County · North Carolina
Brunswick County, North Carolina
Brunswick County, North Carolina. Brunswick County had 174,702 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 27.8% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 19 places (19 cities, villages and boroughs) and 44 census tracts. GEOID 37019.
Brunswick County is one of the 3 counties of the Wilmington, NC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
174,702
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 136,693 · ACS 2020-2024: 152,568
Median household income
$77,024
±$2,734 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$349,800
±$6,851 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,351
±$52 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Brunswick County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 136,693 residents in Brunswick County. The Census Bureau estimates 174,702 for July 1, 2025, up 27.8% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 152,568 over 850 square miles of land.
| Measure | Brunswick County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 152,568 | 10,730,404 | +20,753 |
| Households | 69,124±1,093 | 4,282,345 | +13,068 |
| Average household size | 2.19±0.03 | 2.44 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 99,077±98 | 4,895,668 | +9,709 |
Brunswick County's population since 2000
From 73,143 in 2000 to 174,702 in 2025: up 138.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Brunswick County?
Brunswick County holds 19 places: 19 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Leland with 35,731 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Leland | 22,908 | $91,977 |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Island | 8,396 | $85,872 |
| St. James | 6,529 | $116,383 |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 5,943 | $62,676 |
| Carolina Shores | 4,588 | $76,087 |
| Shallotte | 4,185 | $88,367 |
| Sunset Beach | 4,175 | $81,976 |
| Southport | 3,971 | $87,641 |
| Belville | 2,406 | $81,944 |
| Calabash | 2,011 | $65,310 |
| Navassa | 1,367 | $62,000 |
| Holden Beach | 921 | $116,250 |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 867 | $96,786 |
| Northwest | 703 | $53,214 |
| VarnamtownGEOID 3769795 | 525 | $54,844 |
| Caswell Beach | 395 | $130,750 |
| Bald Head Island | 268 | $209,219 |
| Sandy Creek | 248 | $61,250 |
| BoliviaGEOID 3706820 | 149 | $57,159 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Brunswick County?
The median resident of Brunswick County is 56.4 years old; 14.0% are under 18 and 33.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 8.3%. 3.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brunswick County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 56.4±0.3 | 39.1 | +2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 14.0% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 33.8%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.6% | 11.3% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.8%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −1.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 8.3%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | −1.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0%±0.5 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.6%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.0%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.8%±0.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 15.6%±0.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.5%±0.8 pts | 9.9% | −2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±0.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.7%±1.2 pts | 35.7% | +4.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.7%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Brunswick County earn?
Half of Brunswick County's 69,124 households earn less than $77,024 a year (±$2,734), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $71,671 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,353 after inflation. 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brunswick County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $77,024±$2,734 | $72,388 | +$5,353 |
| Mean household income | $100,289±$3,021 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $45,985±$1,505 | $41,385 | +$4,988 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.2%±1.0 pts | 13.0% | −2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.1%±3.5 pts | 17.7% | −5.6 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5%±0.9 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.3%±1.0 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 Brunswick County?
Owners occupy 84.6% of Brunswick County's occupied homes and renters 15.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $349,800 by its owner (±$6,851). The median renter pays $1,351 a month including utilities, and 46.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brunswick County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $349,800±$6,851 | $288,900 | +$88,647 |
| Median gross rent | $1,351±$52 | $1,228 | +$170 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 46.3%±5.3 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,673±$31 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 84.6%±1.2 pts | 66.6% | +3.9 pts |
| Housing units | 99,077±98 | 4,895,668 | +9,709 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 27.9%±3.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.5%±1.1 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.2%±1.0 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.8%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
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 Brunswick County building?
Builders took permits for 4,457 new housing units across Brunswick County in 2025 (4,454 single-family), 25.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Brunswick County get to work?
74.5% of Brunswick County's workers drive alone and 14.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Brunswick County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.1%±0.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.5%±1.7 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±1.1 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.7%±1.3 pts | 16.3% | +7.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.7 min±0.8 | 25.1 min | +1.4 min |
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 are Brunswick County's census tracts?
Brunswick County is divided into 44 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $42,039 (Tract 204.09) to $209,219 (Tract 203.07).
All 44 census tracts of Brunswick County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Brunswick County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 1st of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th of 100 |
| Median household income | 16th of 100 |
| Median home value | 16th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 94th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18th of 100 |
| Median age | 1st of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Brunswick County 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' school search.