Brunswick County, NC

County

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2021 Population

133,789

2.56% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

55.2

0.914% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

10.2%

8.01% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$64,400

7.76% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$238,800

8.35% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

53,281

1.23% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Brunswick County, NC had a population of 134k people with a median age of 55.2 and a median household income of $64,400. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Brunswick County, NC declined from 137,303 to 133,789, a −2.56% decrease and its median household income grew from $59,763 to $64,400, a 7.76% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Brunswick County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (81.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.46%), White (Hispanic) (2.05%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.68%).

None of the households in Brunswick County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.6% of the residents in Brunswick County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Brunswick County, NC are Brunswick Community College (502 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Brunswick County, NC was $238,800, and the homeownership rate was 82.6%.

Most people in Brunswick County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Brunswick County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Brunswick County, NC borders Columbus County, NC, New Hanover County, NC, Pender County, NC, and Horry County, SC.

About the photo: A view of the Southport Yacht Basin in Southport, North Carolina in Brunswick County at the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

Photo by Gerry Dincher

United States North Carolina Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

Population & Diversity

Brunswick County, NC is home to a population of 134k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 3.48% of Brunswick County, NC residents were born outside of the country (4.66k people).

In 2021, there were 9.03 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (109k people) in Brunswick County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.63k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.6%

2021 Citizenship

98.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.6% of Brunswick County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Brunswick County, NC was 98.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Brunswick County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Brunswick County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
109k ± 640
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
12k ± 552
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
4.63k ± 846

Hispanic Population

6.69k people

5% of the people in Brunswick County, NC are hispanic (6.69k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Brunswick County, NC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

3.48%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

4.66k people

3.42%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

4.7k people

As of 2021, 3.48% of Brunswick County, NC residents (4.66k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Brunswick County, NC was 3.42%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Brunswick County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,922 ± 444
Gulf War (2001-)
2,200 ± 482
Gulf War (1990s)
1,302 ± 240

Brunswick County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.69 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Brunswick County, NC employs 53.3k people. The largest industries in Brunswick County, NC are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,537 people), Retail Trade (7,287 people), and Construction (5,547 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($79,904), Finance & Insurance ($59,886), and Information ($57,321).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

53.3k

2021 Value

± 1,899

−1.23%

1 Year decline

± 5.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Brunswick County, NC declined at a rate of −1.23%, from 53.9k employees to 53.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Brunswick County, NC, are Sales & Related Occupations (6,211 people), Management Occupations (5,377 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,344 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Brunswick County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

53.3k

2021 Value

± 1,899

−1.23%

1 Year decline

± 5.12%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Brunswick County, NC declined at a rate of −1.23%, from 53.9k employees to 53.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Brunswick County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,537 people), Retail Trade (7,287 people), and Construction (5,547 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Brunswick County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Brunswick County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$38,592

Median earning men ± $2,549

$33,335

Median earning women ± $1,531

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($81,339), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($63,169), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($60,566).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($47,058), Information ($46,029), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($44,457).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

807
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
603
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
584
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$363k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$325k
Manufacturing
$163k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound North Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound North Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that North Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Brunswick County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 61.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.712%).

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.9%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.712%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Brunswick County, NC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from North Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Brunswick County, NC awarded 502 degrees. The student population of Brunswick County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 624 male students and 1,025 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Brunswick County, NC are White (383 and 76.3%), followed by Black or African American (47 and 9.36%), Hispanic or Latino (41 and 8.17%), and Two or More Races (16 and 3.19%).

The largest universities in Brunswick County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Brunswick Community College (502 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Brunswick County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (218 and 43.4%), Information Technology (45 and 8.96%), and Other Health & Physical Education (31 and 6.18%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,649 students enrolled in Brunswick County, NC, 37.8% men and 62.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,152 records, of which 61.6% were women and 38.4% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
218 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
26 degree-majors awarded
Information Technology
12 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Brunswick County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 218 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Brunswick County, NC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Brunswick Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

502 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Brunswick Community College with 502 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 224 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Brunswick County, NC, which is 0.806 times less than the 278 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 383 degrees mean that there were 8.15 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 47 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,432) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($100) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,330) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Brunswick County, NC was $238,800 in 2021, which is 0.975 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $220,400 to $238,800, a 8.35% increase. The homeownership rate in Brunswick County, NC is 82.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Brunswick County, NC have an average commute time of 24.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Brunswick County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Brunswick County, NC is $64,400. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Brunswick County, NC was Census Tract 203.07 with a value of $121,458, followed by Census Tract 205.12 and Census Tract 203.04, with respective values of $95,909 and $95,370.

In 2022, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Brunswick County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.21%.

Housing

Property

$238,800

Median Property Value 2021

±$5,619

$47,758

Median Property Taxes

±$1,671

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Brunswick County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Brunswick County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

82.6%

Homeownership

2021

67%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 82.6% of the housing units in Brunswick County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 80.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Brunswick County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 203.07
Census Tract 205.12
Census Tract 203.04

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Brunswick County, NC was Census Tract 203.07 with a value of $121,458, followed by Census Tract 205.12 and Census Tract 203.04, with respective values of $95,909 and $95,370.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Brunswick County, NC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$64,400

Median Household Income

± $1,943

57.8k

Number of Households

± 1,933

In 2021, the median household income of the 57.8k households in Brunswick County, NC grew to $64,400 from the previous year's value of $59,763.

The following chart displays the households in Brunswick County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Brunswick County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.3%)
Worked At Home (9.45%)
Carpooled (9.15%)

In 2021, 78.3% of workers in Brunswick County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.45%) and those who carpooled to work (9.15%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Brunswick County, NC have a shorter commute time (24.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.62% of the workforce in Brunswick County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Brunswick County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Brunswick County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Brunswick County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 15.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Brunswick County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.21%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Brunswick County, NC (13.6k out of 133k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Brunswick County, NC is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 19.6% of the children was living in poverty in Brunswick County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 10.5%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 141 in Brunswick County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 82.5 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

91.1% of the population of Brunswick County, NC has health coverage, with 33.6% on employee plans, 11.8% on Medicaid, 23.7% on Medicare, 20% on non-group plans, and 2.01% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Brunswick County, NC see 2267 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.527% decrease from the previous year (2279 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2661 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1014 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,267 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Brunswick County, NC

Primary care physicians in Brunswick County, NC see an average of 2,267 patients per year. This represents a 0.527% decrease from the previous year (2,279 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Brunswick County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 15.8% under 18 years, 13.4% between 18 and 34 years, 39.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 31.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.5% were men and 52.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.93%

Uninsured

33.6%

Employer Coverage

11.8%

Medicaid

23.7%

Medicare

20%

Non-Group

2.01%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Brunswick County, NC declined by 8.01% from 9.7% to 8.93%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Brunswick County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 40.5 in Brunswick County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Brunswick County, NC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 32.3% in Brunswick County, NC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Brunswick County, NC.

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