City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

North Topsail Beach, NC

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

699
Residents
$106,818
Median income
$453,500
Median home
$1,173
Median rent (state)

North Topsail Beach - the verdict

Nationally, North Topsail Beach sits in the 82nd percentile for household income and the 47th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

82nd
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
34th
percentile, median rent
47th
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: North Topsail Beach, NC

699 people live in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $106,818 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.9%. Typical homes in North Topsail Beach are valued around $453,500, and the median resident age is 60.6 years. About 52.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 46.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 47 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 52% from five years earlier. North Topsail Beach reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1467.9 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures 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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,173 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 95.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

699 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$106,818 /yr

Poverty 3.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does North Topsail Beach compare to other US cities?

North Topsail Beach measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 82% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% pricier than other cities
Safety 47% 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, North Topsail Beach ranks #46 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 North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach's strongest outlier among North Carolina cities

Among the 708 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, North Topsail Beach ranks #48 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares North Topsail Beach only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#62 of 700
91st percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#340 of 746
53rd percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#48 of 708
93rd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#550 of 746
26th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#75 of 746
90th 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.

82ndIncome percentile
47thSafety percentile

82nd percentile nationally for median household income · 47th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

North Topsail Beach's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

North Topsail 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 57 Avg. percentile National median
North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach's home value compares nationally

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

$453,500 18th percentile more affordable than 18% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. North Topsail 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 - North Topsail Beach, NC North Topsail Beach, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach, NC median $106,818/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%
North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 52.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.2%

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

Population
699
Median Income
$106,818
Median Home Value
$453,500
Median Age
60.6
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Labor force participation
46.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
52.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1467.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1467.9
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,000 residents1,050 residents1,100 residents1,150 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,010 residents 1,097 residents ▲ +8.6%
North Topsail Beach's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
47
housing units authorized
Single-Family
44
detached homes
Multifamily
3
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
67.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 31
2020 27
2021 74
2022 71
2023 50
2024 47

Permit volume increased 52% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
53.9%
Carpool
1.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
44.9%

Based on 321 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 North Topsail Beach sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,173/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Grantsboro
698 people
Elk Park
694 people
Kelly
706 people
Hightsville
707 people
Northwest
690 people
Ocracoke
709 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to North Topsail Beach's 699 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Raleigh, FL
699 people
North Lynbrook, NY
699 people
Lake Winola, PA
699 people
Hill City, SD
699 people
Hometown, WV
699 people
Mill Creek, WV
699 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to North Topsail Beach's $106,818 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Faucett, MO
$106,818 median income
Coronita, CA
$106,815 median income
Downs, IL
$106,809 median income
Johnsburg, IL
$106,827 median income
Sylvan Lake, MI
$106,806 median income
Boalsburg, PA
$106,806 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.4% White 91.7% Black or African American 2.3% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 5.0% 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 North Topsail 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
North Topsail Beach (this city) 699 $106,818
Grantsboro 698 $62,292
Elk Park 694 $44,350
Kelly 706 $51,155
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about North Topsail Beach, NC?

What is the population of North Topsail Beach, NC? +

The population of North Topsail Beach, NC stands at 699 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in North Topsail Beach runs $106,818, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in North Topsail Beach? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for North Topsail 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 North Topsail Beach, NC safe? +

North Topsail Beach has a total crime rate of 1467.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 North Topsail Beach, NC? +

North Topsail Beach's median home value sits at $453,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.