Living in Topsail Beach, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Topsail Beach · Census data 2020–2024
Topsail Beach has 406 residents with a median age of 68.2. The median household income is $93,250 (29% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $691,200.
Topsail Beach is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Topsail Beach at a glance
- Population
- 406
- Median age
- 68.2State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $93,250State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $691,200State: $288,900
- Homeowners
- 96.4%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 59.1%
- Average commute
- 34 min
Is Topsail Beach a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 29% higher than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 0.6%; a poverty rate of 7.6%.
Cons: Home values 139% higher than the state median; an average commute of 34 minutes.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Topsail Beach
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Topsail Beach the median home value is $691,200, 108% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,704 a month in housing costs.
Topsail Beach median household income
The median household income in Topsail Beach is $93,250 and the income per person is $73,657. 7.6% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Topsail Beach: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,330
- Owner-occupied
- 96.4%
- Renter-occupied
- 3.6%
- Vacant
- 83.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 1.85
83.5% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Topsail Beach has many vacation and second homes.
Topsail Beach demographics
- Population
- 406
- Median age
- 68.2
- Under 18
- 4.9%
- 65 and older
- 57.9%
- Households
- 220
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 9.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Topsail Beach ›
Education in Topsail Beach
59.1% of adults 25 and older in Topsail Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 25.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Topsail Beach
- Unemployment rate
- 0.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 34 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 32.3%
- Drive alone
- 58.9%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 100%
Topsail Beach vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topsail Beach | 406 | $93,250 | $691,200 | — |
| Hampstead | 9,292 | $91,745 | $402,100 | $1,216 |
| Surf City | 4,396 | $81,433 | $512,300 | $1,707 |
| Porters Neck | 7,654 | $119,979 | $569,700 | $1,503 |
| Bayshore | 2,949 | $94,632 | $525,800 | $1,532 |
| Ogden | 8,249 | $121,338 | $463,700 | $2,867 |
| Holly Ridge | 4,904 | $104,788 | $360,300 | $1,315 |
| Murraysville | 16,339 | $81,167 | $320,700 | $1,777 |
| Wrightsville Beach | 2,665 | $151,563 | $1,168,700 | $2,336 |
More for people moving to Topsail Beach
Topsail Beach ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Topsail Beach: FAQ
What is the median household income in Topsail Beach, NC?
The median household income in Topsail Beach is $93,250, 29% 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 Topsail Beach?
The median home value in Topsail Beach is $691,200, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
Is Topsail Beach, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 29% higher than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 0.6%; a poverty rate of 7.6%. Minuses: home values 139% higher than the state median; an average commute of 34 minutes.
What is the median age in Topsail Beach?
The median age in Topsail Beach is 68.2 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Topsail Beach?
The average commute to work in Topsail Beach is 34 minutes; 32.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Topsail Beach?
The unemployment rate in Topsail Beach is 0.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Topsail Beach?
59.1% of adults in Topsail Beach 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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