RANK #760 / 996 · POP 139,721 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%
Brunswick County, North Carolina, is known for its extensive coastline, featuring six distinct beaches across five barrier islands, including popular destinations like Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Holden Beach. Located in the southeastern part of the state, it sits between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The community offers a coastal lifestyle with a relaxed atmosphere. Commuting to nearby Wilmington is common, particularly from towns like Leland and Southport. The county's natural scenery includes coastal plains, salt marshes, and pine savannas, with opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, and exploring places like the Green Swamp Preserve.
Life in Brunswick County attracts a mix of retirees and families, drawn by the coastal environment. The public school system serves over 13,000 students and is considered above average. While public transportation options are limited, Brunswick Transit System offers a Dial-a-Ride program, and private services cover areas where rideshares are scarce. The economy is experiencing growth, with new residential and commercial developments. Major investment is occurring in sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing, contributing to job creation.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Epsilon Advanced Materials Manufacturing Facility
Epsilon Advanced Materials, Inc.
|
$650M | Planned |
|
Utility-Scale Solar Capacity
Various (e.g., Cypress Creek Renewables, United Renewable Energy LLC)
|
$556M | Approved |
|
Maco Road Planned Development Site
Strategic Real Estate Partners LLC
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Carolina Long Bay Offshore Wind Project (Duke Energy Renewables Wind, LLC portion)
Duke Energy Renewables Wind, LLC
|
$155M | Proposed |
|
Community Battery Energy Storage Systems
North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives (including BEMC)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Brunswick County has a Boom Town Index score of 24/100, ranking #760 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +4.3% and a median household income of $71,193, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Brunswick County is $284,100 with median rent at $1,187/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2506, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +4.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +4.3%. Home values changed -0.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.34% of Brunswick County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.