"SandTrap" Beach house, 2005
Sunset Beach’s story
Sunset Beach in pictures
Census counts: 108 in 1970, 4,175 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 2004 and 3 maps from 1943 on.
Explore the history →
Sunset BeachNC
A town of 4,642.
1 bordering townMap →
Photo: Chris Currivan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Population
4,642
2025 Census estimate · +11.4% since 2020
Typical home
$438K
+0.3% in a year
Household income
$82K
median
Median age
69.1
years
Jobs based here
834
A commuter town
TownGrade
B
#56 of 286 in NC
Is Sunset Beach a good place to live?
Sunset Beach gives you more for your money than most places: a typical home costs about $438K, 5.7 years of the Wilmington metro’s $76K median household income. It grades B overall, ranked 56th of 286 in North Carolina. The low prices come with trade-offs. FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 92% of U.S. communities, with hurricanes at the top. Sunset Beach’s median age is 69.1 years, above both North Carolina’s towns (40.1 years) and U.S. towns (40.5 years). Among 290 North Carolina towns, just 3 have a higher January low than Sunset Beach.
WeakestD−Hazard risk
What makes Sunset Beach stand out
Where Sunset Beach beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
32 measures vs. North Carolina
17 better7 too close to call8 worse
| Widest gap | Sunset Beach | NC |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 4.4% | 12.2% |
HealthB+
Healthier than 72% of U.S. towns
Less healthyHealthier
CDC PLACES 2025 estimates.
Worth knowing · Natural hazardsD−
Hurricanes and inland flooding at the top
FEMA National Risk Index.
A growing town
Sunset Beach has grown 30% since 2010
3,572 counted in 2010 and 4,175 in 2020; an estimated 4,642 in 2025.
Growth hasn’t slowed: 11.4% since 2020, after 16.9% in the decade before.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025
How Sunset Beach grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within North Carolina), ordered by how far Sunset Beach is from typical.
Hazard riskhurricanes tops the listD−Open →HealthNovant Health Brunswick Medical Center 14.9 miles awayB+Open →Jobs & income$82K median household incomeB+Open →Cost of livingBOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6 of 20; 1.1% of households have no car; 2.3% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →SchoolsBeat 52% of North Carolina districts on tests and graduationB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2% conserved landCOpen →HistoryD−Open →Civic life4.5 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsCOpen →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market$438K typical home, up 0.3% in a year; 101 days on market–Open →Who lives here–Open →
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Sunset Beach: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Sunset Beach, and how to reach them.
PowerBrunswick Electric Member13.3¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterBrunswick County Water SystemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet5 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Sunset Beach’s trash rules yet
Register to voteOnlineIn North Carolina you can register online until 25 days before Election Day, in person with same-day registration during the early voting period, or by mail (postmarked 25 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereBrunswick County Board of ElectionsBrunswick County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2021
ZIP codes28468, 2846728468 96% · 28467 3%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Sunset Beach.
Sunset Beach trades lower home prices for longer drives to work and is a second-home town, but it carries more natural-hazard risk than most of North Carolina (mostly hurricanes).
Who lives here
60% of residents are 65 or older
38.8% of homes are seasonal or vacation homes, against 3.9% statewide, which helps explain the older median age.
People 65 and older are 60% of residents (17% statewide); adults 18 to 34 are 4% of residents (23% statewide). Sunset Beach has grown 11% since 2020, to 4,642 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate. 40% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more in Sunset Beach.
69.1median age · NC 39.1
Sunset BeachNorth CarolinaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
33%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma2%
High school27%
Some college21%
Associate’s11%
Bachelor’s26%
Graduate14%
Women and men · all residents
60% women, 40% men
About 68 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±3.5 points). Across North Carolina, 51.1% of residents are women.
| Sunset Beach | NC | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 1.8% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 1.7% | 10.2% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 1% | 9.5% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 2.6% | 13.4% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 6.7% | 12.8% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 6.4% | 12.6% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 20% | 12.8% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 26.8% | 10.3% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 32.9% | 6.9% | 7% |
| No diploma | 1.7% | 9.9% | 10.4% |
| High school | 26.8% | 24.8% | 26% |
| Some college | 21% | 19.6% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.5% | 10.1% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 25.7% | 22.2% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 14.3% | 13.5% | 14.1% |
Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates · in a town of 4,600, single groups can be off by several points
#18for trails in NC
| Sunset Beach | North Carolina towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles of trail per square mile | 1.5 miles per square mile | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Conserved land | 1.5% | 3.4% | 4.3% |
1.5%
conserved · 73 of 4,836 acres
11 mi
of trails · 1.4 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sunset Beach Park | 0.3 mi | 6 |
| 2. Bird Island Reserve | 0.1 mi | 17 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade D−
Sunset Beach faces a very high natural-hazard risk, led by hurricanes
FEMA rates its natural-hazard risk higher than 83% of North Carolina towns, with expected losses of about $1,839 per resident a year; that rating is what its D− for hazard risk is built on.
