Brunswick County, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 21st-largest in North Carolina
The population of Brunswick County, North Carolina is 145,889 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 21st-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $74,034, the median home value is $314,700, and the median age is 56.1.
The population of Brunswick County has grown 54.6% since 2010 (108,070 → 167,112), a +3.16% annualized rate.
145,889
Population
+3.16%
Annual growth
172
People / sq mi
$74,034
Median Income
$314,700
Median Home Value
Brunswick County covers 850 sq mi of land at 171.6 people per square mile.
About Brunswick County, NC
Age is the most distinctive thing about Brunswick County: a median age of 56.1, older than the national median. Brunswick County is a county in North Carolina with a population of 145,889. It ranks #21 among counties in North Carolina by population.
Households take in a median $74,034, comfortably below the US median of $78,538. Poverty is relatively low for US counties at 6.2%, below the national 12.4%. Home values run above average at $314,700, with typical rent around $1,267.
About 33.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, below the 35.0% national figure. About 12.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 26 minutes each way.
The age structure shapes everything downstream in Brunswick County — from housing demand to the mix of working-age earners reflected in the income figures above.
Brunswick County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Brunswick County had a population of 108,070 in 2010 and 167,112 in 2024, a 54.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 167,112 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 3.18%.
167,112
Population (2024)
108,070
Population (2010)
167,112
Peak (2024)
3.18%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 108,070 |
| 2011 | 110,196 |
| 2012 | 112,039 |
| 2013 | 114,977 |
| 2014 | 118,382 |
| 2015 | 122,322 |
| 2016 | 126,422 |
| 2017 | 130,996 |
| 2018 | 137,071 |
| 2019 | 142,987 |
| 2020 | 138,167 |
| 2021 | 144,869 |
| 2022 | 152,836 |
| 2023 | 159,855 |
| 2024 | 167,112 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 82.3% |
| Black or African American | 8.1% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
56.1
Median Age
51.9%
Female
48.1%
Male
33.3%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 11.8% · Seniors (65+): 33.3%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $74,034+$4,130 vs state |
| Mean household income | $98,633 |
| Per-capita income | $44,565 |
| Poverty rate | 6.2%-3.2% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.5% |
| Employment-to-population | 46.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Brunswick County is professional & business services, accounting for 21.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.9%
Drive alone
0.9%
Carpool
76.0%
Public transit
12.7%
Work from home
25.6 min
Avg commute
Housing
$314,700+$55,300 vs state
Median home value
$1,267
Median rent
83.8%
Homeownership rate
93,977
Total housing units
68.6%
Occupied
31.4%
Vacant
16.2%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.0%
With health insurance
96.7%
With broadband internet
53.8%
Foreign-born
11.2%
Veterans (18+)
15.3%
With a disability
95.3%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
93.3%
High School+
33.2%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in North Carolina
Other counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Brunswick County, North Carolina has a population of 145,889 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 21st-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 172 people per square mile.
The population of Brunswick County has grown 54.6% since 2010 (108,070 → 167,112), a +3.16% annualized rate.
The median household income in Brunswick County, North Carolina is $74,034, with mean (average) household income of $98,633 and per-capita income of $44,565. 6.2% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Brunswick County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (82.3%), Black or African American (8.1%), Hispanic or Latino (2.4%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Brunswick County, North Carolina is 56.1 years. Residents are 51.9% female and 48.1% male.
The median home value in Brunswick County is $314,700 and median monthly rent is $1,267. 83.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 93,977 total housing units, 31.4% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Brunswick County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 21.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.5%.
Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Brunswick County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.
More from North Carolina
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Full rankings of North Carolina counties
Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.