766 | – |
| Per capita income | $74,947 ±$10,915 | $33,305 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 6.5% ±4.2 pts | 11.6% | −9.7 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±55.8 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 2.2% ±3.5 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.6% ±1.7 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.9% ±7.1 pts | 92.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in North Topsail Beach?
Owners occupy 94.5% of North Topsail Beach's occupied homes and renters 5.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $473,600 by its owner (±$45,001). The median renter pays $1,268 a month including utilities.
| Measure | North Topsail Beach | Onslow County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $473,600 ±$45,001 | $236,400 | +$115,837 |
| Median gross rent | $1,268 ±$195 | $1,265 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.1% ±32.5 pts | 40.4% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,418 ±$213 | $1,531 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 94.5% ±3.7 pts | 63.7% | +30.8 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 5.5% ±3.7 pts | 36.3% | – |
| Housing units | 2,785 ±216 | 87,354 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 6.4% ±5.8 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 81.9% ±9.9 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 41.5% ±3.9 pts | 65.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.9% ±1.9 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.3% ±2.7 pts | 23.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.0% ±1.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 0.5% ±1.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is North Topsail Beach building?
Builders took permits for 24 new housing units in North Topsail Beach in 2025 (24 in single-family houses), 21.9 per 1,000 residents against 7.7 across North Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in North Topsail Beach work and get to work?
55.0% of North Topsail Beach's workers drive alone and 43.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 35.1 minutes.
| Measure | North Topsail Beach | Onslow County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.2% ±6.8 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6% ±2.7 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 55.0% ±9.9 pts | 65.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 1.3% ±1.9 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±10.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Walked | 0.3% ±0.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 43.4% ±9.8 pts | 12.8% | +27.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 35.1 min ±5.0 | 22.4 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in North Topsail Beach?
1 census tract lies mostly in North Topsail Beach (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4.03Onslow County | 1,120 | $116,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in North Topsail Beach) · Census block assignment files
How does North Topsail Beach compare with other places in North Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, North Topsail Beach is the 9,912th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 328th-most populous of 549 in North Carolina.
North Topsail Beach ranks 26th of 434 places in North Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 328th | 549 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 95th | 331 |
| Residents per square mile | 434th | 443 |
| Median household income | 26th | 434 |
| Per capita income | 12th | 443 |
| Median home value | 43rd | 438 |
| Median gross rent | 115th | 395 |
| Poverty rate | 293rd | 341 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50th | 421 |
| Median age | 19th | 442 |
| Owner-occupied share | 20th | 443 |
| Work from home | 2nd | 279 |
| Travel time to work | 18th | 439 |
North Topsail Beach's figures with every place in North Carolina (CSV)
Every place in North Carolina, sortable · Compare North Topsail Beach with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for North Topsail Beach?
23 of the 57 figures for North Topsail Beach on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for North Topsail Beach are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in North Topsail Beach.