Town Creek
RANK #683 / 996 NAT · #33 / 51 NC · POP 139,721
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
At 31/100, Brunswick County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $71,193 combined with job growth of +4.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Brunswick County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $284,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,187/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Brunswick County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +4.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +4.3% clip. Home values shifted -0.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.34% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Brunswick County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.