Living in Oak Island, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Oak Island · Census data 2020–2024
Oak Island has 9,030 residents with a median age of 62.3. The median household income is $85,872 (19% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $456,500, the median rent is $1,339/month.
Oak Island at a glance
- Population
- 9,030
- Median age
- 62.3State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $85,872State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $456,500State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,339/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 89.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 43.6%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Oak Island a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 19% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3%; a poverty rate of 8.7%.
Cons: Home values 58% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Oak Island
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Oak Island the median home value is $456,500, 37% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,339 per month, which is 44.6% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,968 a month in housing costs.
Oak Island median household income
The median household income in Oak Island is $85,872 and the income per person is $64,025. 8.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Oak Island: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,805
- Owner-occupied
- 89.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 10.3%
- Vacant
- 57.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1997
- Average household size
- 1.96
57.4% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Oak Island has many vacation and second homes.
Oak Island demographics
- Population
- 9,030
- Median age
- 62.3
- Under 18
- 7.1%
- 65 and older
- 42%
- Households
- 4,602
- Foreign-born
- 1.8%
- Veterans
- 12.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Oak Island ›
Education in Oak Island
43.6% of adults 25 and older in Oak Island have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 16.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Oak Island
- Unemployment rate
- 3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 24.9%
- Drive alone
- 66.9%
- Public transit
- 1.3%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.7%
Oak Island vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Island | 9,030 | $85,872 | $456,500 | $1,339 |
| St. James | 7,072 | $116,383 | $636,800 | — |
| Caswell Beach | 491 | $130,750 | $648,400 | — |
| Southport | 4,205 | $87,641 | $437,700 | $1,426 |
| Varnamtown | 782 | $54,844 | $293,800 | $1,087 |
| Bald Head Island | 190 | $209,219 | $1,367,200 | — |
| Boiling Spring Lakes | 6,347 | $62,676 | $292,300 | $1,385 |
| Bolivia | 247 | $57,159 | $290,000 | $1,167 |
| Holden Beach | 962 | $116,250 | $658,900 | $1,475 |
More for people moving to Oak Island
Oak Island ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Oak Island: FAQ
What is the median household income in Oak Island, NC?
The median household income in Oak Island is $85,872, 19% higher 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 Oak Island?
The median home value in Oak Island is $456,500, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Oak Island?
The median gross rent in Oak Island is $1,339 per month, about 44.6% of household income.
Is Oak Island, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 19% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3%; a poverty rate of 8.7%. Minuses: home values 58% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Oak Island?
The median age in Oak Island is 62.3 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Oak Island?
The average commute to work in Oak Island is 23 minutes; 24.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Oak Island?
The unemployment rate in Oak Island is 3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Oak Island?
43.6% of adults in Oak Island 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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