Living in Calabash, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Calabash · Census data 2020–2024
Calabash has 2,377 residents with a median age of 56. The median household income is $65,310 (10% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $253,200, the median rent is $1,360/month.
Calabash at a glance
- Population
- 2,377
- Median age
- 56State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $65,310State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $253,200State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,360/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 69.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22.1%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Calabash a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 12% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 10% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Calabash
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Calabash the median home value is $253,200, 24% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,360 per month, which is 38% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,253 a month in housing costs.
Calabash median household income
The median household income in Calabash is $65,310 and the income per person is $37,052. 17.6% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Calabash: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,768
- Owner-occupied
- 69.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 30.3%
- Vacant
- 35.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1995
- Average household size
- 2.08
35.4% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Calabash has many vacation and second homes.
Calabash demographics
- Population
- 2,377
- Median age
- 56
- Under 18
- 10.6%
- 65 and older
- 32.1%
- Households
- 1,142
- Foreign-born
- 3.4%
- Veterans
- 8.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Calabash ›
Education in Calabash
22.1% of adults 25 and older in Calabash have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 9.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Calabash
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 16.4%
- Drive alone
- 72.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.2%
Calabash vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calabash | 2,377 | $65,310 | $253,200 | $1,360 |
| Carolina Shores | 5,017 | $76,087 | $288,600 | $1,973 |
| Sunset Beach | 4,351 | $81,976 | $410,900 | $537 |
| Little River | 11,771 | $65,786 | $305,800 | $1,528 |
| Ocean Isle Beach | 903 | $96,786 | $835,500 | — |
| North Myrtle Beach | 19,855 | $72,722 | $416,900 | $1,263 |
| Shallotte | 4,639 | $88,367 | $349,500 | $1,256 |
| Atlantic Beach | 237 | $33,500 | $385,000 | $1,083 |
| Holden Beach | 962 | $116,250 | $658,900 | $1,475 |
More for people moving to Calabash
Calabash ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Calabash: FAQ
What is the median household income in Calabash, NC?
The median household income in Calabash is $65,310, 10% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Calabash?
The median home value in Calabash is $253,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Calabash?
The median gross rent in Calabash is $1,360 per month, about 38% of household income.
Is Calabash, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 12% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 10% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 17.6%.
What is the median age in Calabash?
The median age in Calabash is 56 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Calabash?
The average commute to work in Calabash is 18 minutes; 16.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Calabash?
The unemployment rate in Calabash is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Calabash?
22.1% of adults in Calabash have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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