Carolina Beach is a beach town in New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States, situated about 12 mi south of Wilmington International Airport in southeastern coastal North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 6,564. It is part of the Wilmington metropolitan area. The community of Wilmington Beach was annexed by the town in 2000. Carolina Beach lies at the northern end of Pleasure Island, which it shares with the community of Kure Beach, south of the inlet that separates the island from the unincorporated community of Sea Breeze. The town has a land area of 2.45 sqmi, extending along the island from Freeman Park in the north to Alabama Avenue in the south. The town borders Kure Beach, which is directly to the south of Carolina Beach. During the summer months, the town of Carolina Beach has live Beach music every Friday night on the boardwalk right near town center.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.5 sqmi.2.2 mi2 of it is land and 0.2 sqmi of it (8.13%) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 6,564 people, 2,876 households, and 1,764 families residing in the town.

2013 census estimate

At the 2013 census estimate, there were 2,296 households, and 1,253 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,086.4 /mi2. There were 4,086 housing units at an average density of 1,813.5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 98.94% White, 0.39% African American,0.50% Asian, and 0.17% from other races. There were 2,296 households, out of which 18.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03, and the average family size was 2.59. The population was spread out in the town, with 14.8% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males. The median income for a household in the town was $37,662, and the median income for a family was $44,882. Males had a median income of $31,013 versus $21,241 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,128. About 8.4% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education

The New Hanover County Schools district covers Carolina Beach. Only Carolina Beach Elementary School, founded in 1937, is located in the town. Older students are assigned to Charles P. Murray Middle School and Eugene Ashley High School in Wilmington.

History

The town was "wiped off the map" by Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Reportedly, 362 buildings were destroyed in the town.

Points of interest

Pictures