Since 1981, 72 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Sunset Beach.
92risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
HurricanesInland flooding
72
paid flood claims since 1981
12
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
With 0.7 jobs for every working resident, most of Sunset Beach’s workers commute out
Most working residents leave Sunset Beach for work: only 7% work in town. 22% of Sunset Beach workers work from home. Since 2013, Sunset Beach has added 109 jobs, to 834 in 2023.
7%work in town
| Sunset Beach | North Carolina towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 22% | 12% | 11% |
| Average trip to work | 20 minutes | 24 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Below the poverty line | 5.7% | 13% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $82,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
Where working residents work
In Sunset Beach7%
Wilmington8%
Shallotte7%
Calabash6%
Raleigh5%
28 mi
median commute distance
834
jobs based in Sunset Beach
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 46% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HousingCost of living grade B
Sunset Beach’s grade for cost of living is a B
Homes are within reach (about $438K for the typical one, B for cost of living), but half of working residents commute more than 28 miles.
The typical Sunset Beach home is worth about $438,000, about the same as a year ago, 32% above the North Carolina typical home.
$438KZillow home value
Typical home value
Sunset Beach$438K
North Carolina$332K
Market temperature
101
days on market
97.3%
sale-to-list price
+0.3%
value change, 1 year
38
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
HealthB+
A smaller share of adults in Sunset Beach report frequent mental distress than in the typical North Carolina or U.S. town
Only 2 of the 289 North Carolina towns we compare have a lower share of adults who report frequent mental distress than Sunset Beach. Sunset Beach beats the North Carolina average on 17 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 8. Among 289 North Carolina towns, just 1 have a higher share of adults who had a checkup this year than Sunset Beach.
72%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| Sunset Beach | North Carolina towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 11% | 17% | 17% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 9.1% | 15% | 16% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 49% | 38% | 35% |
| Feel lonely (CDC PLACES) | 25% | 33% | 33% |
32 measures vs. North Carolina
17 better7 too close to call8 worse
| What stands out | Sunset Beach | NC |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 4.4% | 12.2% |
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 3% | 8.1% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 17.6% | 7.9% |
Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center
14.9 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
65th
percentile among NC towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Mild winters and hot summers in Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. July afternoons reach 88°, January nights drop to 37° and snow is almost unheard of.
88°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter38–58°
Spring53–72°
Summer72–87°
Fall56–75°
Nov 17
typical first frost
Mar 20
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
88°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Safety
Crime reported in Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach's reported crime rate is well below North Carolina's. Sunset Beach’s property crime rate is 9.7 per 1,000 residents. Most reported incidents are property crimes, mainly thefts.
| Sunset Beach | North Carolina towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2024) | 9.7 per 1,000 residents | 24.2 | 11.5 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2024) | 1.1 per 1,000 residents | 3.1 | 1.7 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Sunset Beach1.1
North Carolina3.8
U.S.3.6
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Sunset Beach9.7
North Carolina20.1
U.S.17.7
5
violent crimes reported in 2024
45
property crimes reported in 2024
FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to police
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Sunset Beach
19pages on Sunset Beach
The big questions
SchoolsB−Beat 52% of NC districtsSafety1.1 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2024)HealthB+Better than NC on 17 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingB$438K typical home · up 0.3% in a yearWork & commuteB+$82K median household income · 834 jobs hereNatural hazardsD−FEMA risk higher than 92% of U.S. communities · hurricanes
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Sunset Beach; the nearest are
Brunswick Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Bolivia18.9 mi$2,553 in-state tuitionCoastal Carolina UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Conway, SC29.7 mi$11,640 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Sunset Beach residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across North Carolina.
A commuter town
93% of working residents leave Sunset Beach for work
Where Sunset Beach’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
834jobs based in Sunset Beach
7%of working residents work in town
28 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Sunset Beach
Town in North Carolina, United States
Sunset Beach is a seaside town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,175 at the 2020 census, up from 3,572 in 2010 and 1,824 in 2000. It is part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area and the southernmost beach in the state.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 7.6 sq mi
- Elevation
- 10 ft
- ZIP code
- 28468
- Area code
- 910
Sunset Beach’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Sunset Beach.
CalabashSunset Beach
How the neighbors grade
| Town | NC rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Beach | #56 | B | B | — | B− | B+ |
| Calabash | #184 | C− | C+ | — | B− | B+ |
Sunset Beach and Calabash report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Sunset Beach with a neighbor →
Questions about Sunset Beach
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Sunset Beach, NC a good place to live?
By most measures, yes. Sunset Beach grades B overall, better than 64% of U.S. towns and #56 of 286 in North Carolina. It grades B+ for health and B− for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a D−.
Is Sunset Beach, NC expensive?
Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B.